Decomposition is the process by which dead plants and animals are broken down. This process provides nutrients for the soil. If we did not have the process of decomposition, which is provided by different fungi, there would be dead plants and animals remaining on Earth's surface. Earth's surface would be cluttered and would be packed with dead plants and animals. Decomposition is a big part of the Nitrogen cycle. The cycle starts out with plants receiving their nitrogen from the soil, which gets its nitrogen from the air. Animals eat plants with the nitrogen in them, causing the animals to gain nitrogen. When these animals die, fungi decomposes them, along with dead plants, and the nitrogen in these organisms is absorbed into the ground. This new nitrogen in the ground travels back into the atmosphere or back into plants. Decomposition is a critical part of the Nitrogen cycle, and without it the cycle would not be a continuos process.

All living things need nitrogen. Nitrogen is a basic ingredient in amino acids that make up all proteins. Plants and animals both need nitrogen as it helps green plants to produce healthy leaves, as well as helping produce proteins for humans. Without nitrogen, every living thing would die.

Decomposition & the Nitrogen Cycle