The document summarizes the nitrogen cycle. It describes the key steps in the nitrogen cycle as nitrogen fixation, nitrogen assimilation, ammonification, nitrification, and denitrification. Nitrogen fixation involves converting nitrogen gas from the atmosphere into inorganic nitrogen compounds usable by plants and animals. This is done mainly by nitrogen-fixing bacteria. The nitrogen is then assimilated by plants and animals and enters the ecosystem. As organisms die and decay, ammonification occurs which converts nitrogen into ammonia. Nitrification then transforms ammonia into nitrates which can be used by plants. Finally, denitrification returns nitrates to the atmosphere as nitrogen gas by bacteria. The document also discusses how human activities like fertilizer use and fossil fuel burning