Human Alteration of the Nitrogen Cycle - Threats, Benefits and Opportunities

The global nitrogen cycle represents one of the most important nutrient cycles that sustain life on Earth. Today, humans add 1.5 times more nitrogen than do natural terrestrial processes combined altogether, through a combination of agriculture and fossil fuel use, and unduly influence the global nitrogen cycle. The consequences are profound for the health of both ecosystems and people. The challenge presented by the scope of the changing nitrogen cycle remains under-appreciated in both policy and scientific circles, but already-observed impacts of such changes on biodiversity, climate and human health provide compelling reasons to exploit more fully options for nitrogen management and policies.

Quelle: Source: SCOPE [1]