Ammonification

• Ammonification is the production of ammonia from organic nitrogen containing compounds. In nature, these compounds include urea (from breakdown of excess amino acids), proteins, nucleic acids and vitamins (found in faeces and dead organisms).
• Saprobionts (fungi/bacteria) feed on faeces and dead organisms materials, releasing ammonia, which then forms ammonium ions in the soils. This is where nitrogen returns to the non-living component of the ecosystem.