What is nitrification also known as?

Nitrification is a crucial part of the nitrogen cycle and is specifically the process by which ammonia is converted into nitrites and then into nitrates by bacteria in the soil. This is essential because it transforms nitrogen in a form that plants can utilize effectively for growth. While nitrogen fixation and nitrogen cycling are important components of the broader nitrogen process, they refer to different aspects.

Nitrogen fixation is the process of converting atmospheric nitrogen gas into forms that living organisms can use, such as ammonia. On the other hand, nitrogen cycling encompasses the various processes that nitrogen undergoes in the environment, including nitrification, fixation, and denitrification. Denitrification refers to the process of converting nitrates back into nitrogen gas, effectively completing the cycle.

Thus, nitrification is primarily recognized for its specific role in converting ammonia into nitrites and nitrates, and it's not accurately defined by any of the other terms listed, making nitrogen fixation an incorrect choice.