(a) Contrast the processes of mineralization and immobilization. (b) What does an increase in the nitrogen content of decomposing plant tissues imply about the relative rates of mineralization and immobilization?

Question: Contrast the processes of mineralization and immobilization, and discuss how an increase in the nitrogen content of decomposing plant tissues may relate to their relative rates. Answer: Mineralization and immobilization are opposite processes involving nutrient conversion between organic and inorganic forms. Mineralization makes nutrients available for plants by transforming organic nutrients into inorganic forms, while immobilization removes nutrients from immediate plant availability by incorporating inorganic nutrients into microbial biomass. An increase in nitrogen content of decomposing plant tissues may indicate a faster rate of mineralization than immobilization, leading to higher amounts of available nitrogen for plants. However, maintaining a balance between these processes is crucial for ecosystem health, as imbalances can lead to issues like nutrient leaching.