This volume contains the proceedings of the 8th Nitrogen Workshop which was held at the University of Ghent, Belgium, from 5 to 8 September 1994. Although nitrogen dynamics in different ecosystems have been studied for several decades, new orientations and other emphases have recently emerged. Previously, nitrogen was considered as an essential element mostly in terms of productivity, but now, more emphasis is attached to environmental consequences. The contributions to this volume tackle recent developments within the fields of nitrogen advice systems, plant response to fertilization, immobilization and mobilization, nitrification, denitrification, leaching, ammonia volatilization and biological nitrogen fixation. A large number of papers is devoted to the formation of gaseous nitrogen compounds, while mineralization-immobilization is another topic of important interest. The book also contains the reports of discussion groups on different aspects of the nitrogen cycle.