a continuous process in which dead plant material decomposes (= breaks down) and provides nutrients to the soil that are absorbed by plant roots, so that plants grow

Trees can contribute strongly to nutrient cycling. 树木对营养物循环的贡献很大。

The study found that the effects of the fungicides on soil nutrient cycling processes were not large. 研究发现，杀菌剂对土壤养分循环过程的影响不大。