How do cover crops influence the nutrient cycling of elements such as nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil?

Cover crops influence nutrient cycling by absorbing nutrients from the soil and preventing them from being lost through leaching or runoff. When the cover crops decompose, these nutrients are released back into the soil in a plant-available form. Legumes, in particular, can fix atmospheric nitrogen, converting it into a form that plants can use. This process enhances nitrogen availability in the soil. Cover crops also improve soil structure and microbial activity, which further enhances nutrient cycling.