Here's why:
* Abundance: Cyanobacteria are incredibly abundant in a variety of environments, including oceans, lakes, and soil.
* Efficiency: They are highly efficient nitrogen fixers, capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into usable forms like ammonia (NH3) through the process of nitrogenase.
* Global Impact: They contribute significantly to the global nitrogen cycle, providing a substantial source of nitrogen for both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
While other organisms, such as certain bacteria in the soil and some plants, also fix nitrogen, cyanobacteria contribute the most to this critical process.