B. licheniformis is ubiquitous in nature, existing
predominately in soil as spores. Unlike other bacilli that are
typically aerobic, B. licheniformis is facultatively anaerobic,
allowing for growth in additional ecological niches. The
microorganism is usually saprophytic. Its production of
proteases and ability to break down complex polysaccharides
enables it to contribute substantially to nutrient cycling (Claus
and Berkeley, 1986). Certain members of the species are capable
of denitrification; however, their importance in bacterial
denitrification in the environment is considered to be small as the bacilli typically persist in soil as endospores