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Agronomy
Special Issues
Water-Carbon Processes and Management in Agronomic and Agroforestry Systems
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Water-Carbon Processes and Management in Agronomic and Agroforestry Systems

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Water Use and Irrigation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2026 | Viewed by 6027

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Tianjiao Feng

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100091, China
Interests: eco-hydrological processes; soil water-holding capacity; vegetation restoration; water balance
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Xiaoqing Cui

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Grassland Science, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100091, China
Interests: global change and soil carbon and nitrogen cycles

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on the critical dynamics of water–carbon processes and their management within agronomic and agroforestry systems. It aims to advance our understanding of how water and carbon interactions can be optimized to enhance ecosystem functionality and resilience. This edition invites contributions that explore innovative management strategies and modeling approaches that address the challenges of sustaining water and carbon resources in agricultural and forestry landscapes. We seek original research, reviews, and case studies that detail effective practices and technologies for monitoring, regulating, and enhancing water–carbon coupling in these systems. Contributions should also provide insights into the implications of these processes for climate change mitigation and adaptation in agricultural practices and agroforestry management.

Dr. Tianjiao Feng
Dr. Xiaoqing Cui
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • water management
  • ecological processes
  • sustainable agriculture
  • agroforestry systems
  • ecosystem resilience
  • soil science
  • plant–soil interactions
  • carbon cycling
  • ecosystem services

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 1612 KB  
Article
Optimizing Water–Carbon Coupling Through a Trait-Based Framework Integrating WCCI and Dual-Filter CATS Model
by Shaoyang Wu, Yan Zhang, Jian Hou, Yang Tai, Xiaohui Huang, Xiaochen Guo, Hailong Wu and Chen Xing
Agronomy 2025, 15(12), 2733; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15122733 - 27 Nov 2025
Viewed by 267
Abstract
Ecological restoration in degraded landscapes requires understanding the factors driving ecosystem function. We ask the central question: Do microtopography and plant functional traits control water-carbon coupling efficiency (WCCI) in mining-affected grasslands? We developed a novel, decoupled WCCI metric balancing water-use efficiency (1/SLA) and [...] Read more.
Ecological restoration in degraded landscapes requires understanding the factors driving ecosystem function. We ask the central question: Do microtopography and plant functional traits control water-carbon coupling efficiency (WCCI) in mining-affected grasslands? We developed a novel, decoupled WCCI metric balancing water-use efficiency (1/SLA) and carbon-stock potential (Height + Foliage Cover). We hypothesized that (1) microhabitats with severe environmental filters (e.g., drought, erosion) would exhibit the lowest WCCI, and (2) this function could be optimized by assembling species that balance these two distinct trait strategies. Our objectives were to: (i) quantify the new WCCI across five microhabitat zones (A–E); (ii) assess how soil filters shape existing community functions; and (iii) identify optimized, zone-specific species assemblages using a dual-filter CATS model that maximizes WCCI. Results show significant variability in WCCI. The most degraded zones, A (arid) and B (high erosion), exhibited the lowest functional performance (mean WCCI = 0.029 and 0.078), supporting our first hypothesis. The dual-filter CATS model, constrained by abiotic targets (Tolerance = 10%) and a diversity cap (Max Abundance = 30%), successfully generated distinct, functionally tailored species assemblages for each zone. For instance, the optimized community for arid Zone A included the drought-adapted grass Stipa capillata (15.9%), while the resource-rich Zone D was recommended Medicago lupulina (12.7%). Conclusion: These findings confirm that a “one-size-fits-all” approach is insufficient. We demonstrate the necessity of a trait-based, microhabitat-specific framework to move beyond taxonomic mimicry and truly optimize biogeochemical functions in restoration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water-Carbon Processes and Management in Agronomic and Agroforestry Systems)
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28 pages, 4334 KB  
Article
Analysis of Carbon Emissions and Ecosystem Service Value Caused by Land Use Change, and Its Coupling Characteristics in the Wensu Oasis, Northwest China
by Yiqi Zhao, Songrui Ning, An Yan, Pingan Jiang, Huipeng Ren, Ning Li, Tingting Huo and Jiandong Sheng
Agronomy 2025, 15(10), 2307; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15102307 - 29 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 466
Abstract
Oases in arid regions are crucial for sustaining agricultural production and ecological stability, yet few studies have simultaneously examined the coupled dynamics of land use/cover change (LUCC), carbon emissions, and ecosystem service value (ESV) at the oasis–agricultural scale. This gap limits our understanding [...] Read more.
Oases in arid regions are crucial for sustaining agricultural production and ecological stability, yet few studies have simultaneously examined the coupled dynamics of land use/cover change (LUCC), carbon emissions, and ecosystem service value (ESV) at the oasis–agricultural scale. This gap limits our understanding of how different land use trajectories shape trade-offs between carbon processes and ecosystem services in fragile arid ecosystems. This study examines the spatiotemporal interactions between land use carbon emissions and ESV from 1990 to 2020 in the Wensu Oasis, Northwest China, and predicts their future trajectories under four development scenarios. Multi-period remote sensing data, combined with the carbon emission coefficient method, modified equivalent factor method, spatial autocorrelation analysis, the coupling coordination degree model, and the PLUS model, were employed to quantify LUCC patterns, carbon emission intensity, ESV, and its coupling relationships. The results indicated that (1) cultivated land, construction land, and unused land expanded continuously (by 974.56, 66.77, and 1899.36 km2), while grassland, forests, and water bodies declined (by 1363.93, 77.92, and 1498.83 km2), with the most pronounced changes occurring between 2000 and 2010; (2) carbon emission intensity increased steadily—from 23.90 × 104 t in 1990 to 169.17 × 104 t in 2020—primarily driven by construction land expansion—whereas total ESV declined by 46.37%, with water and grassland losses contributing substantially; (3) carbon emission intensity and ESV exhibited a significant negative spatial correlation, and the coupling coordination degree remained low, following a “high in the north, low in the south” distribution; and (4) scenario simulations for 2030–2050 suggested that this negative correlation and low coordination will persist, with only the ecological protection scenario (EPS) showing potential to enhance both carbon sequestration and ESV. Based on spatial clustering patterns and scenario outcomes, we recommend spatially differentiated land use regulation and prioritizing EPS measures, including glacier and wetland conservation, adoption of water-saving irrigation technologies, development of agroforestry systems, and renewable energy utilization on unused land. By explicitly linking LUCC-driven carbon–ESV interactions with scenario-based prediction and evaluation, this study provides new insights into oasis sustainability, offers a scientific basis for balancing agricultural production with ecological protection in the oasis of the arid region, and informs China’s dual-carbon strategy, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water-Carbon Processes and Management in Agronomic and Agroforestry Systems)
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20 pages, 4989 KB  
Article
Analysis of the Trade-Off/Synergy Effect and Driving Factors of Ecosystem Services in Hulunbuir City, China
by Shimin Wei, Jian Hou, Yan Zhang, Yang Tai, Xiaohui Huang and Xiaochen Guo
Agronomy 2025, 15(8), 1883; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15081883 - 4 Aug 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 928
Abstract
An in-depth understanding of the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of ecosystem service (ES) trade-offs and synergies, along with their driving factors, is crucial for formulating key ecological restoration strategies and effectively allocating ecological environmental resources in the Hulunbuir region. This study employed an integrated analytical [...] Read more.
An in-depth understanding of the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of ecosystem service (ES) trade-offs and synergies, along with their driving factors, is crucial for formulating key ecological restoration strategies and effectively allocating ecological environmental resources in the Hulunbuir region. This study employed an integrated analytical approach combining the InVEST model, ArcGIS geospatial processing, R software environment, and Optimal Parameter Geographical Detector (OPGD). The spatiotemporal patterns and driving factors of the interaction of four major ES functions in Hulunbuir area from 2000 to 2020 were studied. The research findings are as follows: (1) carbon storage (CS) and soil conservation (SC) services in the Hulunbuir region mainly show a distribution pattern of high values in the central and northeast areas, with low values in the west and southeast. Water yield (WY) exhibits a distribution pattern characterized by high values in the central–western transition zone and southeast and low values in the west. For forage supply (FS), the overall pattern is higher in the west and lower in the east. (2) The trade-off relationships between CS and WY, CS and SC, and SC and WY are primarily concentrated in the western part of Hulunbuir, while the synergistic relationships are mainly observed in the central and eastern regions. In contrast, the trade-off relationships between CS and FS, as well as FS and WY, are predominantly located in the central and eastern parts of Hulunbuir, with the intensity of these trade-offs steadily increasing. The trade-off relationship between SC and FS is almost widespread throughout HulunBuir. (3) Fractional vegetation cover, mean annual precipitation, and land use type were the primary drivers affecting ESs. Among these factors, fractional vegetation cover demonstrates the highest explanatory power, with a q-value between 0.6 and 0.9. The slope and population density exhibit relatively weak explanatory power, with q-values ranging from 0.001 to 0.2. (4) The interactions between factors have a greater impact on the inter-relationships of ESs in the Hulunbuir region than individual factors alone. The research findings have facilitated the optimization and sustainable development of regional ES, providing a foundation for ecological conservation and restoration in Hulunbuir. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water-Carbon Processes and Management in Agronomic and Agroforestry Systems)
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13 pages, 1075 KB  
Article
Response of Typical Artificial Forest Soil Microbial Community to Revegetation in the Loess Plateau, China
by Xiaohua Liu, Tianxing Wei, Dehui Fan, Huaxing Bi and Qingke Zhu
Agronomy 2025, 15(8), 1821; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15081821 - 28 Jul 2025
Viewed by 592
Abstract
This study aims to analyze the differences in soil bacterial community structure under different vegetation restoration types, and to explore the role of microorganisms in the process of vegetation restoration on the soil ecosystem of the Grain for Green area in the Loess [...] Read more.
This study aims to analyze the differences in soil bacterial community structure under different vegetation restoration types, and to explore the role of microorganisms in the process of vegetation restoration on the soil ecosystem of the Grain for Green area in the Loess Plateau. High-throughput sequencing technology was used to analyze the alpha diversity of soil bacteria, community structure characteristics, and the correlation between soil environmental factors and bacterial communities in different artificial Hippophae rhamnoides forests. Soil microbial C and N show a decreasing trend with an increase in the 0–100 cm soil layers. The results indicated that the bacterial communities comprised 24 phyla, 55 classes, 110 orders, 206 families, 348 genera, 680 species, and 1989 OTUs. Additionally, the richness indices and diversity indices of the bacterial community in arbor shrub mixed forest are higher than those in shrub pure forest, and the indices of shrub forest on sunny slope are higher than those on shady slope. Across all samples, the dominant groups were Actinobacteria (37.27% on average), followed by Proteobacteria (23.91%), Acidobacteria (12.75%), and Chloroflexi (12.27%). Soil nutrient supply, such as TOC, TN, AN, AP, and AK, had crucial roles in shaping the composition and diversity of the bacterial communities. The findings reveal that vegetation restoration significantly affected soil bacterial community richness and diversity. Furthermore, based on the results, our data provide a starting point for establishing soil bacterial databases in the Loess Plateau, as well as for the plants associated with the vegetation restoration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water-Carbon Processes and Management in Agronomic and Agroforestry Systems)
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26 pages, 4343 KB  
Article
Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Trade-Off Analysis of Ecosystem Services in the Caijiachuan Watershed of the Loess Plateau
by Guiyun Song, Tianxing Wei, Qingke Zhu, Huaxing Bi, Jilong Qiu and Junkai Zhang
Agronomy 2025, 15(7), 1707; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15071707 - 15 Jul 2025
Viewed by 789
Abstract
As a typical reforested region of the Loess Plateau, the Caijiachuan watershed plays a vital role in ecological security and resource management. This study evaluates the spatiotemporal variations in key ecosystem services—namely soil retention, water yield, carbon storage, and habitat quality—between 2002 and [...] Read more.
As a typical reforested region of the Loess Plateau, the Caijiachuan watershed plays a vital role in ecological security and resource management. This study evaluates the spatiotemporal variations in key ecosystem services—namely soil retention, water yield, carbon storage, and habitat quality—between 2002 and 2024 using the InVEST model, calibrated with field-measured rainfall, carbon density, and high-resolution land use data derived from integrated remote sensing and field surveys. Statistical analyses based on the R language reveal dynamic trade-offs and synergies among these services. The results show that: (1) soil retention, carbon storage, and habitat quality have steadily improved, while water yield shows an overall upward trend with significant spatial heterogeneity; (2) a consistent and significant trade-off exists between carbon storage and water yield (average R2 ≈ 0.28), while other ecosystem service interactions are relatively weak; (3) climatic variability, topographic heterogeneity (e.g., slope and elevation), and vegetation structure are key drivers of these trade-offs. This study provides scientific evidence to support ecological management and policy formulation in reforested areas of the Loess Plateau. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water-Carbon Processes and Management in Agronomic and Agroforestry Systems)
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15 pages, 2301 KB  
Article
Effects of Dissolved Organic Carbon Leaching and Soil Carbon Fractions Under Intercropping Dactylis glomerata L.–Medicago sativa L. in Response to Extreme Rainfall
by Cui Xu, Peng Zhang, Lu Chen, Wenzhi Wang, Xukun Yang, Zhenhuan Liu and Yanhua Mi
Agronomy 2025, 15(6), 1485; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15061485 - 19 Jun 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1343
Abstract
Climate change aggravates the frequency of extreme rainfall events, resulting in carbon (C) loss. For the special climate of the highlands, cultivating the land underneath orchards increases C reservation. Systematic research on the impact of extreme rainfall on soil organic carbon compositions and [...] Read more.
Climate change aggravates the frequency of extreme rainfall events, resulting in carbon (C) loss. For the special climate of the highlands, cultivating the land underneath orchards increases C reservation. Systematic research on the impact of extreme rainfall on soil organic carbon compositions and (dissolved organic carbon) DOC leaching is limited, especially regarding the response to different cropping patterns underneath orchards, requiring a deeper understanding. The results showed that the DOC-leaching fluxes for the cropping patterns under rainstorms and heavy rainstorms were in the order Dactylis glomerata L. monocropping (13.5, 4.4 kg/hm2) > Medicago sativa L. monocropping (11.2, 3.8 kg/hm2) ≥ D. glomerata. + M. sativa. (10.4, 3.6 kg/hm2). The DOC-leaching fluxes during heavy rainstorms were reduced with D + M, and the root morphology showed a significant correlation with DOC concentration. Compared to the D, SOC in layers 40–60 cm of the M and the D + M increased by 68.36% and 64.24%, respectively. TP and POC of the D + M increased with soil depth. Relationships between cropping pattern and rainfall intensity for particulate organic carbon (POC) and mineral-associated organic carbon (MOC) were observed. Heavy rainstorms reduced MOC, including the decomposition of substances related to the MOC, such as ROC and DOC, then POC in layers 40–60 cm increased; compared with 0–20 cm of D and M, the content of readily oxidizable carbon (ROC) in layers 40–60 cm reduced by 56.90~77.64%, and the POC increased by 38.38~87.00% in the D + M. Therefore, it was suggested that the decomposition of deeper MOC due to heavy rainstorms is the main source of soil POC and leaching DOC. This will provide a reference basis for research on assessing soil carbon-leaching fluxes and carbon stocks under extreme rainfall events. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water-Carbon Processes and Management in Agronomic and Agroforestry Systems)
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24 pages, 2856 KB  
Article
Comprehensive Evaluation of Soil Quality Reconstruction in Agroforestry Ecosystems of High-Altitude Areas: A Case Study of the Jiangcang Mining Area, Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
by Liya Yang, Shaohua Feng, Xusheng Shao, Jinde Zhang, Tianxiang Wang and Shuisheng Xiong
Agronomy 2025, 15(6), 1390; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15061390 - 5 Jun 2025
Viewed by 911
Abstract
This study focuses on the alpine meadow ecosystem of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, which plays a vital role in carbon sequestration and water resource protection. However, mining activities have severely damaged the ecosystem, posing challenges for ecological restoration. The study selected the Jiangcang mining [...] Read more.
This study focuses on the alpine meadow ecosystem of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, which plays a vital role in carbon sequestration and water resource protection. However, mining activities have severely damaged the ecosystem, posing challenges for ecological restoration. The study selected the Jiangcang mining area and analyzed the physical, chemical, and carbon characteristics and heavy metal content of soil samples from the slag platforms and slopes (0–20 cm), which were restored in 2015 and 2020 to explore the effects of different soil reconstruction methods on soil function and ecological resilience. The results show that the minimum data set (MDS) can effectively replace the total data set (TDS) in assessing soil quality. The assessment indicates good restoration effects in 2020, with some areas rated high in soil quality. Although issues such as high bulk density, high electrical conductivity, low moisture content, nitrogen deficiency, and low organic matter limit ecological restoration, the carbon sequestration capacity of the restored soil is strong. This study provides scientific evidence for ecological restoration in cold mining areas, indicating that capping measures can enhance soil resistance to erosion, nutrient retention, and carbon sink functions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water-Carbon Processes and Management in Agronomic and Agroforestry Systems)
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