Grazing Management and Carbon Dynamics in Grassland Ecosystems: From Microbial Processes to Ecosystem Functioning

Dear Colleagues, 

Grassland ecosystems play a critical role in global carbon cycling, acting as significant carbon sinks while supporting livestock production and biodiversity. However, the interplay between grazing practices and carbon dynamics remains complex, influenced by microbial activity, soil processes, and ecosystem-level feedbacks. This Special Issue will explore how grazing management strategies—such as rotational grazing, intensity regulation, and rest periods—modulate carbon sequestration, soil organic matter stability, and microbial-mediated nutrient cycling in grasslands. We welcome studies that integrate field experiments, molecular techniques (e.g., metagenomics), and ecological modeling to elucidate mechanisms linking grazing practices to carbon fluxes. Topics include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) microbial community responses to grazing and their role in carbon decomposition and stabilization; (2) impacts of grazing on soil physicochemical properties and greenhouse gas emissions; (3) scaling from plant–soil interactions to ecosystem carbon balance; and (4) innovative grazing management frameworks for enhancing grassland carbon sinks. By bridging fundamental research and practical applications, this Special Issue aims to advance sustainable grassland management in the context of climate change mitigation.

Prof. Dr. Xiaoping Xin
Guest Editor

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