Prediction of Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles and Soil Functions in Forest Ecosystems: From Molecular Mechanisms to Landscape Management

Dear Colleagues, 

Forest ecosystems, serving as the largest carbon sink and nitrogen reservoir within terrestrial ecosystems, play a pivotal role in global biogeochemical cycles and climate regulation. However, in recent years, these ecosystems have encountered unprecedented pressures due to the combined effects of global climate change and anthropogenic activities. Studies indicate that over the past two decades, the global forest soil carbon pool has experienced a loss of approximately 12%, while nitrogen cycling efficiency has decreased by 15–20%. These changes not only compromise the productivity of forest ecosystems but also diminish their capacity for climate regulation. Furthermore, alterations in the soil carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C/N) significantly influence the structure and function of microbial communities, thereby modifying nutrient cycling dynamics. In response to this context, understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying carbon and nitrogen cycling in forest soils, developing accurate predictive models, and formulating conservation strategies grounded in ecological processes have emerged as key interdisciplinary research priorities in ecology, soil science, and environmental science. Such efforts are not only essential for providing a scientific foundation to achieve the goal of "carbon neutrality", but also critical for preserving the multifunctionality of forest ecosystems.

This Special Issue aims to collect original research covering the fields of forest ecosystem protection and soil carbon and nitrogen cycling, with a focus on the full-chain research from mechanism analysis to technological innovation and management application, which is in line with the aims of Forests.

For this research topic, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Potential research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

1. The biogeochemical processes of carbon and nitrogen cycling in forest soils and their microbial driving mechanisms.
2. Development and validation of multi-scale (molecular to landscape) soil property prediction models.
3. Strategies for carbon and nitrogen regulation in forest conservation and restoration under climate change.
4. Application of emerging remote sensing technologies and machine learning in the assessment of soil functions.
5. Long-term assessment of forest management practices on soil carbon and nitrogen cycles.  

Dr. Shuai Wang
Prof. Dr. Qianlai Zhuang
Prof. Dr. Fengkui Qian
Dr. Hui Li
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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