Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles in Terrestrial Ecosystems

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Diversity and Ecology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 26 February 2025 | Viewed by 1900

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Schiller Institute for Integrated Science and Society, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
Interests: terrestrial nitrous oxide; global vegetation dynamics; terrestrial evapotranspiration; carbon cycle modeling; machine learning algorithms
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Terrestrial ecosystems play a pivotal role in global biogeochemical cycles, influencing the carbon and nitrogen dynamics in Earth systems. The intricate processes within terrestrial ecosystems are driven by interactions between biological, chemical, and physical components, which are increasingly impacted by human activities and climate change. Understanding and modeling these processes is essential for predicting future climate scenarios and developing sustainable management strategies.

This Special Issue aims to bring together frontier studies on the mechanisms and drivers of carbon and nitrogen cycles within terrestrial ecosystems. We invite contributions that leverage process-based modeling, machine learning methods, field experiments, and meta-analyses to advance our understanding of these complex systems. By highlighting interdisciplinary approaches, this issue seeks to bridge the gap between empirical observations and theoretical models, fostering a comprehensive understanding of terrestrial carbon and nitrogen cycles.

We encourage potential authors to submit original research articles and reviews that address the following topics, contributing to a deeper and more integrated understanding of biogeochemical cycles in terrestrial ecosystems.

  1. Process-Based Modeling and Machine Learning:
    • Advances in the development, validation, and application of terrestrial biosphere models.
    • Applications of machine learning algorithms in modeling and predicting biogeochemical cycles.
    • Integration of terrestrial biosphere models with machine learning algorithms.
  2. Field Experiments and Meta-Analysis:
    • Design and implementation of field experiments to study carbon and nitrogen fluxes.
    • Meta-analytical approaches to synthesize data from diverse terrestrial ecosystems.
    • Long-term monitoring of biogeochemical processes in terrestrial environments.
  3. Climate Change and Biogeochemical Feedback:
    • Effects of global warming and extreme climate events on terrestrial biogeochemical processes.
    • Feedback mechanisms between terrestrial biogeochemical cycles and climate systems.
    • Mitigation strategies to enhance terrestrial ecosystem resilience and carbon storage.
  4. Sustainable Land Management:
    • Impacts of agricultural management practices on terrestrial carbon and nitrogen cycles.
    • Practices for maintaining soil health and fertility.
    • Policy and management recommendations for sustainable ecosystem management.
  5. The Role of Living Organisms in Terrestrial Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles:
    • Feedback between living organisms and biogeochemical processes in terrestrial ecosystems.
    • Interactions between biogenic volatile compounds produced by plants and climate change
    • Plant–microbe interactions in carbon and nitrogen cycling.
    • Impact of invasive species on local carbon and nitrogen dynamics.

Dr. Naiqing Pan
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • process-based modeling and machine learning
  • field experiments and meta-analysis
  • terrestrial carbon and nitrogen cycles
  • role of living organisms in biogeochemical cycles

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 9125 KiB  
Article
Influence of Environmental Factors on the Aboveground Biomass of Mature and Postmining Forests in Chocó
by David Pérez Abadía, Harley Quinto Mosquera and José María Del Arco
Life 2025, 15(1), 98; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15010098 - 15 Jan 2025
Viewed by 727
Abstract
Environmental factors control the accumulation of aboveground biomass (AB) in tropical forests, along with the role of AB in climate change mitigation. As such, the objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of factors such as forest type, succession, abundance of [...] Read more.
Environmental factors control the accumulation of aboveground biomass (AB) in tropical forests, along with the role of AB in climate change mitigation. As such, the objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of factors such as forest type, succession, abundance of individuals, species richness, height, diameter, texture, and soil nutrient levels on the AB in mature and postmining forests in Chocó, Colombia. Five plots each were set up in primary and postmining forests with 15 and 30 years of regeneration, in which the amount of AB was measured and related to the environmental factors. The AB was 178.32 t ha−1 in the mature forests and 35.17 and 56.3 t ha−1 after 15 and 30 years of postmining regeneration, respectively. Furthermore, the general AB level was determined by the ecosystem type, diameter, richness, abundance, Shannon evenness, and Margalef diversity. In mature forests, the AB amount was positively influenced by height and richness, and negatively influenced by dominance and evenness; in areas degraded by mining, the AB level was positively related to richness and equity, and negatively related to species diversity and soil silt. In summary, environmental factors determine the carbon storage in the forests in Chocó. Mining reduces the function of these ecosystems in mitigating climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles in Terrestrial Ecosystems)
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19 pages, 1958 KiB  
Article
Impact of Biochar on Nitrogen-Cycling Functional Genes: A Comparative Study in Mollisol and Alkaline Soils
by Junnan Ding and Shaopeng Yu
Life 2024, 14(12), 1631; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14121631 - 9 Dec 2024
Viewed by 779
Abstract
Biochar has gained considerable attention as a sustainable soil amendment due to its potential to enhance soil fertility and mitigate nitrogen (N) losses. This study aimed to investigate the effects of biochar application on the abundance of key N-cycling genes in Mollisol and [...] Read more.
Biochar has gained considerable attention as a sustainable soil amendment due to its potential to enhance soil fertility and mitigate nitrogen (N) losses. This study aimed to investigate the effects of biochar application on the abundance of key N-cycling genes in Mollisol and alkaline soils, focusing on nitrification (AOA, AOB, and nxrB) and denitrification (narG, norB, and nosZ) processes. The experiment was conducted using soybean rhizosphere soil. The results demonstrated that biochar significantly altered the microbial community structure by modulating the abundance of these functional genes. Specifically, biochar reduced narG and nosZ abundance in both soil types, indicating a potential reduction in N2O emissions. In contrast, it promoted the abundance of nxrB, particularly in alkaline soils, suggesting enhanced nitrite oxidation. The study also revealed strong correlations between N-cycling gene abundances and soil properties such as pH, EC (electrical conductivity. Biochar improved soil pH and nutrient availability, creating favorable conditions for AOB and Nitrospira populations, which play key roles in ammonia and nitrite oxidation. Additionally, the reduction in norB/nosZ ratios in biochar-treated soils suggests a shift towards more efficient N2O reduction. These findings highlight biochar’s dual role in enhancing soil fertility and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions in Mollisol and alkaline soils. The results provide valuable insights into the sustainable management of agricultural soils through biochar application, emphasizing its potential to optimize nitrogen-cycling processes and improve soil health. Further research is needed to explore the long-term impacts of biochar on microbial communities and nitrogen-cycling under field conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles in Terrestrial Ecosystems)
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