Changes in Forest Ecosystem Nutrition

Continued deterioration of phosphorus supply and changes in nitrogen dynamics in forest ecosystems has been emphasized in recent ecosystem studies. Detrimental consequences of any such nutrient based changes in forest ecosystems are expected because of the tight feedbacks on climate change mitigation and adaptation. Globally, forest change and associated changes in nutrient supply are perceived to be results of multiple factors including rising temperatures, more frequent weather extremes, continued high N inputs, decreasing biodiversity, and increased intensity in forest management practices. Traditional approaches of plant nutrition are not entirely sufficient for the assessment and evaluation of interactions between nutrient supply and forest change. For example, they fail to address essential aspects such as the nutrient mobilization and demand by microorganisms, the interactions among trees of different species identity or ontogenetic stage, or between other organisms such as herbs, microorganisms, and herbivores. The feedbacks between living organisms and soil properties and their impact on nutrient dynamics, and the interactions between hydrological and biogeochemical cycles remain also poorly understood.

In this Research Topic, we invite submissions addressing all facets of a novel, holistic “ecosystem nutrition” approach. Ecosystem nutrition combines the concepts of nutrient cycling, biogeochemistry and ecosystem ecology, thereby integrating processes at different spatial and temporal scales and in different ecosystem compartments as well as interactions and feedbacks associated with the nutrition of an ecosystem. Thus, this Research Topic has a wide focus on novel advanced concepts, methods and results ranging from the molecular to the ecosystem and landscape scale. Furthermore we are looking for contributions investigating the spatial heterogeneity of forest ecosystems, as well as their medium and long-term responses to changing nutrition. Finally, modelling approaches for a better understanding of those complex interactions are highly welcome.