New Frontiers and Paradigms in Terrestrial Nitrogen Cycling

The terrestrial nitrogen cycle is complex, with many biotic and abiotic pathways involved and large uncertainties in process rates and budgets from ecosystem to global scales. Our understanding of nitrogen cycling processes, and the organisms or abiotic reactions that mediate them, has changed with advancing technology. However, our understanding of the nitrogen cycle is still hindered by a lack of knowledge on what controls these processes, limitations on methodology, and geographical bias in where research is conducted. For this reason, it is important that we continue to update our understanding by highlighting the most recent research in the field of nitrogen cycling. Tackling such complex subject matter takes creativity and interdisciplinary research, best generated by the convergence of scientific discussion. The goal of this Research Topic is to not only highlight new findings in nitrogen cycling, but to cast light on new ways of studying the very topic itself. Regardless of whether submissions focus on new pools, processes, or paradigms, we encourage authors to push the field toward rethinking nitrogen processes and budgets.

The complexity of the nitrogen cycle leaves much to be uncovered. From identifying new nitrogen pools or processes to developing new conceptual frameworks or methodological approaches, researchers are continuing to advance our understanding of terrestrial nitrogen cycling on many fronts. However, these advances in knowledge complicate our holistic understanding of terrestrial nitrogen cycling across different ecosystems. The goal of this Research Topic is to create a unified perspective on state-of-the-art knowledge and understanding of terrestrial nitrogen cycling by compiling original research, reviews, and opinions on new paradigms and frontiers. We particularly encourage submissions that present findings that may upend classical paradigms, highlight new approaches to overcoming perennial challenges in studying soil nitrogen cycling, and ignite international collaboration on nitrogen cycling topics.

We welcome Original Research, Mini Reviews, Systematic Reviews, Perspectives, Hypothesis and Theory, General Commentary, or Opinion articles on any of the following topics in terrestrial ecosystems:

• New or underappreciated processes in the nitrogen cycle
• Refining nitrogen budgets at local and global scales
• Revising paradigms in nitrogen cycling
• Underexplored mechanisms controlling soil nitrogen cycling
• Approaches for promoting international collaboration on nitrogen cycling
• New approaches for measuring nitrogen cycling process rates