Nitrogen cycling in terrestrial ecosystems

The terrestrial nitrogen cycle has undergone significant revision in recent years with the discovery of new organisms and new processes along with development of new techniques to link microbial community structure and function in diverse ecosystems. Underlying these developments is the recognition that anthropogenic input of reactive nitrogen to terrestrial ecosystems now exceeds that of all natural sources combined, leading to unprecedented acceleration of nitrogen cycling processes. Examples of microbial responses to this rapid increase in reactive nitrogen include ecosystem N-saturation, nitrate infiltration into ground and surface waters, increased emission of nitrogen oxide gases, and diversification of functional gene modules for metabolizing and detoxifying reactive-N. At the same time, we are recognizing niche specialization of N-cycling prokaryotes in correlation with specific edaphic factors that allow us to understand and model how microbial communities are being shaped by terrestrial ecosystem heterogeneity and selective pressures.
For this Research Topic, we welcome manuscripts (original research, perspective, mini-reviews) that address topics in terrestrial nitrogen cycling processes across all scales and disciplines. Genomic, physiological, ecological, methodological, theoretical, modeling, and cross-disciplinary studies are encouraged to provide a comprehensive examination of terrestrial N-cycle organisms and processes.