About this Research Topic
Soil degradation caused by erosion and nutrient loss is a pressing issue, with deforestation and forest degradation in mountainous environments being significant drivers. These mountainous forests are under increasing pressure from anthropogenic and natural disturbances such as forest fires, storms, and earthquakes, together with extreme droughts and other effects of climate change. The resulting reduction in forest cover increases soil erosion and the sediment load of streams and rivers. Effective conservation, forest recovery, and ecological engineering measures (e.g., restoration, afforestation) can help mitigate soil and nutrient losses in mountain forest watersheds following disturbances. In addition, natural succession and anthropogenic measures can positively affect soil and vegetation recovery, including root regrowth, thereby decreasing soil erosion and nutrient losses. Therefore, understanding drivers, underlying processes and effects of natural succession and anthropogenic measures is crucial for eco-engineering, forest management, soil-water conservation, and risk mitigation in mountain forest ecosystems.
This Research Topic aims to improve our understanding of soil erosion and nutrient losses in mountain forests following disturbance events, natural succession and anthropogenic interventions, and further aims to identify and quantify key drivers of these processes. Studies of soil and nutrient loss at plot to whole-watershed levels, underlying mechanisms, effects of soil-water conservation measures, and implications for eco-engineering, forest management, risk mitigation, policy, and other related socio-ecological issues are all welcome.
We welcome empirical studies and reviews emphasizing the changes in soil and nutrient loss in mountain forests following disturbance events, including the following topics:
- Impacts of extreme disturbances on soil, nutrient loss, or sediment yield in mountain forests.
- Empirical measurements and modeling of erosion and nutrient cycling processes linked to the immediate impacts of disturbance events and subsequent recovery.
- Experimental or modeling studies of the effectiveness of soil and water conservation measures.
- Science-based advice for improved forest management and policy to control erosion and sedimentation in mountain forest environments.
This Research Topic aims to improve our understanding of soil erosion and nutrient losses in mountain forests following disturbance events, natural succession and anthropogenic interventions, and further aims to identify and quantify key drivers of these processes. Studies of soil and nutrient loss at plot to whole-watershed levels, underlying mechanisms, effects of soil-water conservation measures, and implications for eco-engineering, forest management, risk mitigation, policy, and other related socio-ecological issues are all welcome.
We welcome empirical studies and reviews emphasizing the changes in soil and nutrient loss in mountain forests following disturbance events, including the following topics:
- Impacts of extreme disturbances on soil, nutrient loss, or sediment yield in mountain forests.
- Empirical measurements and modeling of erosion and nutrient cycling processes linked to the immediate impacts of disturbance events and subsequent recovery.
- Experimental or modeling studies of the effectiveness of soil and water conservation measures.
- Science-based advice for improved forest management and policy to control erosion and sedimentation in mountain forest environments.
Keywords: Soil-water conservation, Vegetation cover change, Soil recovery, Eco-engineering in mountain regions, Forest management, Ecological recovery
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
