Topics and Trends in Most Cited Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics Papers

Ranked by citations 18 months after publication

Class of 2026 (Papers Published in 2024)

What topics and trends defined most-cited Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics research in the Class of 2026?

The Class of 2026 is defined by a shift towards microscopic microbial mechanisms and global predictive modeling, moving away from traditional macroscopic agricultural management. Microbial carbon use efficiency and organo-mineral associations emerged as dominant themes, reflecting the field's deep focus on biological and physical pathways for carbon stabilization.

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Updated July 19, 2026

At a glance

Field
Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
Cohort label
Class of 2026 (2024 publications)
Papers analyzed
8,999
Papers ranked
20
Top topics in ranked papers
Microbial carbon use efficiency, mineral-associated organic carbon, microbial necromass
Publication window
Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
Eligibility
Research articles; reviews excluded
Citation window
18 months post-publication
18m citation range
69–138
Data source
OpenAlex · Retrieved July 2026
License
CC BY 4.0

Rankings

20 papers ranked by 18-month citation count

#1 of 8,999
13818m citations

Soil microbiomes show consistent and predictable responses to extreme events

Christopher G Knight, Océane Nicolitch, Franciska T de Vries et al.Nature202410.1038/s41586-024-08185-3

Christopher G. Knight, Robert I. Griffiths, Franciska T. de VriesUniversity of Manchester, United Kingdom

extreme climatic eventsMicrobial communityGrasslanddrought treatmentflood treatmentfreezing treatmentheat treatmentphylogenetically conserved responsedormancy genessporulation genesmetabolic versatilitylocal climatic conditionsNutrient cyclingMicrobial community responseecosystem functioningSoil propertiesclimate vulnerability
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#2 of 8,999
12318m citations

Nutrient-induced acidification modulates soil biodiversity-function relationships

Zhengkun Hu et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-47323-3

Manqiang LiuNanjing Agricultural University, China

nutrient enrichmentSoil acidificationsoil biodiversitySoil healthbiodiversity-function relationshipsNitrogen additionphosphorus additionSoil pHMicrobial diversitynematode diversitymicrobivorous nematodesMicrobial interactionstrophic cascadesCarbon cyclingNutrient cycling13-year field experimentspecies dominanceecosystem stability
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#3 of 8,999
11518m citations

Important role of Fe oxides in global soil carbon stabilization and stocks

Nan Jia et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-54832-8

Lei LiXinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, China

Iron oxidesSoil organic carbonFe-bound organic carbon (OC-Fe)OC-Fe stockOC-Fe deficitOC-FemaxFe-Al oxidesSoil organic carbon sequestrationMeta-analysisSoil profileMineral-associated organic carbonSoil carbon monitoringCarbon cyclingGlobal carbon mapsClimate change mitigation
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#4 of 8,999
10718m citations

Land conversion to agriculture induces taxonomic homogenization of soil microbial communities globally

Ziheng Peng et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-47348-8

Gehong Wei, Shuo JiaoNorthwest A&F University, China

land conversion to agricultureBiotic homogenizationMicrobial communitycontinental surveyMeta-analysisSoil bacterial communityfunctional homogenizationgeographic range expansionChloroflexiGemmatimonadotaPlanctomycetotaMyxcoccotaLatescibacterotanitrogen fixation genesphosphorus mineralizationphosphorus transportationcropland enrichmentphylotype turnoverLand use change
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#5 of 8,999
10618m citations

Plant diversity drives positive microbial associations in the rhizosphere enhancing carbon use efficiency in agricultural soils

Luiz A Domeignoz-Horta et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-52449-5

Luiz A. Domeignoz‐HortaUniversity of Zurich, Switzerland

Plant diversityintercroppingundersown speciesbarleyMicrobial communityMicrobial networkMicrobial carbon use efficiencySoil organic carbon sequestrationAgricultural soilsagroecosystem managementfield trialMicrobial interactionsPlant carbon inputsClimate change mitigation
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#8 of 8,999
10118m citations

Reducing the uncertainty in estimating soil microbial-derived carbon storage

Han Hu, Chao Qian, Ke Xue et al.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences202410.1073/pnas.2401916121

Hu Han, Chao Qian, Ke Xue, Chao Liang, Yuting LiangChinese Academy of Sciences, China

Soil organic carbonMicrobial necromassSoil bacterial communitymachine learningGlobal datasetsrelative standard error reductionMDC contribution formulasland-atmosphere carbon balanceClimate change mitigationterrestrial carbon poolSoil carbon monitoringMDC biochemistrySoil health
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#9 of 8,999
10018m citations

Size, distribution, and vulnerability of the global soil inorganic carbon

Yuanyuan Huang, Xiaodong Song et al.Science202410.1126/science.adi7918

Yuanyuan Huang, Xiaodong Song, Gan‐Lin ZhangInstitute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, China

soil inorganic carbonSICmachine-learning modelsfield-based measurementsSoil acidificationNitrogen additionterrestrial ecosystemsland-water carbon inventoriesinland-water carbonate chemistryatmospheric carbon dynamicshydrospheric carbon dynamicscarbon loss to inland watersglobal SIC distributionSIC vulnerabilityFuture climate scenarios2-meter soil depthIndia and China SIC hotspots
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#10 of 8,999
9718m citations

Conservation agriculture improves soil health and sustains crop yields after long-term warming

Jialing Teng, Ruixing Hou et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-53169-6

Jing Tian, Zhenling Cui, Manuel Delgado‐BaquerizoChina Agricultural University, China

Tillage practicesExperimental warmingSoil organic carbonMicrobial biomassMicrobial diversitysaprogen richnessCrop productionSoil healthGlobal warmingsoil degradationfood securityclimate resilienceWarming effects
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#11 of 8,999
9218m citations

Microbial trait multifunctionality drives soil organic matter formation potential

Emily D Whalen et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-53947-2

Emily D. WhalenUniversity of New Hampshire, United States

Soil organic carbon sequestrationMicrobial traitsfungi incubation experimentsSoil organic matter qualityMicrobial carbon use efficiencygrowth rateSoil carbon turnovermultifunctional speciestrait synergiesmodel soilsMicrobial necromasstrait-based frameworks
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#13 of 8,999
8418m citations

Microbially mediated mechanisms underlie soil carbon accrual by conservation agriculture under decade-long warming

Jing Tian, Jennifer A J Dungait, Ruixing Hou, Ye Deng et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-023-44647-4

Jing Tian, Fusuo Zhang, M. Francesca Cotrufo, Jizhong ZhouChina Agricultural University, China

Soil organic carbonTillage practicesCrop residue managementWarming effectswheat-maize cropping systemMicrobial carbon use efficiencySoil fungal communityMicrobial necromassDecompositioncarbon inputs from cropsstructural equation modelsSoil organic carbon sequestrationMicrobial growthmanagement-climate interactionsconventional tillageLong-term field experiment
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#14 of 8,999
8418m citations

Optimized agricultural management reduces global cropland nitrogen losses to air and water

Luncheng You et al.Nature Food202410.1038/s43016-024-01076-w

Yongliang ChenChina Agricultural University, China

cropland nitrogen lossesagricultural management optimizationNitrogen leachingnitrogen emissions to airfertilizer application timingprecision agriculturenitrogen use efficiencyenvironmental nitrogen pollutioncrop production systemswater qualityatmospheric nitrogen depositionagronomic practicesNitrogen cyclesustainable intensificationnutrient management strategies
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#15 of 8,999
8318m citations

Biochar and organic fertilizer applications enhance soil functional microbial abundance and agroecosystem multifunctionality

Wang Hu et al.Biochar202410.1007/s42773-023-00296-w

Yuping Zhang, Xuan Zhou, Gongwen LuoHunan Agricultural University, China

Soil amendmentsorganic fertilizerSoil healthfunctional microbiomesbulk soilrhizosphere soilcarbon cycle genesnitrogen cycle genesphosphorus cycle genessulphur cycle genesC degradationnitrificationnitrate-reductionSoil phosphorus mineralizationS cyclingSoil pHSoil nutrient availabilityLong-term field experimentFunctional taxaagroecosystem functions
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#16 of 8,999
8118m citations

Simplified microbial network reduced microbial structure stability and soil functionality in alpine grassland along a natural aridity gradient

Chao Zhang et al.Soil Biology and Biochemistry202410.1016/j.soilbio.2024.109366

Zilin SongChinese Academy of Science, China

Microbial co-occurrence networkmicrobial structure stabilitysoil functionalityAlpine grasslandaridity gradientnetwork simplificationSoil microbial communityGrassland ecosystemClimate gradientMicrobial diversityecosystem functioningMicrobial networkdrought stressBiogeochemical cyclingcommunity assembly
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#17 of 8,999
7818m citations

Optimizing cover crop practices as a sustainable solution for global agroecosystem services

Tianyi Qiu et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-54536-z

Linchuan FangWuhan University of Technology, China

cover crop practicesMeta-analysisCrop productionSoil organic carbonGreenhouse gas emissionslong-term implementationno-tillagelegume and non-legume biculturecover crop termination timingresidue mulchingagroecosystem multiservicescarbon dioxide sequestrationsoil erosion reductionClimate impact on cropsclimate neutralitysoil stabilizationSustainable agricultureClimate-smart agricultureEnvironmental trade-offsoptimization portfolio
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#18 of 8,999
7018m citations

Microbial and mineral interactions decouple litter quality from soil organic matter formation

Dafydd M O Elias et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-54446-0

Jeanette WhitakerUK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, United Kingdom

Organo-mineral associationsPlant carbon inputssoil mineralogyMicrobial carbon use efficiencyMicrobial anabolismmicrobial residuesMineral protectionStable isotope tracingDecompositionsoil microbial community shiftspriming effectlow-quality litterhigh-quality litterpristine mineral manipulationlitter-microbial interactions
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#19 of 8,999
6918m citations

Microbial competition for phosphorus limits the CO2 response of a mature forest

Mingkai Jiang, Kristine Y Crous et al.Nature202410.1038/s41586-024-07491-0

Kristine Y. CrousZhejiang University, China

elevated CO2Phosphorus limitationMature forestsoil microbial competitionecosystem P budgetP recyclingmicrobial pre-emptionplant P uptakeCO2 fertilizationterrestrial carbon sequestrationnutrient availability constraintrhizosphere C releaseP use efficiencySoil phosphorus mineralizationtree biomass accumulationEarth system modelsland carbon sink
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#20 of 8,999
6918m citations

Reducing soil nitrogen losses from fertilizer use in global maize and wheat production

Chao Wang et al.Nature Geoscience202410.1038/s41561-024-01542-x

Jianwen Zou, Shuwei LiuNanjing Agricultural University, China

soil nitrogen lossesfertilizer use efficiencymaize productionwheat productionnitrogen managementglobal crop productionNitrogen leachingNitrous oxide emissionsAmmonia emissionsnitrogen use efficiencyfertilizer application timingfertilizer placementnitrification inhibitorsurease inhibitorsprecision agriculturenitrogen balanceenvironmental sustainabilitycrop yield optimization
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Dominant research themes and year-over-year shifts in Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics

What Topics Define the Class of 2026?

In the Class of 2026, research in soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics is largely defined by microbial mechanisms and soil organic matter interactions. The most prominent theme is Microbial Carbon Use Efficiency, reflecting a deep focus on how microorganisms process and stabilize carbon. This aligns closely with strong clusters around Mineral-Associated Organic Carbon, Organo-Mineral Associations, and Microbial Necromass, highlighting a paradigm shift toward understanding the physical and biological carbon stabilization pathways at microscopic scales. Furthermore, foundational variables like Soil pH and Soil Bacterial Communities continue to play dominant roles as researchers seek to map these intricate microbial-physicochemical relationships. The prominence of Soil Amendments and Soil Fungal Communities also underscores a highly applied angle, as the field connects fundamental microbial ecology with practical strategies to enhance soil health and sustainable agricultural practices. Overall, this cohort represents a convergence of mechanistic soil microbiology and applied carbon sequestration strategies.

Leading research themes
Leading research themes

How Did Topics Shift from the Class of 2025 to the Class of 2026?

The transition from the Class of 2025 to the Class of 2026 reveals a distinct shift from broad agricultural management to specialized mechanistic studies and Earth system modeling. The most explosive growth was seen in Organo-Mineral Associations, Earth System Models, Nitrous Oxide Emissions, and Phosphorus Limitation, which emerged rapidly to dominate recent discussions. Similarly, Microbial Carbon Use Efficiency saw significant growth, underscoring the field's pivot toward microscopic drivers of carbon stabilization. Conversely, macro-level agricultural topics experienced notable declines; concepts such as Crop Production, Plant Carbon Inputs, and Fertilization Management saw their prominence halved compared to the previous year. This cohort shift suggests that while agricultural applications remain relevant, the cutting-edge of the field has moved aggressively toward integrating granular microbial and mineral interactions into predictive global climate models and understanding complex biogeochemical feedbacks like greenhouse gas emissions.

How topics shifted year over year
How topics shifted year over year
Methodology

PRI identifies high-impact research using a transparent, topic-agnostic framework applied consistently across scientific domains. Bibliographic records are drawn from OpenAlex, including publication dates, citation relationships, and document types.

This ranking covers the Class of 2026 cohort: journal articles published in 2024. Reviews and other non-article document types are excluded to ensure comparability.

Research impact is quantified with an 18-month post-publication citation window—the number of citing works published within 18 months of each paper's publication date. This metric captures early impact while controlling for publication age.

An LLM-based relevance classifier then reviews each candidate's title and abstract to confirm substantive alignment with the target domain. Only papers classified as relevant appear in the final ranking.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459

Full methodologyGitHubbioRxiv preprint

Cite this ranking

Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/soil-carbon-and-nitrogen-dynamics/2026. Accessed 2026-07-19.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459