BIOLOGY AND FERTILITY OF SOILS

Scope & Guideline

Advancing Soil Science for Sustainable Futures

Introduction

Welcome to the BIOLOGY AND FERTILITY OF SOILS information hub, where our guidelines provide a wealth of knowledge about the journal’s focus and academic contributions. This page includes an extensive look at the aims and scope of BIOLOGY AND FERTILITY OF SOILS, highlighting trending and emerging areas of study. We also examine declining topics to offer insight into academic interest shifts. Our curated list of highly cited topics and recent publications is part of our effort to guide scholars, using these guidelines to stay ahead in their research endeavors.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN0178-2762
PublisherSPRINGER
Support Open AccessNo
CountryGermany
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1985 to 2024
AbbreviationBIOL FERT SOILS / Biol. Fertil. Soils
Frequency8 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressONE NEW YORK PLAZA, SUITE 4600 , NEW YORK, NY 10004, UNITED STATES

Aims and Scopes

The journal 'Biology and Fertility of Soils' focuses on the intricate relationships between soil biology and soil fertility, emphasizing the roles of microorganisms, nutrient cycling, and soil management practices. It aims to advance the understanding of soil ecosystems and their contributions to agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability.
  1. Soil Microbial Dynamics:
    Research on the composition, diversity, and functions of soil microbial communities, including their interactions with plants and soil properties.
  2. Nutrient Cycling:
    Studies on nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon cycling in soils, with a focus on microbial processes that influence nutrient availability and retention.
  3. Soil Management Practices:
    Investigations into the effects of various agricultural practices (e.g., organic amendments, tillage, cover cropping) on soil health and fertility.
  4. Environmental Impacts:
    Exploration of how soil biology contributes to ecosystem services, including the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and soil degradation.
  5. Soil-Plant Interactions:
    Examination of the relationships between soil health, microbial communities, and plant growth, including the role of mycorrhizae and rhizobacteria.
The journal has identified several emerging themes that are gaining traction, reflecting the evolving landscape of soil biology and fertility research. These trends indicate a growing interest in understanding complex interactions and the role of soil in broader ecological contexts.
  1. Microbiome and Soil Health:
    Increasing research on the soil microbiome's role in promoting soil health and fertility, including studies on microbial diversity, functional groups, and their interactions with plants.
  2. Climate Change Impacts:
    Emerging studies focus on how climate change affects soil microbial processes, nutrient cycling, and greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting the need for adaptive soil management.
  3. Sustainable Agricultural Practices:
    A rise in research on sustainable practices, such as organic farming, conservation agriculture, and agroecology, emphasizing the importance of biological processes in soil fertility.
  4. Soil Amendments and Biochar:
    Growing interest in the use of organic amendments and biochar to enhance soil fertility and mitigate environmental impacts, reflecting a shift towards integrating biological solutions.
  5. Soil-Plant Feedback Mechanisms:
    Research on the feedback loops between soil health and plant performance, including how plants influence microbial communities and nutrient availability.

Declining or Waning

Over time, certain research themes have seen a decrease in focus within the journal. These waning scopes may reflect shifting priorities in the field of soil biology and fertility, with less emphasis on previously popular topics.
  1. Traditional Chemical Fertilization:
    Research on the efficacy and impacts of chemical fertilizers has diminished as interest grows in organic and sustainable practices that focus on biological interactions.
  2. Single-species Microbial Studies:
    Studies focusing solely on individual microbial species are declining in favor of community-level analyses that consider the interactions within complex microbial ecosystems.
  3. Static Soil Properties:
    Investigations into static soil properties (e.g., texture or bulk density) are less frequent as the journal shifts towards dynamic biological processes and their implications for soil health.
  4. Historical Soil Studies:
    Research focusing on historical soil data without considering contemporary biological and ecological interactions is becoming less common.
  5. Soil Contamination Studies:
    Although still relevant, studies on soil contamination and remediation are less prominent compared to the emphasis on soil health and ecosystem services.

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