Zhifeng Xun | Soil Carbon | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Environmental Scientists

Dr. Zhifeng Xun | Soil Carbon | Best Researcher Award

Lecturer | Liaoning Agricultural Vocation and Technical College | China

Dr. Zhifeng Xun is a lecturer at Liaoning Agricultural Vocational and Technical College with a strong academic background in Grassland Science and Turfgrass Resources and Utilization. His research focuses on soil carbon and nitrogen cycling and the microbial pathways responsible for the production of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N₂O). Through a combination of biological inhibition experiments and high-throughput sequencing, he has identified fungi, particularly Ascomycota, as significant contributors to N₂O emissions under nitrogen fertilization, revealing that moderate nitrogen input disproportionately stimulates fungal-driven emissions. Dr. Zhifeng Xunhas contributed to multiple major research programs, enhancing the understanding of microbial mechanisms in urban lawn soils and providing a scientific foundation for sustainable nitrogen management in green spaces. He has authored four journal publications and a book, advancing knowledge in ecosystem management and climate change mitigation. His work integrates soil science and microbial ecology to inform practical strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting resilient, sustainable urban landscapes. His research has garnered 16 citations across 16 documents, with an h-index of 2.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid 

Featured Publications

Xun, Z., Zhao, M., Zhao, X., Wang, M., Liu, Y., Han, X., Zhang, Y., Wu, Y., & Quan, Z. (2025-10). Role of fungi in N<sub>2</sub>O emissions from nitrogen-fertilized lawn soil. Nitrogen.

Quan, Z., Li, S., Xun, Z., Liu, C., Liu, D., Wang, Y., Zhao, X., Yang, M., Lu, C., Chen, X., et al. (2024-07). Evaluating the effects of reduced N application, a nitrification inhibitor, and straw incorporation on fertilizer-N fates in the maize growing season: A field <sup>15</sup>N tracer study. Nitrogen.

Quan, Z., Li, S., Xun, Z., Liu, C., Liu, D., Wang, Y., Zhao, X., Yang, M., Lu, C., Chen, X., et al. (2024). Effects of reduced N application, nitrification inhibitor, and straw incorporation on fertilizer-N fates in maize cropping system: A field <sup>15</sup>N tracer study in Northeastern China. Working paper.

Nawar Al-Tameemi | Soil and Water Conservation | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Environmental Scientists

Dr. Nawar Al-Tameemi | Soil and Water Conservation | Best Researcher Award

Research Assistant | Beijing Forestry University | China

Dr. Nawar Al-Tameemi is a dedicated research assistant at Beijing Forestry University specializing in environmental science, remote sensing, and geospatial analysis. His work focuses on understanding and mitigating land degradation and desertification in arid and semi-arid regions through advanced data-driven approaches. He has contributed to pioneering research projects that examine vegetation degradation, land-use change, and desertification risk mapping by integrating satellite-derived data, statistical analyses, and machine learning techniques. Dr. Nawar Al-Tameemi develops innovative frameworks that objectively assess the influence of climatic, vegetative, and human factors on land degradation, providing high-precision risk maps to inform sustainable land management and policy interventions. His research enhances the accuracy and applicability of environmental monitoring tools and supports targeted strategies to promote soil and water conservation. With publications in leading journals such as MDPI Remote Sensing and practical experience in applied projects, he bridges academic research with real-world environmental solutions. Committed to advancing knowledge in sustainable land use, Dr. Nawar Al-Tameemi also contributes to mentoring, collaboration, and capacity-building in climate education, fostering awareness of ecological resilience and the adoption of clean, sustainable practices across vulnerable landscapes.

Profile: Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Al-Tameemi, N., Xuexia, Z., Shahzad, F., Mehmood, K., Linying, X., & Zhou, J. (2025). From trends to drivers: Vegetation degradation and land-use change in Babil and Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq (2000–2023). Remote Sensing, 17(19), 3343.

Shixiu Zhang | Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Environmental Scientists

Prof. Dr. Shixiu Zhang | Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

Professor, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy, China

Dr. Shixiu Zhang is a distinguished Professor at the Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. 🏛️ With a Ph.D. in Soil Science, he has contributed significantly to soil ecology, particularly in black soil fertility and carbon sequestration. 🌱 A recognized expert in sustainable land use, he has led 18 high-impact projects and authored over 50 scientific articles. 📚 Dr. Zhang holds 7 patents and serves in editorial roles for reputed journals. His dedication to soil health and agroecological resilience earned him accolades including the “Changbai Talent” Young Top Talent Award. 🏆

Profile

Google Scholar

🎓 Education

Dr. Zhang earned his Ph.D. in Soil Science from the Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. 🧪 His academic journey reflects deep-rooted expertise in environmental sustainability and soil-plant-microbe interactions. 🎓 This robust educational foundation laid the groundwork for his leadership in agroecological research and innovation. 🌾

💼 Professional Experience

Currently serving as a professor at the Chinese Academy’s Northeast Institute, Dr. Zhang has directed 18 national and regional projects and supervised both academic and field-based studies. 🔬 With consultancy work and collaborations spanning across China, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands, he integrates theory with practice, advancing eco-friendly farming systems and precision agriculture. 🌍

🔬 Research Interest

Dr. Zhang’s research centers on soil ecology, particularly soil food webs, biodiversity, and biological mechanisms of soil fertility. 🌿 His studies decode how soil organisms influence carbon sequestration, nitrogen cycling, and crop yield. His conservation tillage strategies aim to boost soil health while reducing environmental impacts. 🌏🪱

🏆 Awards and Honors

Dr. Zhang has received multiple honors including the “Changbai Talent” Young Top Talent Award, Jilin Provincial Excellent Youth Fund, and Provincial Second Prize in Natural Science for his groundbreaking work in organic carbon stabilization in black soils. 🥇 His efforts have not only earned scholarly respect but practical application in national soil management strategies. 🧩

📚 Publications

Soil biodiversity enhances ecosystem multifunctionality – Soil Biology & Biochemistry, 2020 (Cited by: 205)

Biotic interactions increase with soil carbon sequestration – Global Change Biology, 2021 (Cited by: 132)

Functional redundancy stabilizes soil micro-food webs – Geoderma, 2022 (Cited by: 89)

Soil food web complexity supports black soil recovery – Soil & Tillage Research, 2023 (Cited by: 42)

Carbon stabilization mechanisms in agroecosystems – Science of the Total Environment, 2022 (Cited by: 61)

🏁 Conclusion

Professor Shixiu Zhang presents an outstanding profile marked by high-impact research, innovation, academic leadership, and collaborative excellence in soil ecology and sustainable land management. With significant contributions to black soil fertility restoration and biological soil function, he is highly suitable and strongly recommended for the Best Researcher Award. Minor additions such as broader public engagement and book publications would elevate his profile even further.