Prof. Dr. Zuoqiang Yuan | Ecology and Conservation | Research Exellence Award

Northwestern Polytechnical University | China

Prof. Dr. Zuoqiang Yuan is a distinguished ecologist whose research focuses on forest ecosystem dynamics, biodiversity maintenance, and the multifunctionality of temperate and tropical forest systems. As a Professor at the School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, he integrates long-term field monitoring, soil science, microbiology, and plant physiology to unravel the mechanisms governing forest responses to environmental change. His scientific work emphasizes enhanced rock weathering, soil organic carbon accumulation, plant–soil interactions, microbial community structures, and the stability of forest ecosystems under natural and anthropogenic disturbances. With an impressive scholarly record reflected by 4,218 citations generated from 3,624 documents, 106 published documents, and an h-index of 31, Prof. Yuan has established himself as a leading authority in ecosystem research and biogeochemical processes. His publications span high-impact international journals, covering topics such as nutrient cycling, ectomycorrhizal dynamics, photosynthetic regulation, carbon sequestration pathways, and biodiversity–function relationships in forested landscapes. He has significantly contributed to advancing ecological theory and its practical applications in ecosystem restoration, conservation planning, and sustainable forestry management. His leadership extends to editorial roles in well-recognized scientific journals, guest editorship in thematic issues on plant–soil interactions and biodiversity, and involvement in national and international research collaborations. In addition, he has served as a nomination expert for global science and technology awards and received recognition for his contributions to ecological innovation and young scientist development. Through extensive projects supported by major research foundations, he continues to pioneer integrative approaches that link above- and below-ground ecological processes, aiming to improve ecosystem functioning and predictive models in the context of climate change and environmental stressors. Prof. Yuan’s rigorous and impactful work positions him at the forefront of contemporary forest ecology and ecosystem sustainability research.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Dakhil, M. A., Yang, X., Yuan, Z., Hao, Z., Bebber, D. P., & Halmy, M. W. A. (2025).
Ensemble modelling of dominant tree communities for smart afforestation planning in China. Landscape Ecology, 40(11), 203.

Xu, T., Li, H., Vicca, S., Goll, D., Beerling, D. J., Chen, Q., Bi, B. Y., Yang, Z. C., Wang, X., & Yuan, Z. (2025).
Enhanced rock weathering promotes soil organic carbon accumulation: A global meta-analysis from experimental evidence. Global Change Biology, 31(9), e70483.

Chen, Q., Goll, D. S., Abdalqadir, M., He, X., Li, G., Bi, B., … & Yuan, Z. (2025).
Divergent responses of carbon and nitrogen functional genes composition to enhanced rock weathering. Communications Earth & Environment, 6(1), 645.

Li, H., Cao, Y., Xiao, J., Zhang, W., Wu, Y., Ali, A., & Yuan, Z. (2025).
Unveiling uncertainties in soil organic carbon modeling: The critical role of climate response functions. Environmental Modelling & Software, 106537.

Chen, Q., Li, H., Yu, F., Lyu, R., Li, Z., Hao, Z., & Yuan, Z. (2025).
Global mycorrhizal status drives leaf δ¹⁵N patterns. Journal of Ecology, 113(5), 1150–1163.

Mr. Fuhua Zhang | Ecology and Conservation | Editorial Board Member

South China Normal University | China

Mr. Fuhua Zhang is an accomplished associate researcher at the School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, widely recognized for his long-standing commitment to pangolin research and conservation. With a strong academic foundation that includes a Ph.D. in Ecology, an M.Phil. in Zoology, and a B.Sc. in Biological Science, he has built a multidisciplinary perspective essential to advancing wildlife protection. Over 15 years of dedicated work, he has extensively explored Chinese and Sunda pangolins across multiple dimensions, from conservation breeding and physiological adaptation to public consumption behavior and illegal trade dynamics. His research continues to play a pivotal role in understanding wild pangolin populations, optimizing habitat conservation planning, and disrupting illegal trafficking networks. Demonstrating notable scholarly impact, Mr. Zhang has produced 24 documents, accumulating 274 citations across 185 citing documents, and achieving an h-index of 9, reflecting the growing global relevance of his contributions. His publications span high-impact journals and cover diverse topics including habitat distribution modeling, gut microbiome adaptations, illegal wildlife trade network analysis, and long-term ecological assessments. He has also secured competitive research funding from major national and regional programs supporting pangolin conservation initiatives and has actively contributed to professional communities through roles in the Zoological Society of Guangdong and the Youth Editorial Board of the Chinese Journal of Wildlife. Through his persistent efforts in scientific research, conservation practice, and public advocacy, Mr. Fuhua Zhang continues to advance the protection of one of the world’s most threatened mammal groups, shaping strategies that bridge ecological science, wildlife management, and policy implementation.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Xi, F., Chao, X., Wu, S., & Zhang, F. (2025). Curbing the trade in pangolin scales in China by revealing the characteristics of the illegal trade network. Scientific Reports, 15, 2685.

Zhang, F., et al. (2024). Predicting the distribution and characteristics of Chinese pangolin habitat in China: Implications for conservation. Global Ecology and Conservation, 51, e02907.

Zhang, F., et al. (2023). The illegal trade network of pangolin meat in Chinese mainland and its implications for the implementation of key interventions. Biodiversity Science, 31(10), 23079. (In Chinese)