Stable Isotopes in Ecosystem and Environmental Studies

Over the past decade, stable isotope methods have undergone remarkable advancements, ranging from high-resolution analytical techniques to innovative mixing models and in-situ monitoring systems. These methodological breakthroughs are transforming our ability to investigate the mechanistic foundations of ecological and biogeochemical processes, including plant-animal interactions, habitat resource use, decomposition, nutrient cycling, greenhouse gas production, and environmental provenance. The continual evolution of analytical technologies now enables multidimensional isotope analysis across a broader array of compounds. This expansion requires the parallel development of robust interpretive frameworks, allowing the researchers to extract precise and sound conclusions from increasingly complex datasets.

This Research Topic will explore recent advances in stable isotope methods, their integration with complementary techniques, and innovative applications that reveal mechanisms governing light biogenic element flows (H, O, C, N, and S), ecosystem boundaries, ecosystem resource use and feedbacks across various scales. Furthermore, it will also review the expanding alignment between isotope analysis and numerical modelling, enabling robust quantitative interpretations of the isotope datasets.

We welcome submissions including, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Innovations in isotope and multi-tracer analytical methodologies
• Isotopic quantification of microbial, plant, and animal-mediated processes
• Stable isotope studies of temporal and spatial changes
• Integration of isotope data with molecular, mineralogical, or remote sensing analyses
• Modeling isotope mixing, fractionation, and feedback mechanisms
• Field and laboratory isotope studies identifying anthropogenic impacts
• Cross-ecosystem linkages revealed through isotope case studies

We would like to acknowledge lead editor, Assoc. Prof Dominika Lewicka-Szczebak, for spearheading and guiding this Research Topic.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: isotope, isotopic, modelling, transport, source, ecosystem, environment, biochemical cycling, stable isotope ecology, biogenic

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.