Biochar for Forest Restoration, Sustainable Plant Production and Circular Bioeconomy

Biochar has emerged as a promising nature-based solution for addressing global challenges related to climate change, soil degradation, biomass waste management, and ecosystem restoration. Produced through the thermochemical conversion of organic residues, biochar can improve soil physical, chemical, and biological properties while contributing to long-term carbon sequestration. In recent years, increasing attention has been given to its applications in forest restoration, nursery production systems, agriculture, and circular bioeconomy initiatives. The use of locally available biomass residues to produce biochar creates opportunities to transform waste streams into value-added products, promoting sustainable land management and resource efficiency. Despite significant advances, knowledge gaps remain regarding feedstock selection, production technologies, mechanisms of action, long-term environmental impacts, and large-scale implementation strategies across different ecosystems and production systems.

This Research Topic aims to bring together recent advances and emerging perspectives on the development and application of biochar for forest restoration, sustainable plant production, and circular bioeconomy strategies. We seek original research articles, reviews, perspectives, and case studies that enhance scientific understanding of biochar production, characterization, and utilization in both natural and managed ecosystems. Particular emphasis will be placed on studies evaluating biochar effects on soil quality, nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, plant growth, seedling production, clonal propagation, ecosystem recovery, and sustainable biomass valorization. Contributions addressing innovative approaches, including engineered biochars, biochar-based substrates, nutrient-enriched biochars, and integrated waste management systems, are especially encouraged. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue among researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and industry stakeholders, this Research Topic aims to identify opportunities, challenges, and future directions for maximizing the environmental, economic, and social benefits of biochar in sustainable development pathways.

We welcome submissions covering, but not limited to, the following topics:

Biochar production technologies and feedstock evaluation;

Biochar characterization and quality assessment;

Biochar for forest restoration and ecosystem recovery;

Biochar in forest nurseries and sustainable seedling production;

Biochar-based substrates for plant propagation and clonal forestry;

Soil fertility, nutrient retention, and nutrient recovery;

Carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation;

Biochar interactions with soil microbiota and plant health;

Circular bioeconomy and biomass waste valorization;

Biochar applications in agroforestry and sustainable land-use systems;

Environmental risk assessment and long-term field evaluations;

Socioeconomic, policy, and implementation aspects of biochar technologies.

Article types and fees

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

• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• ... 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:

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

Keywords: Biochar, Forest Restoration, Sustainable Plan Production, Circular Bioeconomy, Carbon Sequestration

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.