1. Research Background

Dr. Ruyi Luo holds a PhD in Soil Science. He is a Youth Associate Professor and Master’s Supervisor. His research focuses on key processes and regulatory mechanisms of soil organic‑carbon accumulation, an international cutting‑edge hotspot. Taking alpine ecosystems on the Qinghai Plateau as the research object, he adopts field manipulative experiments, laboratory incubation experiments, meta‑analysis and other approaches, and integrates biomarkers, isotope tracing, molecular biology and other technologies. His main research interests include formation and stabilization mechanisms of soil organic carbon, responses of soil carbon dynamics to environmental change, and coupled carbon‑nitrogen‑phosphorus biogeochemistry in soils.

His research findings have been published as first‑author papers in journals including Global Change Biology, Soil Biology and Biochemistry, and Geoderma. His publications have accumulated nearly 1000 citations with an H‑index of 12 (Google Scholar). Two papers are ESI Highly Cited Papers, and one paper received the Top‑Ten Outstanding Young Academic Paper Award from the Chinese Ecosystem Research Network (CERN). He has presided over 7 research grants including General/Youth Programs of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, General Program of China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, and General/Youth Programs of Sichuan Provincial Natural Science Foundation.

2. Education and Work Experience

2025.01‑present Youth Associate Professor, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

2023.07‑present Assistant Research Professor, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

2020.09‑2023.09 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

2020.07‑2023.07 Special Research Assistant, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

2014.09‑2020.07 PhD in Agronomy, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing

2010.09‑2014.06 BSc in Agronomy, College of Resources and Environment, Sichuan Agricultural University

1. Formation and stabilization mechanisms of soil organic carbon

2. Responses of soil carbon dynamics to environmental change

3. Coupled soil carbon‑nitrogen‑phosphorus biogeochemistry

1. Aug 2024 Top‑Ten Outstanding Young Academic Paper Award, Chinese Ecosystem Research Network (CERN), Chinese Academy of Sciences (for work of year 2022)

2. Jun 2022 “Pioneer Party Member” Honor, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

# denotes equal contribution; * denotes corresponding author)

1. Luo Ruyi, Kuzyakov Yakov, Zhu Biao, Qiang Wei, Zhang Yan, Pang Xueyong*. Phosphorus addition decreases plant lignin but increases microbial necromass contribution to soil organic carbon in a subalpine forest. Global Change Biology, 2022, 28, 4194‑4210. (ESI Highly Cited Paper)

2. Luo Ruyi, Kuzyakov Yakov, Liu Deyan, Fan Jianling, Luo Jiafa, Lindsey Stuart, He Jin‑Sheng, Ding Weixin*. Nutrient addition reduces carbon sequestration in a Tibetan grassland soil: Disentangling microbial and physical controls. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 2020, 144, 107764. (ESI Highly Cited Paper)

3. Luo Ruyi, Kuzyakov Yakov, Chen Ji, Qiang Wei, Zhang Yan, Pang Xueyong*. Phosphorus enrichment mediates the responses of plant lignin and microbial necromass accumulation to nitrogen addition in subalpine forest soil. Geoderma, 2025, 458, 117317.

4. Luo Ruyi, Fan Jianling, Wang Weijin, Luo Jiafa, Kuzyakov Yakov, He Jin‑sheng, Chu Haiyan, Ding Weixin*. Nitrogen and phosphorus enrichment accelerates soil organic carbon loss in alpine grassland on the Qinghai‑Xizang Plateau. Science of the Total Environment, 2019, 650, 303‑312.

5. Luo Ruyi, Luo Jiafa, Fan Jianling, Liu Deyan, He Jin‑Sheng, Perveen Nazia, Ding Weixin*. Responses of soil microbial communities and functions associated with organic carbon mineralization to nitrogen addition in a Tibetan grassland. Pedosphere, 2020, 30, 214‑225.

6. Zhang Zhuoting#, Luo Ruyi#, Liu Qinghua, Qiang Wei, Liang Jin, Hou Enqing, Zhao Chunzhang*, Pang Xueyong*. Linking soil phosphorus fractions to abiotic factors and the microbial community during subalpine secondary succession: Implications for soil phosphorus availability. Catena, 2023, 233, 107501.

7. Miao Yuncai, Yuan Junji, He Tiehu, Tang Bo, Luo Ruyi, Ding Weixin*. Dual pathways of soil organic carbon stabilization under organic management: A global synthesis integrating NanoSIMS evidence. Soil & Tillage Research, 2027, 265, 107412.

8. Du Lei, Luo Ruyi, Liu Qinghua, Luo Lin, Zhan Juan, Yin Chunying, Pang Xueyong*. Vegetation succession triggers a non‑linear trajectory of SOC molecular architecture driven by microbial resource acquisition strategies. Journal of Applied Ecology, 2026, 63, e70356.

9. Luo Lin, Luo Ruyi, Liu Qinghua, Du Lei, Zhu Yue, Wang Entao, Pang Xueyong, Yin Chunying*. Parallel responses of gross nitrogen mineralization rate and related functional gene abundance along subalpine secondary succession. Journal of Applied Ecology, 2026, 63, e70340.

10. Li Ruixuan, Sun Rong, Zhang Qing, Liu Qinghua, Luo Ruyi, Yin Chunying, Pang Xueyong*. Shifts in core taxa drive microbial community stability and soil multifunctionality during alpine ecological restoration. Journal of Applied Ecology, 2026, 63, e70262.

11. Zhou Junbo, Liu Qinghua, Luo Ruyi, Zhan Juan, Luo Lin, Jiang Xianjun*, Pang Xueyong*. Microbial community robustness and function are associated with yield and multifunctionality under rice rotation in the subtropical Anning River Valley. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 2026, 399, 110164.

12. Li Ruixuan, Liu Qinghua, Luo Ruyi, Zhan Juan, Wang Pengpeng, Yin Chunying, Pang Xueyong. Disentangling assembly processes of bacterial and fungal communities in alpine slope ecological restoration. Catena, 2026, 262, 109632.

13. Feng Yilin, Tu Chengwei, Zhang Ajuan, Luo Ruyi, Pang Xueyong*. Multitrophic energy flux in soil micro‑food webs: the primacy of functional diversity across primary and secondary forest succession. Geoderma, 2026, 468, 117784.

14. Li Ruixuan, Yang Guiqiao, Zhan Juan, Liu Qinghua, Luo Ruyi, Chen Chaoqun, Pang Xueyong*. Phosphate‑solubilizing bacteria enhance carbon accumulation by mediating microbial functions in alpine restoration. Land Degradation & Development, 2026, 37, 9694‑9706.

15. Du Lei, Bol Roland, Tu Chengwei, Sun Xiaolei, Luo Ruyi, Liu Qinghua, Luo Lin, Zhan Juan, Yin Chunying, Zhu Biao, Pang Xueyong*, Fanin Nicolas. Micro‑faunal and edaphic controls on microbial carbon cycling across primary and secondary successional trajectories. Global Change Biology, 2025, 31, e70642.

16. Luo Lin, Luo Ruyi, Liu Qinghua, Du Lei, Wang Entao, Tang Bo, Meidl Peter, Li Ruixuan, Yin Chunying*, Pang Xueyong*. Divergent microbial nitrogen‑limitation dynamics between primary and secondary succession in subalpine ecosystems of the eastern Qinghai‑Xizang Plateau. Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 2025, 39, e2025GB008852.

17. Li Ruixuan, Luo Ruyi, Kuzyakov Yakov, Liu Qinghua, Pang Xueyong*. Relative contributions of biotic vs. abiotic drivers to iron and manganese dynamics during subalpine vegetation succession. Catena, 2025, 259, 109345.

18. Li Jianming#, Liu Qinghua#, Luo Ruyi, Zhan Juan, Li Ruixuan, Wang Jianfei, Pang Xueyong*. Soil microbial resource limitation and use efficiency shift with turf transplantation and polygonal cracking in alpine meadows of the Qinghai‑Xizang Plateau. Soil & Tillage Research, 2025, 253, 106665.

19. Zhang Ajuan, Potapov Anton M., Luo Ruyi, Zhang Yan, Qiang Wei, Liu Bing, Pang Xueyong*. Protist communities are correlated with abiotic soil factors, but not resources, prey, or predators along a subalpine secondary succession. Geoderma, 2025, 458, 117310.

20. Li Ruixuan, Liu Qinghua, Luo Ruyi, Wang Jianfei, Li Liu, Chen Chaoqun, Pang Xueyong*. Challenges in alpine meadow recovery: The minor effect of grass restoration on microbial resource limitation. Journal of Environmental Management, 2025, 374, 124086.

21. Li Ruixuan, Wang Pengpeng, Liu Qinghua, Luo Ruyi, Pang Xueyong*. Microbial functional groups govern soil multifunctionality during alpine grassland restoration via turf transplantation. Catena, 2025, 258, 109269.

22. Tu Chengwei, Zhang Ajuan, Luo Ruyi, Qiang Wei, Zhang Yan, Pang Xueyong*, Kuzyakov Yakov. Linking nematode trophic diversity to plantation identity and soil nutrient cycling. Geoderma, 2024, 116945.

23. Wang Min, Lin Mao, Liu Qinghua, Zhang Yan, Luo Ruyi, Pang Xueyong*. Altitudinal decline of vegetation restoration effects on soil microbial communities on high‑altitude roadside slopes: Environmental drivers and management implications. Science of The Total Environment, 2024, 177424.

24. Qiang Wei, Gunina Anna, Kuzyakov Yakov, Luo Ruyi, Zhang Yan, Liu Bing, Pang Xueyong*. Shifts of understory vegetation induced by thinning drive the expansion of soil rare fungi. Journal of Environmental Management, 2023, 118119.

25. Zhang Yan, Zhang Ajuan, Scheu Stefan, Bhusal Daya Ram, Luo Ruyi, Qiang Wei, Wang Min, Pang Xueyong*. Phosphorus addition increases the total abundance and favors microbivorous Collembola in subalpine plantation forest. Applied Soil Ecology, 2023, 104948.

26. Miao Yuncai#, Niu Yuhui#, Luo Ruyi, Li Ye, Zheng Huijie, Kuzyakov Yakov, Chen Zengming*, Liu Deyan, Ding Weixin*. Lower microbial carbon use efficiency reduces cellulose‑derived carbon retention in soils amended with compost versus mineral fertilizers. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 2021, 156: 108227.

27. Fan Jianling*, Luo Ruyi, McConkey Brian, Ziadi Noura. Effects of nitrogen deposition and litter layer management on soil CO₂, N₂O, and CH₄ emissions in a subtropical pine forestland. Scientific Reports, 2020, 10: 8959.

28. Fan Jianling*, Luo Ruyi, Liu Deyan, Chen Zengming, Luo Jiafa, Boland Nanthi, Tang Jianwu, Hao Mingde, McConkey Brian, Ding Weixin*. Stover retention rather than no‑till decreases the global warming potential of rainfed continuous maize cropland. Field Crops Research, 2018, 219, 14‑23.

29. Luo Ruyi, Zhang Shirong*, Xu Xiaoxun, Li Ting. Profile distribution characteristics of soil organic nitrogen fractions in wetland of the lower Heihe River. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2015, 35(4), 956‑964.

30. Zhu Yue, Luo Ruyi, He Chengjing, Wang Pengpeng, Cao Tingying, Luo Jiangcheng, Wang Yanjie*, Pang Xueyong*. Research progress on soil health under anti‑seasonal vegetable cultivation. Chinese Journal of Applied & Environmental Biology, 2026, 32(1): 152‑164.

31. Zhang Zhuoting, Tao Ran, Luo Ruyi, Zhou Jun, Li Zihao, Zhao Chunzhang*, Pang Xueyong*. Research progress on soil phosphorus fractions and availability during secondary succession. Chinese Journal of Applied & Environmental Biology, 2024, 30(01): 176‑185.

32. Zhang Yan, Qiang Wei, Luo Ruyi, Wang Min, Pang Xueyong*. Research advances in effects of nitrogen and phosphorus addition on soil microbial growth, turnover and carbon‑use efficiency. Chinese Journal of Applied & Environmental Biology, 2022, 28(2): 526‑534.

33. Zhang Yan, Zhang Ajuan, Luo Ruyi, Pang Xueyong*. Responses of soil springtails to nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients: A review. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2022, 33(9): 2585‑2592.

1. General Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China. Mechanisms of Microbe‑Mineral Co‑regulation on Soil Organic‑Carbon Formation and Stability during Primary and Secondary Succession in Subalpine Southwest China. Grant No.42677404, 490000 CNY, 2027.01‑2030.12, PI

2. Youth Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China. Impacts of Nitrogen‑Phosphorus Enrichment on Soil Organic‑Carbon Accumulation and Stability in Subalpine Forests and Underlying Microbially Mediated Mechanisms. Grant No.42107323, 300000 CNY, 2022.01‑2024.12, PI

3. General Program of China Postdoctoral Science Foundation. Effects of Thinning on Soil Organic‑Carbon Accumulation in Subalpine Spruce Plantations and Microbially Mediated Mechanisms. Grant No.2021M693111, 80000 CNY, 2021.07‑2023.07, PI

4. General Program of Sichuan Provincial Natural Science Foundation. Mechanisms of Soil Organic‑Carbon Formation and Stabilization during Subalpine Forest Restoration in Western Sichuan: Perspectives of Microbial‑Carbon Pump and Mineral‑Carbon Pump. Grant No.2026NSFSC0131, 150000 CNY, 2026.01‑2027.12, PI

5. Youth Program of Sichuan Provincial Natural Science Foundation. Mechanisms for Divergent Soil Organic‑Carbon Sequestration under Natural versus Artificial Restoration of Degraded Subalpine Forests in Southwest China. Grant No.2023NSFSC1222, 100000 CNY, 2023.01‑2024.12, PI

6. Project of the 3rd National Soil Survey of Sichuan Province. Soil Biological Survey for Panzhihua and Aba Prefecture Regions. 1580000 CNY, 2023.09‑2025.12, PI

7. Project of the 3rd National Soil Survey of Sichuan Province. Farmland Soil Property Analysis for Soil Health Assessment in Sichuan. 300000 CNY, 2025.01‑2026.12, PI