Boreal birch forests, dominated by Betula pendula and Betula pubescens, are significant components of Northern European and North American landscapes. These forests play a vital role in climate change mitigation by sequestering carbon and enhancing ecosystem resilience. This study aims to evaluate global scientific research trends concerning the management of boreal birch forests, with an emphasis on climate adaptation. We conducted a two-phase study: first, a bibliometric analysis of 287 peer-reviewed publications from 1978 to 2024 sourced from the Web of Science and Scopus databases; and second, a qualitative literature review based on refined selection criteria guided by the PRISMA framework. The analysis revealed that most research originates from Finland, Canada, Sweden, and the USA. Our findings were categorized into four thematic areas: management issues, abiotic and biotic drivers of forest dynamics, climate adaptation strategies, and current management practices. Furthermore, the results indicate an increasing research focus on climate-smart silviculture, biodiversity-oriented thinning, and mixed-species forestry. The review highlights significant management challenges and identifies knowledge gaps, particularly in genetic diversity, soil biota, and socio-economic dimensions. We conclude that adaptive, multifunctional management of boreal birch forests is essential for sustaining their ecological and economic roles in a changing climate.

Understanding how carbon is stored and stabilized in temperate agricultural soils is central to addressing one of the defining environmental challenges of our time—climate change. In this review, we bridge quantitative bibliometric insights with a qualitative synthesis of the mechanisms, regional differences, management practices, and models governing soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics. We systematically analyzed 481 peer-reviewed publications published between 1990 and 2024, retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science, using bibliometric tools such as VOSviewer to map research trends, collaboration networks, and thematic evolution. The bibliometric analysis revealed a marked increase in publications after 2010, coinciding with growing global interest in climate-smart agriculture and carbon sequestration policies. Comparative synthesis across temperate sub-regions—such as the humid temperate plains of Europe, the semi-arid temperate zones, and the temperate black soil region of Northeast China—reveals that the effectiveness of common practices varies with soil mineralogy, texture, moisture regimes, and historical land-use. Reduced tillage (average SOC gain of 0.25 Mg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), cover cropping (0.32 Mg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), and organic amendments such as compost and biochar (up to 1.1 Mg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) consistently enhance SOC accumulation, but with region-specific outcomes driven by these contextual factors. Recognizing such heterogeneity is essential for developing regionally actionable management recommendations. Recent advances in machine learning, remote sensing, and process-based modeling are enabling more accurate and scalable monitoring of SOC stocks, yet challenges remain in integrating micro-scale stabilization processes with regional and global assessments. To address these gaps, this review highlights a multi-method integration pathway—combining field measurements, mechanistic modeling, data-driven approaches, and policy instruments that incentivize adoption of evidence-based practices. By combining quantitative bibliometric analysis with regionally informed mechanistic synthesis, this review provides a holistic understanding of how knowledge about SOC in temperate agroecosystems has evolved and where future opportunities lie. The findings underscore that temperate agricultural soils, when supported by appropriate scientific practices and enabling policy frameworks, represent one of the most accessible natural climate solutions for advancing climate-resilient and sustainable food systems.

Lead (Pb) is a persistent and toxic heavy metal that threatens aquatic ecosystems. Wetlands act as natural filters, while beaver dams influence sediment deposition and metal retention. This study investigates Pb fixation in wetland sediments by analyzing its spatial and temporal variations, considering organic matter content and sediment composition. Pb concentrations were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), and fixation processes were assessed using concentration coefficients relative to background values (15 µg g⁻¹, Lithuanian Hygiene Standard HN 60:2004). A total of 165 sediment samples were collected during the spring and the autumn of 2022 and 2023 across three study sites. The results indicate that Pb fixation strongly correlates with organic carbon content, while sediment texture influences its mobility. A key finding is that beaver dams contribute to Pb retention by altering hydrodynamic conditions and sedimentation patterns. Despite sediment stability, new Pb inputs continue to enter water bodies, depending on pollution sources. However, Pb concentrations remain within background levels and do not exceed the Maximum Allowable Concentration (MAC). These findings are essential for wetland conservation and contribute to sustainable strategies for mitigating heavy metal contamination in aquatic ecosystems.

Beaver dam–pond systems reshape the hydrology of lowland landscapes by slowing water flow and trapping sediments, thereby reducing the movement of pollutants. This study examined how such beaver-engineered wetlands can naturally filter and signal contamination risks associated with lead (Pb). We combined data from three matrices—bottom sediments, riparian vegetation, and non-invasively collected beaver fur—across three Lithuanian sites (2022–2024). Previously published datasets on plants and sediments were complemented with new information from beaver fur to explore seasonal and age-related effects as well as differences inside and outside dam zones. Lead levels were consistently higher in sediments than in plants, while beaver fur reflected variable, site-specific exposures. These results show that beaver activity contributes to the capture and redistribution of sediment-bound Pb in wetland buffers. The approach demonstrates how beaver habitats can serve as low-cost, nature-based sentinels for pollutant monitoring. Using beaver fur as a non-invasive bioindicator and managing dam stability can improve the ecological and policy relevance of buffer zones. Overall, the findings support the integration of beaver-engineered wetlands into environmental management and EU water policy, contributing to SDG 6 goals for clean water and sustainable wetland use.

Anthropogenic polymers have become an increasingly important class of emerging contaminants in terrestrial ecosystems. While extensive research has focused on microplastics in aquatic environments, their interactions with soil systems and particularly with soil organic matter (SOM) remain insufficiently understood. Soil represents a major environmental sink for polymer residues originating from agricultural practices, urban activities, and atmospheric deposition. Accordingly, associations between polymers and SOM, including humic substances, may significantly influence the retention, mobility, and transformation of carbon in soil systems. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the influence of synthetic polymers on soil organic matter dynamics. A bibliometric and qualitative literature analysis based on publications indexed in Web of Science and Scopus from 1979 to 2025 was conducted to identify major research trends and knowledge gaps. The results indicate that polymer particles can alter soil structure, microbial activity, and sorption processes, thereby affecting the stability and cycling of soil organic carbon. Interactions between polymer surfaces and humic substances may modify aggregation processes and influence the persistence and mobility of both polymers and organic carbon compounds. Despite the rapid growth of research on microplastics, studies addressing polymer–SOM interactions remain limited and methodologically heterogeneous. Greater integration between polymer research, soil science, and land use studies is necessary to better understand the implications of polymer contamination for soil quality and carbon cycling. The findings highlight the need for standardized analytical approaches and interdisciplinary research frameworks to assess the long-term effects of polymers in soil ecosystems.