Wei Zhang
Wei Zhang, Ph D, Associate Professor
E-mail: zwgwyd@163.com
Education:
2009/09-2013/06 Chongqing Normal University, Biological Science, BS.
2013/09-2016/06 Northwest A&F University, Botany Science, MS.
2016/08-2019/06 Northwest A&F University, Crop Science, Ph.D.
Work Experience:
2019/06-2025.12 Associate Professor, Department of Grassland Science, College of Grassland Agriculture, Northwest A&F University
2026/01- Professor, Department of Grassland Science, College of Grassland Agriculture, Northwest A&F University
Research Interests:
Grassland resource management and utilization, grassland ecosystem and global change, structure and function of grassland agricultural ecosystems, theory and technology of grassland ecosystem restoration
Teaching Course:
Ecology, Grassland survey and planning, Weed Science
National demand and national strategy of forage industry, General Ecology, Grassland survey and planning, Grassland resource survey and pasture management practice, Investigation of rural revitalization in the west, Comprehensive experiment on grassland resources and ecology; Grassland resource typology, Modern grassland management and application cases, Introduction to forage science
Grants:
Project director:
[1] Diagnostic Assessment of Ecosystem Degradation Mechanism and Core Obstacles in Ningxia Desert Grassland (2026BEG02047), Key R&D Program of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, 2026.01-2028.12;
[2] Response of Soil Organic Carbon Reservoir Stability to Precipitation Change and Its Microbial Mechanism in Grassland Grassland on the Loess Plateau (2025ZC-KJXX-11), Shaanxi Province Innovation Capacity Support Program, 2026.01-2027.12;
[3] Research and Demonstration of Technology for Improving the Supply Capacity of High-quality Forage in Gar County, Ali Region (XZ202501ZY0089), Key R&D Program of the Department of Science and Technology of Tibet Autonomous Region, 2025.03-2027.02;
[4] Evaluation of the Vegetation-Soil Restoration Effect of the "Grass-Light Complementarity" Model in Northern Shaanxi Region (2025026030206200), Shaanxi Forestry and Grassland Reform and Development Fund Project, 2025.01-2026.12;
[5] Development and Application of Microbial Agents for Saline-alkali Grassland Restoration (JSYF20250615), Horizontal Project of Shaanxi Shilaowan Hemeixiang Construction Co., Ltd., 2025.07-2026.07;
[6] Research on Key Technologies for Collaborative Improvement of Fertility and Productivity in Low- and Medium-yield Fields in Yangling Demonstration Zone (2024NY-01), Science and Technology Plan of Yangling Demonstration Zone, 2024.12-2026.11;
[7] Background Investigation of Plant Species and Pests at the Designated Supervision Site for Inbound Grain at Xi'an Railway Port (20240262504758), Horizontal Project of Xi'an Port Assembly Center Construction Co., Ltd., 2024.01-2024.12;
[8] Research and Development and Demonstration of Collaborative Improvement Technology for Ecology-Production Efficiency of Degraded Grassland in Sha District, Yulin City (2023-CXY-180), Yulin Science and Technology Program of Industry-University-Research Cooperation Project, 2024.01-2025.12;
[9] Census of Agricultural Invasive Alien Organisms in Xi'an International Port Area (2023-LY-012), Horizontal Project of Yangling Lingyu Modern Agricultural Research Institute Co., Ltd., 2023.01-2023.12;
[10] Near-natural restoration mechanism and technical pathway of degraded grassland in the middle reaches of the Yellow River (Shaanxi section) (2022SF-285), Shaanxi Provincial Key R&D Project, 2022.01-2023.12;
[11] Research and Demonstration of Near-Nature Restoration Technology and Key Technologies for Quality Improvement of Degraded Grassland along the Great Wall of Northern Shaanxi (SXLK2022-02-14), Shaanxi Province Forestry Science and technology Innovation Plan special project, 2022.10-2025.10;
[12] Coordination Mechanism of Nitrogen Conversion of Soil Aggregates and N2O Emissions by Functional Microorganisms in Restoration Grassland on the Loess Plateau (42007428), National Natural Science Foundation of China Youth Project, 2021.01-2023.12;
[13] Research on the current situation and protection countermeasures of grassland resources in Qinling area, Qinling Ecological Scientific Investigation project of Shaanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Youth League, 2021.05-2021.12;
[14] Study on the Restoration and Utilization Models of Degraded Grasslands in the Middle Reaches of the Yellow River (SXLK2020-0204), Shaanxi Provincial Forestry Science and Technology Innovation Project, 2020.05-2023.12;
[15] Microbial Mechanisms of Phosphorus Component Transformation in Soil Aggregates of Grasslands in Fragile Habitats in Response to Nitrogen and Phosphorus Addition (2020M683594), General Project of the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, 2020.01-2022.12.
Project participants:
[1] National forage industry technology system - Yulin comprehensive experimental station (CARS-34), Ministry of Agriculture Modern Agricultural Industry Technology System, 2021.01-2025.12;
[2] Soil-Vegetation synergistic restoration effects and mechanisms in fragile habitats of the Loess Hilly-Gully region (41571501), National Natural Science Foundation General Program, 2016.01-2019.12;
[3] Key limiting factors and their mechanisms affecting the growth and transformation of quercus acutissima seedlings in the Qinling mountains (32271861), National Natural Science Foundation General Program, 2023.01-2026.12;
[4] Research on the practice of improving the quality of grassland science talent training under national strategic demand (SGH23Y2241), Shaanxi Province “14th Five-Year” Education Science Planning 2023 Project, 2024.01-2024.12
Publications:
Refereed journal articles:
[1] Zhouchang Yu1, Wei Zhang1*, Jiahua Wu, Qianqian Yin, Zhiguo Xie, AHejiang Sailike, Hongjian Hao, Yujie Liang, Rong Fu, Runhao Shi, Yixian Ruan, Rong Wang, Peizhi Yang. Life-history strategies of rhizosphere microbes mediate community stability and nutrient acquisition trade-offs in extreme alpine ecosystems. Ecological Indicators, 2026, 183: 114688. (SCI, JCR Q1, CAS Division 1, TOP Journal)
[2] Rong Wang, Shicai Li, Yixian Ruan, Runhao Shi, Hongjian Hao, Yujie Liang, Ahejiang Sailike, Zhouchang Yu, Rong Fu, Ning Peng, Xinhui Han, Wei Zhang*, Peizhi Yang*. Residue carbon and C-degradation gene indicated the increase of soil organic carbon following vegetation restoration on the Loess Plateau, China. Journal of Environmental Management, 2025, 394: 127323. (SCI, JCR Q1, CAS Division 2, TOP Journal)
[3] Yujie Liang, Rong Fu, Ahejiang Sailike, Hongjian Hao, Zhouchang Yu, Rong Wang, Ning Peng, Shicai Li, Wei Zhang*, Yangyang Liu. Soil labile organic carbon and nitrate nitrogen are the main factors driving carbon-fixing pathways during vegetation restoration in the Loess Plateau, China. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 2025, 378: 109283. (SCI, JCR Q1, CAS Division 1, TOP Journal)
[4] Zhouchang Yu1, Wei Zhang1, Pian Duo, Ying Zhang, Xingfang Tian, Lin Sun, Yuzheng Gu Junhong Zhang, Jiaxing Song, Ahejiang Sailike, Yujie Liang, Rong Fu, Zhiguo Xie, Peizhi Yang*. Assembly processes of rare and abundant taxa are closely related to the bacterial and fungal functionality during desert vegetation reestablishment. Pedosphere, 2025, 35(3): 475-489. (SCI, JCR Q1, CAS Division 1, TOP Journal)
[5] Hongjian Hao, Yujie Liang, Duo Pian, Ying Zhang, Yaxian Chen, Hongtao Lai, Zhouchang Yu, Ahejiang Sailike, Rong Wang, Ling Cao, Xinhui Han, Wei Zhang*. Macroaggregate is crucial in soil carbon and nitrogen accumulation under different vegetation types in the Loess Plateau, China. Forest Ecology and Management, 2024, 569: 122161. (SCI, JCR Q1, CAS Division 1, TOP Journal)
[6] Ahejiang Sailike, Yujie Liang, Rong Fu, Hongjian Hao, Rong Wang, Ning Peng, Shicai Li, Zhouchang Yu, Fangxin Zheng, Wei Zhang*, Yangyang Liu*, Peizhi Yang, Zhixin Zhang. Impact of organic carbon composition on bacterial taxa assembly upon phosphorus addition in organic and mineral soil layers of a Robinia pseudoaccacia plantation. Pedosphere, 2024, 36(2): 554-567. (SCI, JCR Q1, CAS Division 1, TOP Journal)
[7] Zhouchang Yu, Wei Zhang*, Hongqiang He, Yanrong Li, Zhiguo Xie, AHejiang Sailike, Hongjian Hao, Xingfang Tian, Lin Sun, Yujie Liang, Rong Fu, Peizhi Yang*. The CAZyme family regulates the changes in soil organic carbon composition during vegetation restoration in the Mu Us desert. Geoderma, 2024, 452: 117109. (SCI, JCR Q1, CAS Division 1, TOP Journal)
[8] Hongjian Hao, Rong Wang, Shicai Li, Pian Duo, Ning Peng, Ahejiang Sailike, Zhouchang Yu, Jiayi Shi, Xingbo Wang, Zihan Wang, Wei Zhang*. Different contributions of microbial and plant residues to soil organic carbon accumulation during planted forest and abandoned farmland restoration, Loess Plateau, China. Plant and Soil, 2024, 507(1-2): 845-862. (SCI, JCR Q1, CAS Division 2, TOP Journal)
[9] Xingfang Tian, Ying Zhang, Yujie Liang, Rong Fu, Lin Sun, Zhouchang Yu, Jiayi Shi, Ahejiang Sailike, Hongjian Hao, Wei Zhang*. Differential response of soil bacteria and fungi to carbon and respiration components in abandoned grasslands on the Loess Plateau, China. Plant and Soil, 2024, 504(1-2): 347-365. (SCI, JCR Q1, CAS Division 2, TOP Journal)
[10] Xing Wang, Zhengchen Wang, Fang Chen, Zhenjiao Zhang, Jingbo Fang, Liheng Xing, Jia Zeng, Qi Zhang, Hanyu Liu, Weichao Liu, Chengjie Ren, Gaihe Yang, Zekun Zhong, Wei Zhang*, Xinhui Han*. Deterministic assembly of grassland soil microbial communities driven by climate warming amplifies soil carbon loss. Science of The Total Environment, 2024, 923: 171418. (SCI, JCR Q1, CAS Division 1, TOP Journal)
[11] Weichao Liu, Jingbo Fang, Yaoyue Liang, Xing Wang, Qi Zhang, Jinduo Wang, Mengfan He, Wenjie Wang, Jian Deng, Chengjie Ren, Wei Zhang*, Xinhui Han*. Acid rain reduced soil carbon emissions and increased the temperature sensitivity of soil respiration: A comprehensive meta-analysis. Science of The Total Environment, 2024, 923: 171370. (SCI, JCR Q1, CAS Division 1, TOP Journal)
[12] Qi Zhang, Hanyu Liu, Yueqi Liang, Yaoyue Liang, Yongtao Zhao, Zhengchen Wang, Yuze Li, Weichao Liu, Xing Wang, Gaihe Yang, Chengjie Ren, Wei Zhang*, Xinhui Han*. The multifunctionality of soil aggregates is related to the complexity of aggregate microbial community during afforestation. Catena, 2024, 236: 107737. (SCI, JCR Q1, CAS Division 1, TOP Journal)
[13] Zhouchang Yu1, Wei Zhang1, Yushu Liu, Ling Cao, Yongfei Bai, Xiaopin Xin, Yi Zhou, Zhiguo Xie, Tianming Hu, Peizhi Yang*. Dynamics of SOC density and driving factors during the restoration of artificial grassland and abandoned farmland in Mu Us Desert, China. Catena, 2023, 224: 106991. (SCI, JCR Q1, CAS Division 1, TOP Journal)
[14] Ling Cao, Miaoping Xu, Yushu Liu, Zhouchang Yu, Lin Sun, Xingfang Tian, Ying Zhang, Jiayi Shi, Xinhui Han, Peizhi Yang, Wei Zhang*. Response of soil nitrogen components and its vertical distribution to rainfall redistribution during Robinia pseudoacacia forest restoration on the Loess Plateau. Ecological Indicators. 2023, 155: 111036.(SCI, JCR Q1, CAS Division 1, TOP Journal)
[15] Zhouchang Yu, Wei Zhang*, Liyun Zhang, Shihai Ma, Lin Sun, Yushu Liu, Ying Zhang, Sailike AHejiang, Jiayi Shi, Ling Cao, Ronglei Zhou, Zhiguo Xie, Ziyan Li, Peizhi Yang*. Efficient vegetation restoration in Mu Us desert reduces microbial diversity due to the transformation of nutrient requirements. Ecological Indicators, 2023, 154: 110758. (SCI, JCR Q1, CAS Division 1, TOP Journal)
[16] Yangyang Liu, Ziqi Lin, Zijun Wang, Xu Chen, Peidong Han, Bo Wang, Zhenqian Wang, Zhongming Wen, Haijing Shi, Zhixin Zhang, Wei Zhang*. Discriminating the impacts of vegetation greening and climate change on the changes in evapotranspiration and transpiration fraction over the Yellow River Basin. Science of The Total Environment, 2023, 904: 166926. (SCI, JCR Q1, CAS Division 1, TOP Journal)
[17] Lin Sun, Zhouchang Yu, Xingfang Tian, Ying Zhang, Jiayi Shi, Rong Fu, Yujie Liang Wei Zhang*. Leguminosae plants play a key role in affecting soil physical-chemical and biological properties during grassland succession after farmland abandonment in the Loess Plateau, China. Journal of Arid Land, 2023, 15: 1107–1128. (SCI, JCR Q3, CAS Division 3, TOP Journal)
[18] Miaoping Xu, Hanyu Liu, Qi Zhang, Zhenjiao Zhang, Chengjie Ren, Yongzhong Feng, Gaihe Yang, Xinhui Han*, Wei Zhang*. Effect of forest thinning on soil organic carbon stocks from the perspective of carbon-degrading enzymes. Catena, 2022, 218: 106560. (SCI, JCR Q1, CAS Division 1, TOP Journal)
[19] Miaoping Xu, Wenjie Li, Jiayi Wang, Yufan Zhu, Yongzhong Feng, Gaihe Yang, Wei Zhang*, Xinhui Han*. Soil ecoenzymatic stoichiometry reveals microbial phosphorus limitation after vegetation restoration on the Loess Plateau, China. Science of The Total Environment, 2022, 815: 152918. (SCI, JCR Q1, CAS Division 1, TOP Journal)
[20] Miaoping Xu, Yufan Zhu, Shuohong Zhang, Yongzhong Feng, Wei Zhang*, Xinhui Han*. Global scaling the leaf nitrogen and phosphorus resorption of woody species: Revisiting some commonly held views. Science of The Total Environment, 2021, 788: 147807. (SCI, JCR Q1, CAS Division 1, TOP Journal)
[21] Wei Zhang, Yadong Xu, Dexin Gao, Xing Wang, Weichao Liu, Jian Deng, Xinhui Han, Gaihe Yang, Yongzhong Feng, Guangxin Ren. Ecoenzymatic stoichiometry and nutrient dynamics along a revegetation chronosequence in the soils of abandoned land and Robinia pseudoacacia plantation on the Loess Plateau, China. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 2019, 134: 1-14. (SCI, JCR Q1, CAS Division 1, TOP Journal)
[22] Wei Zhang, Weichao Liu, Miaoping Xu, Jian Deng, Xinhui Han, Gaihe Yang, Yongzhong Feng, Guangxin Ren. Response of forest growth to C:N:P stoichiometry in plants and soils during Robinia pseudoacacia afforestation on the Loess Plateau, China. Geoderma, 2019, 337: 280-289. (SCI, ESI Top 1% Highly Cited Paper, JCR Q1, CAS Division 1, TOP Journal)
[23] Wei Zhang, Dexin Gao, Zhengxing Chen, Hui Li, Jian Deng, Wenjing Qiao, Xinhui Han, Gaihe Yang, Yongzhong Feng, Juying Huang. Substrate quality and soil environmental conditions predict litter decomposition and drive soil nutrient dynamics following afforestation on the Loess Plateau of China. Geoderma, 2018, 325:152-161. (SCI, JCR Q1, CAS Division 1, TOP Journal)
[24] Wei Zhang, Wenjing Qiao, Dexin Gao, Yinyue Dai, Jian Deng, Gaihe Yang, Xinhui Han, Guangxin Ren. Relationship between soil nutrient properties and biological activities along a restoration chronosequence of Pinus tabulaeformis plantation forests in the Ziwuling Mountains, China. Catena, 2018, 161: 85-95. (SCI, ESI Top 1% Highly Cited Paper, JCR Q1, CAS Division 1, TOP Journal)
[25] Wei Zhang, Chengjie Ren, Jian Deng, Fazhu Zhao, Gaihe Yang, Xinhui Han, Xiaogang Tong, Yongzhong Feng. Plant functional composition and species diversity affect soil C, N, and P during secondary succession of abandoned farmland on the Loess Plateau. Ecological Engineering, 2018, 122: 91-99. (SCI, JCR Q2, CAS Division 3, TOP Journal)
[26] Chengjie Ren, Wei, Zhang, Zekun Zhong, Xinhui Han, Gaihe Yang, Yongzhong Feng, Guangxin Ren. Differential responses of soil microbial biomass, diversity, and compositions to altitudinal gradients depend on plant and soil characteristics. Science of The Total Environment, 2018, 610–611: 750-758. (SCI, JCR Q1, CAS Division 1, TOP Journal)
[27] Yadong Xu, Zekun Zhong, Wei Zhang, Xinhui Han, Gaihe Yanga, Chengjie Ren, Yongzhong Feng, Guangxin Ren, Xiaojiao Wang. Responses of soil nosZ-type denitrifying microbial communities to the various land-use types of the Loess Plateau, China. Soil and Tillage Research, 2019, 195: 104378. (SCI, JCR Q1, CAS Division 1, TOP Journal)
[28] Jian Deng, Wenhui Hao, Wei Zhang, Xinhui Han, Kaiyuan Li, Yongzhong Feng, Gaihe Yang. Exploring farmers’ pro-ecological intentions after ecological rehabilitation in a fragile environment area: a structural equation modeling approach. Sustainability, 2018, 10(1), 29. (SSCI, JCR Q2, CAS Division 3, TOP Journal)
[29] Jian Deng, Sha Wang, Chengjie Ren, Wei Zhang, Fazhu Zhao, Xianfang Li, Dan Zhang, Xinhui Han, Gaihe Yang. Nitrogen and Phosphorus Resorption in Relation to Nutrition Limitation along the Chronosequence of Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) Plantation. Forests, 2019, 10(3), 261. (SCI, JCR Q2, CAS Division 2, TOP Journal)
[30] Liu H W, Hao H J, Zheng F X, Sailike A J, Yu Z C, Wang R, Wei Zhang*. The impact of different vegetation types in the Mu Us Sandy Land on soil microbial communities and ecosystem multifunctionality. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2026, 46(6): 3045-3061.
[31] Zheng F X, Cai J X, Hao H J, Sailike Ahijang, Wang R, Liu H W, Shi J Y ,Wei Zhang*. Study on the relationship between organic carton composition of soil aggregates and microbial communities in the Loess Plateau grassland area after returning farmland to grassland. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2025, 45(22):11229-11244.
[32] Fu Rong, Liang Yujie, Xie Zhiguo, Peidong Han, Rong Wang, Zhongming Wei, Wei Zhang*, Yangyang Liu. Spatial and Temporal Changes in the Ecological Security of the Hanjiang River Basin and Its lnfluencing Factors[J]. Research of Soil and Water Conservation,2024,31(6):139-148,160.
[33] Sailike Ahejiang, Sun L, Wang R, Yu Z C, Liu Y S, Hao H J, Tian X F, Zhou R L, Wei Zhang*. Restoration of grassland soil aggregate composition and total nitrogen distribution characteristics in Loess Hilly Area. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2023,43(24): 10065-10080.
[34] Jiayi Shi, Ling Cao, Zhouchang Yu, Xiaoming Bai, Wei Zhang* Comprehensive Evaluation of Salt Tolerance in the Germination Period of Wild Zizania Seeds from Different Regions. Northwest Agriculture Journal, 2022, 31(09):1142-1153
[35] Wenjing Qiao, Yinyue Dai, Wei Zhang, Shuyue Fu, Gaihe Yang, Xinhui Han, Zhengxing Chen, Dexin Gao, Yongzhong Feng. Relationship Between the Vegetation Community and Soil Nutrient and Enzyme Activity During the Restoration of Abandoned Land in the Loess Hilly Region. Environmental Science, 2018, 39(12):5687-5698. (EI)
[36] Zhengxing Chen, Dexin Gao, Wei Zhang, Xinhui Han, Zekun Zhong, Wenjing Qiao, Yinyue Dai, Gaihe Yang. Population spatial patterns of grassland plant communities in different slope aspects in the loess hilly area, China. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2018, 29(06):1846-1856.
[37] Wei Zhang, Junhao He, Wenfang Hao. Niche characteristics of dominant plant populations in grassland of loess hilly region of China with different man-agement styles. Pratacultural Science, 2016, 33(7): 1391-1402．
Book chapters:
[1] Xinhui Han (Editor in Chief) et al., Wei Zhang (co-edit), Evaluation and Ecological Effects of Returning Farmland to Forest in Loess Hilly and Gully Region, Science Press, 413,000 words, June 2018 .
Patent:
[1] Wei Zhang, Fangxin Zheng, Zhixin Zhang, Yangyang Liu, Hongjian Hao, Peizhi Yang. A method and system for reseeding to manage the Mu Us Sandy Land. Patent No.: ZL 2024 1 0343533.3
[2] Wei Zhang, Fangxin Zheng, Rong Wang, Peizhi Yang, Zhixin Zhang, Yangyang Liu. A salt-alkali tolerant microbial agent and its preparation method and application. Patent No.: ZL 2024 1 0730569.7
[3] Wei Zhang. Method for improving the soil fertility and yield of medium and low yield fields. Patent No.: LU601700
[4] Zhixin Zhang, Wenqing Chen, Tao Qin, Miaochun Fan, Wei Zhang, Yangyang Liu. A soil conservation and environmentally friendly soil conditioner and its application. Patent No.: ZL 2023 1 1216602.6
Local standard：
[1] Technical Regulation for Erosion Prevention in Returning Corn Stalks to the Field with Horqin Sandy Land Mulching (Standard No.: DB15/T 4229—2025). Local Standard of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Inner Mongolia Market Supervision Administration, 2025, Ranking: 5/27
[2] Technical Specification for Ecological Restoration of Salinized Grasslands (Standard No.: DB 61/T 2081—2025). Local Standard of Shaanxi Province, Shaanxi Provincial Market Supervision Administration, 2025, Ranking: 6/24
Reward：
[1] Research on the current status and conservation strategies of grassland resources in the Qinling area, Science and Technology Award of the Communist Youth League of Shaanxi Province, General Award, 2021, Rank 1
[2] Research on key technologies for improving the supply capacity of high-quality forage, Liangxi Forestry Science and Technology Progress Award of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Second Class, 2024, Rank 7
[3] Research and demonstration of key technologies for high-yield cultivation and efficient utilization of high-quality forage, Shaanxi Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award, Second Class, 2025, Rank 7
Contact Information：
Mailing Address: College of Grassland Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi
Postal Code: 712100
Email: zwgwyd@163.com
