Abstract
rhizosphere microbiomes and leaf litter decomposition regulates nutrient cycling and microbial biomass. Beyond integration, the review identifies critical gaps, notably the lack of long-term field validation of soil-microbiome-metabolite linkages and the need for directed breeding of poplar varieties with specific metabolite traits. By outlining how selective breeding, metabolomics, and chemical modification of plant-derived compounds can be harnessed for bio-based materials and pharmaceuticals, and by providing region-specific case studies in urban greening, phytoremediation, bioenergy, and agroforestry, this synthesis establishes a framework for translating biochemical insights into applied strategies for ecosystem restoration and sustainable land use.