The response of terrestrial ecosystems to atmospheric nitrogen deposition is determined by nitrogen retention in ecosystems. Understanding the role of ecosystem nitrogen retention is essential for predicting ecosystem nitrogen cycling in context of global change. However, the drivers of nitrogen retention in plants, soils and ecosystems remain unclear. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of 305 observations from 58 field sites ultilized ¹⁵N isotope tracing studies. The results showed that the percent of ¹⁵N recovery (¹⁵N_rec) of the ecosystems was (56.3±1.39)%, and the ¹⁵N_rec for soils (40.1±1.17)% was significantly higher than that for plants (16.2±0.89)% (P < 0.001). Increased in the mean annual temperature, mean annual precipitation, soil organic carbon (C) content, total nitrogen (N) content, and C ∶ N ratio significantly increased plants, soils, and ecosystems ¹⁵N_rec, while increased in soil pH, N application rate, and N application duration time significantly decreased plants and ecosystems ¹⁵N_rec (P < 0.05). The above factors explained 65.0%, 61.0%, and 64.0% of the ecosystems, plants, and soils ¹⁵N_rec. Mean annual precipitation was a pivotal factor affecting ecosystems, plants and soils ¹⁵N_rec (P < 0.001). The climatic factors composed by mean annual precipitation and mean annual temperature significantly influenced ecosystems, plants and soils ¹⁵N_rec. The results of the study can be essential for elucidating the nitrogen cycling in terrestrial ecosystems as well as maintaining the stability of ecosystems.