Genetic Diversity, Adaptive Evolution, and Conservation Genomics of Forest Trees

Dear Colleagues,

Forest trees are epitomes of ecological significance and evolutionary resilience. Their unusual genetic complexity, arising from their immense genome sizes, long lifespans, ancient evolutionary history, and distinct life histories, presents unique opportunities and challenges for research. As sessile organisms, trees exemplify resilience in the face of environmental change, yet remain vulnerable to mounting global threats. This Special Issue highlights this dynamic tension by presenting cutting-edge studies spanning molecular mechanisms to applied conservation strategies.

The rapid development of genomic technologies, machine learning, and advanced biostatistical approaches has transformed forest tree research and enabled more informed management decisions. In an era of accelerated climatic change and anthropogenic pressures, leveraging genomic information has become essential to safeguard forests and their genetic resources.

We welcome contributions that advance understanding of forest tree biology through genomic perspectives, while also equipping practitioners and policymakers with actionable knowledge for conservation. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Population and Landscape Genomics: Revealing spatial genetic patterns across environmental gradients to disentangle neutral and adaptive processes;
• Adaptive Traits and Genotype–Phenotype Mapping: Using QTL mapping, GWAS, and functional assays to uncover traits linked to drought tolerance, phenology, and disease resistance;
• Epigenetic Regulation and Plasticity: Examining how trees employ epigenetic mechanisms to buffer, modulate, or accelerate responses to stressors;
• Conservation Genomics in Practice: Translating genetic insights into policy and management, from setting priorities to designing targeted restoration strategies;
• Methodological Innovations: Developing novel genomic and biostatistical tools to address increasingly complex datasets;
• Synthesis and Reviews: Integrating theories, case studies, and frameworks to assess progress, identify gaps, and highlight future directions.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all contributing authors and reviewers, whose rigorous scholarship drives forward the science and practice of forest genetics and conservation.

Dr. Tin Hang Hung
Prof. Dr. Konstantin V. Krutovsky
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.