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Adaptive Physiology of Forest Plants: Mechanisms, Strategies, and Responses to Environmental Challenges

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A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Ecophysiology and Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 April 2026 | Viewed by 5757

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Lazar Kesić

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Guest Editor

Institute of Lowland Forestry and Environment, University of Novi Sad, Antona Čehova 13d, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Interests: plant physiology; plant anatomy; urban forestry; population genetics; tree breeding

Prof. Dr. Janusz Zwiazek

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Guest Editor

Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, 442 Earth Sciences Bldg., Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3, Canada
Interests: tree physiology; mycorrhizal ecology; ecological restoration
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Forest ecosystems are dynamic environments where plants constantly face a multitude of abiotic and biotic stressors, including drought, extreme temperatures, nutrient limitations, pests, and diseases. These challenges are further exacerbated by the increasing impacts of climate change, leading to shifts in forest composition and function. To survive and thrive under such conditions, forest plants exhibit a remarkable range in adaptive physiological mechanisms and strategies.

This Special Issue, titled "Adaptive Physiology of Forest Plants: Mechanisms, Strategies, and Responses to Environmental Challenges", aims to explore the diverse physiological and molecular pathways that enable plants to cope with environmental constraints. By addressing key questions on stress tolerance, resource acquisition, and ecosystem resilience, this Special Issue seeks to contribute to our understanding of plant adaptation and its implications for forest conservation and management in the face of global change.

Dr. Lazar Kesić
Prof. Dr. Janusz Zwiazek
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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.

Keywords

plant adaptation
environmental stress
forest ecosystems
physiological responses
abiotic stress
biotic interactions
climate change impact
stress tolerance mechanisms
ecosystem resilience
biodiversity and adaptation

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 4385 KB

Open AccessArticle

Transcriptomic Analysis of Anthocyanin Degradation in Salix alba Bark: Insights into Seasonal Adaptation and Forestry Applications

by Hong-Yong Wang, Xing-Ju Liu, Meng-Zhen Yin, Sheng-Jia Cui, Hai-Yong Liang and Zhen-Hua Xu

Forests 2025, 16(10), 1598; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16101598 - 17 Oct 2025

Viewed by 146

Abstract

Anthocyanins, key flavonoid-derived secondary metabolites, not only confer diverse pigmentation but also function in photoprotection, antioxidative defense, and cold acclimation. In woody species, bark anthocyanin turnover is tightly linked to environmental adaptation, stress resilience, and ornamental traits, yet its molecular regulation remains largely unresolved. Here, we investigated Salix alba L. bark by integrating anthocyanin quantification, transcriptome profiling, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to dissect the temporal dynamics and regulatory architecture of anthocyanin degradation. Anthocyanin content peaked at D2 (late December 2024), declined through D3 (mid-January 2025) and D4 (mid-February 2025), and partially rebounded at D5 (early March 2025), coinciding with peak expression of structural genes LAC1/2, POD1/2, and BGLU10. These enzymes co-expressed with multiple transcription factors, including MYB, bHLH, and WRKY families, forming putative core modules. Functional enrichment indicated that differentially expressed genes were enriched in redox processes, glycoside hydrolysis, flavonoid metabolism, and hormone signaling, suggesting a degradation mechanism mediated by reactive oxygen species, glycosidic cleavage, and hormone–transcription factor interplay. This study provides the first comprehensive framework of bark anthocyanin degradation in white willow, advancing the understanding of pigment dynamics, gene–environment crosstalk, and breeding strategies for ornamental woody plants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Physiology of Forest Plants: Mechanisms, Strategies, and Responses to Environmental Challenges)

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23 pages, 3638 KB

Open AccessArticle

Hydro-Functional Strategies of Sixteen Tree Species in a Mexican Karstic Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest

by Jorge Palomo-Kumul, Mirna Valdez-Hernández, Gerald A. Islebe, Edith Osorio-de-la-Rosa, Gabriela Cruz-Piñon, Francisco López-Huerta and Raúl Juárez-Aguirre

Forests 2025, 16(10), 1535; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16101535 - 1 Oct 2025

Viewed by 252

Abstract

Seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTFs) are shaped by strong climatic and edaphic constraints, including pronounced rainfall seasonality, extended dry periods, and shallow karst soils with limited water retention. Understanding how tree species respond to these pressures is crucial for predicting ecosystem resilience under climate change. In the Yucatán Peninsula, we characterized sixteen tree species along a spatial and seasonal precipitation gradient, quantifying wood density, predawn and midday water potential, saturated and relative water content, and specific leaf area. Across sites, diameter classes, and seasons, we measured ≈4 individuals per species (n = 319), ensuring replication despite natural heterogeneity. Using a principal component analysis (PCA) based on individual-level data collected during the dry season, we identified five functional groups spanning a continuum from conservative hard-wood species, with high hydraulic safety and access to deep water sources, to acquisitive light-wood species that rely on stem water storage and drought avoidance. Intermediate-density species diverged into subgroups that employed contrasting strategies such as anisohydric tolerance, high leaf area efficiency, or strict stomatal regulation to maintain performance during the dry season. Functional traits were strongly associated with precipitation regimes, with wood density emerging as a key predictor of water storage capacity and specific leaf area responding plastically to spatial and seasonal variability. These findings refine functional group classifications in heterogeneous karst landscapes and highlight the value of trait-based approaches for predicting drought resilience and informing restoration strategies under climate change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Physiology of Forest Plants: Mechanisms, Strategies, and Responses to Environmental Challenges)

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14 pages, 1594 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Lead on the Physiological Parameters and Elemental Composition of Pinus sylvestris L. and Picea abies (L.) H. Karst Seedlings

by Andrea Pogányová, Djordje P. Božović, Martin Bačkor, Michal Goga, Marián Tomka and Marko S. Sabovljević

Forests 2025, 16(6), 990; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16060990 - 11 Jun 2025

Viewed by 460

Abstract

Lead (Pb) pollution poses a long-term threat to forest ecosystems, particularly in mountainous areas affected by atmospheric deposition. This study examined the physiological and biochemical responses of juvenile Pinus sylvestris L. and Picea abies (L.) H. Karst seedlings to low concentrations of lead nitrate during early development. Treatments simulated environmentally relevant Pb exposure and focused on pigment composition, oxidative stress markers, soluble protein and proline levels, and elemental content. Both species exhibited hormetic stimulation of photosynthetic pigments at lower Pb concentrations. In P. sylvestris, this effect declined at the highest dose, whereas P. abies maintained pigment levels, suggesting stronger regulatory control. Pb exposure reduced soluble proteins and induced species-specific alterations in MDA and proline levels. Correlation analysis revealed a well-integrated stress response in P. abies, while P. sylvestris showed a more fragmented pattern. Elemental analysis confirmed Pb accumulation primarily in roots, with higher levels in P. sylvestris. Both species experienced reduced root Mg, K, and Mn, indicating ionic imbalance due to Pb²⁺ interference. Zn content increased in P. sylvestris but decreased in P. abies, possibly reflecting differences in uptake regulation. These species-specific responses support the hypothesis that P. abies activates more effective defense mechanisms against Pb toxicity, while P. sylvestris exhibits a stronger physiological stress response. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Physiology of Forest Plants: Mechanisms, Strategies, and Responses to Environmental Challenges)

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22 pages, 4319 KB

Open AccessArticle

Functional Traits Associated with Drought Tolerance Exhibit Low Variability in 21 Provenances of a Montane Tree Species—Eucalyptus delegatensis

by Anita Gurung, Benjamin Wagner, Elizabeth C. Pryde, Craig R. Nitschke and Stefan K. Arndt

Forests 2025, 16(6), 898; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16060898 - 27 May 2025

Viewed by 1932

Abstract

Elevated temperatures and extended drought periods are driving significant changes in the structure and function of forest ecosystems. High-elevation alpine ash forests (Eucalyptus delegatensis R.T. Baker) in Australia are an example of forests that are already impacted by climate change. These obligate seeder forests can shift to non-forest ecosystems following extreme drought and altered fire regimes, raising concern about their adaptation to a rapidly changing environment and long-term forest persistence. Plant functional traits play a major role in determining adaptive mechanisms to environmental conditions. While alpine ash forests are vulnerable to climate change, it is unclear if different provenances have adapted to the climatic conditions in which they grow. We therefore studied the variation in expression of functional traits related to drought tolerance in 21 provenances of alpine ash distributed across an environmental gradient. We investigated if functional traits varied between the provenances and were related to climate of origin in order to identify provenances that may be better adapted to drought. We measured the following traits in a common garden experiment under well-watered conditions: stomatal density, specific leaf area, minimum stomatal conductance and osmotic potential at full turgor. There was very little variation in trait expression between the 21 provenances for all functional traits related to drought tolerance. All provenances had medium-range stomatal density (170–300 stomata mm²) and specific leaf area (SLA, 50–70 cm² g⁻¹), a very low minimum stomatal conductance (2–4 mmol m² s⁻¹) and a high osmotic potential at full turgor (−0.6–0.7 MPa). There was no statistically significant correlation of trait expression with the climate of origin. Thus, there is very little evidence for genetically controlled differences in trait expression of drought tolerance traits in this species. It is likely that the high elevation and high rainfall environment of the species’ ecological niche has not been subjected to frequent and extensive drought periods that would elicit an evolutionary pressure selecting for drought-tolerant traits. We could not identify provenances that would have different drought-tolerant functional trait responses than others, potentially conferring an adaptive advantage under climate change. This has implications for using climate-adjusted provenancing to improve resilience in alpine ash forests predicted to experience more frequent and severe droughts in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Physiology of Forest Plants: Mechanisms, Strategies, and Responses to Environmental Challenges)

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15 pages, 5288 KB

Open AccessArticle

Seasonal Variations in the Relationship Between Canopy Solar-Induced Chlorophyll Fluorescence and Gross Primary Production in a Temperate Evergreen Needleleaf Forest

by Kaijie Yang, Yifei Cai, Xiaoya Li, Weiwei Cong, Yiming Feng and Feng Wang

Forests 2025, 16(6), 893; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16060893 - 26 May 2025

Viewed by 521

Abstract

The temperate evergreen needleleaf forest (ENF), primarily composed of Mongolian Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica), plays a pivotal role in the “The Great Green Wall” Shelterbelt Project in northern China as a major species for windbreak and sand fixation. Solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) has emerged as a revolutionary remote sensing signal for quantifying photosynthetic activity and gross primary production (GPP) at the ecosystem scale. Meanwhile, eddy covariance (EC) technology has been widely employed to obtain in situ GPP estimates. Although a linear relationship between SIF and GPP has been reported in various ecosystems, it is mainly derived from satellite SIF products and flux-tower GPP observations, which are often difficult to align due to mismatches in spatial and temporal resolution. In this study, we analyzed synchronous high-frequency SIF and EC-derived GPP measurements from a Mongolian Scots pine plantation during the seasonal transition (August–December). The results revealed the following. (1) The ENF acted as a net carbon sink during the observation period, with a total carbon uptake of 100.875 gC·m⁻². The diurnal dynamics of net ecosystem exchange (NEE) exhibited a “U”-shaped pattern, with peak carbon uptake occurring around midday. As the growing season progressed toward dormancy, the timing of CO₂ uptake and release gradually shifted. (2) Both GPP and SIF peaked in September and declined thereafter. A strong linear relationship between SIF and GPP (R² = 0.678) was observed, consistent across both diurnal and sub-daily scales. SIF demonstrated higher sensitivity to light and environmental changes, particularly during the autumn–winter transition. Cloudy and rainy conditions significantly affect the relationship between SIF and GPP. These findings highlight the potential of canopy SIF observations to capture seasonal photosynthesis dynamics accurately and provide a methodological foundation for regional GPP estimation using remote sensing. This work also contributes scientific insights toward achieving China’s carbon neutrality goals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Physiology of Forest Plants: Mechanisms, Strategies, and Responses to Environmental Challenges)

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17 pages, 4170 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Inoculation with Rhizosphere Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria on the Growth and Physiology of Reaumuria soongorica Seedlings Under NaCl Stress

by Xueying Wang, Peifang Chong, Xinguang Bao and Feng Zhang

Forests 2025, 16(4), 591; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16040591 - 28 Mar 2025

Viewed by 530

Abstract

Soil salinization significantly exacerbates the deficiency in plant-available phosphorus in the soil, thereby adversely affecting plant growth and development. Through various processes, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria in the rhizosphere significantly increase soil-soluble phosphorus content, boosting plant development and stress resistance. This study focused on annual R. soongorica seedlings to examine how rhizosphere phosphate-solubilizing bacteria enhance growth under NaCl-induced stress conditions. This study isolated and characterized rhizosphere phosphate-solubilizing bacteria, evaluating their phosphate solubilization capacity and effects on R. soongorica seedling growth and physiology under NaCl stress through pot experiments, with potential applications in saline soil improvement and desert ecosystem restoration. This study used four treatment groups (control group, NaCl treatment group, bacterial inoculation treatment group, and bacterial and NaCl mixed-treatment group) with twelve treatments and four replicates per treatment. The experimental results demonstrated that five phosphate-solubilizing bacterial strains exhibited a significant phosphate solubilization capacity, accompanied by a notable reduction in pH within the inorganic phosphorus medium. Compared to the NaCl treatment, the net growth of the plant height of R. soongorica seedlings inoculated with strains J23, J24, and M1 under NaCl stress increased significantly (p < 0.05), and all of them more than doubled, and the net growth of the stem diameter of R. soongorica seedlings inoculated with strain J24 increased significantly by 144.17%. The physiological characteristics of R. soongorica seedlings demonstrated significant alterations following inoculation with the five phosphate-solubilizing bacterial strains. The inoculation of R. soongorica seedlings with the five phosphate-solubilizing bacterial resulted in a statistically significant increase in both foliar total phosphorus content and available phosphorus levels within the rhizosphere soil (p < 0.05). Additionally, under NaCl stress conditions, R. soongorica seedlings inoculated with the five phosphate-solubilizing bacterial strains exhibited varying degrees of salt tolerance, with the following descending order of effectiveness: J24 > P2 > J23 > P3 > M1. In conclusion, the rhizosphere phosphate-solubilizing bacteria J24 represents a potentially valuable microbial resource for saline soil amelioration, demonstrating the most pronounced enhancement in both the growth parameters and salt tolerance of R. soongorica seedlings under 300 mmol·L⁻¹ NaCl stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Physiology of Forest Plants: Mechanisms, Strategies, and Responses to Environmental Challenges)

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19 pages, 4421 KB

Open AccessArticle

Variations in Leaf Photosynthesis and Its Limitations at Different Canopy Positions in Mature Camphor Trees

by Hanbing Leng, Lingyan Zhou and Wei Yan

Forests 2025, 16(4), 581; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16040581 - 27 Mar 2025

Viewed by 576

Abstract

Urban forests play important roles in carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation. However, their adaptive mechanisms and limitations on photosynthesis throughout the canopy are poorly understood. This study takes the most widely distributed 50-year-old camphor plantations (Cinnamomum camphora) in Shanghai as the research objects. We investigated the variations in leaf morphology and photosynthetic physiology and biochemistry at six different canopy positions during a summer and an autumn period. We discovered that on account of leaf nitrogen loss and water deficit, light-saturated photosynthesis (A_max) declined in upper sunlit leaves despite being exposed to high sunlight in the same fashion as stomatal and mesophyll conductance (g_sw, g_m), photochemical quenching coefficient and actual photochemical efficiency of PSII (Φ_PSII, q_P), and maximum rate of electron transport and carboxylation (J_max, V_cmax) during the growing season. Although seasonal change had little effect on A_max, the relative importance of limitations varied temporally. Mesophyll and biochemical limitation were the major contributors to the decline in the A_max in upper sunlit leaves between summer and autumn, respectively. Our study highlights the constraints of carbon fixation capacity in dense stands of mature camphor trees and offers technical support for the accurate prediction of canopy photosynthesis and the enhancement of carbon sequestration management in urban forests. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Physiology of Forest Plants: Mechanisms, Strategies, and Responses to Environmental Challenges)

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23 pages, 14226 KB

Open AccessArticle

Mycorrhization of Quercus dentata Seedlings with Laccaria bicolor Enhances Salt Tolerance of Plants Only Under Relatively Moderate Soil Salinity Level

by Wenlong Sun, Luyu Qi, Haonan Chen, Yixin Song, Jiaqi Jiang, Puyi Zhang, Bojian Wang, Qiang Wang, Gaode Meng, Tianyu Ji, Xinke Sun, Weihua Guo, Ning Du and Janusz J. Zwiazek

Forests 2025, 16(3), 413; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16030413 - 25 Feb 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 708

Abstract

Soil salinization is a growing global concern in many ecosystems. Although ectomycorrhizal fungi have been shown to alleviate the effects of salinity in some tree species, uncertainties persist concerning their effectiveness when plants are exposed to different salinity levels that are commonly present in salt-affected soils. Quercus dentata seedlings either non-inoculated (mycorrhizal control) or inoculated with the ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria bicolor were then treated with three NaCl concentrations (0, 0.4%, and 0.8%). The physiological, stoichiometric, and growth characteristics of the plants were examined. NaCl significantly affected seedling growth and physiology. However, the impact of L. bicolor on Q. dentata seedlings could shift in response to varying salt concentrations. Under moderate salinity, inoculation of L. bicolor increased root biomass by 4.55% and leaf chlorophyll concentrations by 46.8%, and decreased leaf Na⁺ concentrations and the Na⁺/K⁺ ratios. Under high salinity, L. bicolor decreased leaf water content and fluorescence parameters, and increased leaf Na⁺ concentrations. The effect of ectomycorrhizal fungus L. bicolor on Q. dentata seedlings was dependent on NaCl concentration, and our results indicate that the use of L. bicolor in afforestation efforts with Q. dentata would only be effective under relatively low soil salinity levels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Physiology of Forest Plants: Mechanisms, Strategies, and Responses to Environmental Challenges)

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