Distribution of Tree Species in a Changing Environment

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 September 2025 | Viewed by 1661

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Dendrology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Kornik, Poland
Interests: biogeography; population henetics; R; botany; conservation genetics; phylogeography and phylogenetic; climate change

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Institute of Dendrology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Kornik, Poland
Interests: forest ecology; climate change; landscape ecology; SDM; MAXENT; biogeography; forest conservation; genetic diversity

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The distribution of tree species is undergoing significant changes due to the evolving environmental conditions brought about by climate change, habitat fragmentation, and human activities. This Special Issue, “Distribution of Tree Species in a Changing Environment”, aims to explore the multifaceted impacts of these changes on tree species across various ecosystems. We seek to cover a broad range of topics including the shifts in species ranges, alterations in forest composition, and the implications for biodiversity and ecosystem services. Key areas of interest include climate resilience, adaptive strategies of tree species, and the role of genetic diversity in species survival. We invite submissions that provide novel insights into the mechanisms driving these distributional changes, as well as case studies and modeling approaches that predict future trends. Contributions may include research articles, reviews, and perspectives that address the interplay between environmental stressors and tree species, innovative conservation strategies, and policy implications. Through this Special Issue, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of how tree species distribution is being reshaped in the face of a changing environment and to highlight potential solutions for preserving forest ecosystems globally.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

  • Shifts in Species Ranges;
  • Forest Composition Changes;
  • Climate Resilience;
  • Genetic Diversity;
  • Habitat Fragmentation;
  • Biodiversity Impacts;
  • Conservation Strategies;
  • Modeling and Prediction;
  • Human Activities;
  • Policy Implications.

Dr. Łukasz Walas
Guest Editor

Dr. Shirin Alipour
Guest Editor Assistant

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

  • modelling
  • climate change
  • conservation
  • distribution
  • fragmentation
  • landscape ecology

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

17 pages, 2587 KiB  
Article
Silver Lime (Tilia tomentosa Moench) in Forest Vegetation at the Western Edge of the Natural Distribution
by Irena Šapić, Joso Vukelić, Antun Alegro, Stjepan Mikac, Damir Ugarković, Igor Poljak and Dario Baričević
Forests 2025, 16(3), 438; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16030438 - 28 Feb 2025
Viewed by 439
Abstract
Silver lime is a thermophilic, calciphile species that thrives in xero-mesophilic forest communities. The westernmost edge of its natural distribution is Zrinska Gora Mountain in central Croatia, where it is found in almost all types of forest vegetation, albeit with varying frequencies. Its [...] Read more.
Silver lime is a thermophilic, calciphile species that thrives in xero-mesophilic forest communities. The westernmost edge of its natural distribution is Zrinska Gora Mountain in central Croatia, where it is found in almost all types of forest vegetation, albeit with varying frequencies. Its ecological optimum is in specific ravines and grooves, where it forms the mesophilic, relict broad-leaved ravine forest community Polysticho setiferi-Tilietum tomentosae. This research was conducted on two levels. Firstly, the communities of Zrinska Gora were analyzed as the westernmost edge of the natural distribution. Secondly, the ecology of the Tilia tomentosa communities in the western part of its distribution (Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, and Serbia) was observed. Analysis of Ellenberg-type indicator values for 74 communities from the western Balkans revealed a slight trend of decreasing thermophilicity and increasing acidophilicity toward the western edge of the distribution area. Silver lime peripheral populations on Zrinska Gora develop under unique ecological conditions. The soil reaction of all communities falls below the lower limit of the optimal range for its development, and the relict association experiences lower temperature values compared to the other communities. All in all, the results of this study provide insights into the adaptability of silver lime to climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Distribution of Tree Species in a Changing Environment)
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 3364 KiB  
Article
Seedling Recruitment at the Upper Limit of Tree Growth in the Alborz Mountains, Northern Iran: Safe Site Characteristics and Edaphic Conditions
by Halime Moradi, Niels Schwab and Udo Schickhoff
Forests 2024, 15(11), 1952; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15111952 - 7 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 871
Abstract
Climate warming may enhance the upslope migration of tree species at high elevations. In this context, few studies have analyzed the requirements of tree seedlings with respect to safe sites and soil conditions, particularly in the Alborz Mountains (Iran). We collected regeneration and [...] Read more.
Climate warming may enhance the upslope migration of tree species at high elevations. In this context, few studies have analyzed the requirements of tree seedlings with respect to safe sites and soil conditions, particularly in the Alborz Mountains (Iran). We collected regeneration and environmental data focusing on small seedlings and young saplings at the upper limit of tree growth in the Alborz Mountains. For each life stage, we assessed the association of seedlings with safe site conditions (rocks, stones, deadwood, and canopy shade), microhabitat substrates (vegetation, litter, bare soil, and stones), and soil variables along elevational gradients. Our findings revealed strong associations between seedlings and facilitative elements (tree shade, deadwood, rocks, and stones). Fewer associations were observed with microhabitat substrates. These associations differed between the two establishment stages. In addition, seedlings of both life stages exhibited distinct associations with soil variables (total nitrogen, sand, and bulk density). The contrasting relationships between small seedlings and young saplings with safe site conditions, microhabitat substrates, and soil variables suggest that early life stages may have different site requirements compared to later stages. Our results suggest that the potential for upslope migration of tree species may depend on safe site conditions, particularly those provided by tree shade, deadwood, rocks, and stones. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Distribution of Tree Species in a Changing Environment)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop