Forest Arthropods and Their Roles in Forest Ecology

Dear Colleagues,

Forests, beyond their central economic importance in human economic life, are among the planet's fundamental ecosystems. They are not only reservoirs of biodiversity but also serve functional roles in ensuring the foundation and continuity of other ecosystems. Arthropods are among the key components within these complex systems, contributing to ecological balance through diverse functional contributions. Understanding the diversity and interactions of arthropods in forest ecosystems is therefore essential—not only as a measure of ecosystem health but also as a basis for interpreting forest dynamics.

Arthropods in forest habitats may function as either pests or beneficial organisms, depending on ecological context and anthropogenic perspective. Certain species, once functionally neutral, are increasingly reported as significant forest pests due to shifting environmental conditions. Others, such as pollinators, predators, and parasitoids, play beneficial roles that enhance forest resilience and productivity. Distinguishing between these groups—and understanding the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms that drive such transitions—is central to both forest biology and integrated pest management. Effective and ecologically supported approaches to forest pest control depend on a detailed knowledge of arthropod community composition and their interaction networks. At the same time, an accurate assessment of arthropod diversity within these complex ecosystems requires the investigation of plant–insect interactions, analyzing both contemporary ecological processes and the evolutionary trajectories that underpin them.

In recent decades, climate change and anthropogenic landscape disturbances have emerged as major drivers of ecological transformation. Forests are experiencing rapid and, in some cases, irreversible shifts in species composition, species phenology, and structural dynamics. Alongside transformations in tree communities, forests’ arthropod communities and diversity turn over in a very rapid, multifaceted, and multidimensional manner. In response to warmer temperatures, some species are expanding their distribution or shifting their range, some are shifting their phenology or life history traits, while some others are facing local extinction. These events call for urgent attention to the future of forest ecosystems and the arthropod populations associated with them.

The changing climate also redefines the long-standing relationship between humans and forests. As we look toward an uncertain ecological future, the sustainability of this relationship depends on our ability to synthesize existing ecological dynamics. Such a synthesis will enable us to assess future forest ecosystem dynamics, to adopt new pest management practices, and to develop conservation strategies. This Special Issue of Forests has been conceived in response to this necessity. By bringing together contributions that address the ecological, evolutionary, and applied dimensions of forest entomology, we aim to provide an integrated perspective on the future of forests and their arthropod communities. We extend our sincere thanks in advance to all contributors.

Prof. Dr. Battal Ciplak
Guest Editor

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• forest ecology
• forest arthropods
• global warming
• pest management
• insect–plant interaction