Plant Invasions in Forest Ecosystems: Understanding Arrival, Expansion and Management: 2nd Edition

Dear Colleagues,

Invasive alien plants significantly disrupt the delicate balance of forest ecosystems, impacting biodiversity, ecological functions, and management practices. This Special Issue aims to deepen our understanding of the complex dynamics surrounding plant invasions, with a specific focus on arrival mechanisms, expansion pathways, and effective management strategies. Recognizing the dual challenge of preventing invasions and managing established populations, this Special Issue collection seeks to integrate fundamental ecological research with applied perspectives. A key area of exploration is the connection between plant invasions and practical forest restoration efforts, including the deliberate introduction or exclusion of alien species. Furthermore, the interplay between invasive plants, associated insect pests, and overall ecosystem health is a critical aspect that will be addressed. By synthesizing insights from various scales and contexts, this Special Issue intends to provide valuable knowledge to mitigate the adverse effects of plant invasions and foster more resilient forest ecosystems. It also aims to inform sustainable management practices regarding impacts on soil processes, carbon cycles, hydrological functions, and the potential influence of climate change.

Dr. Jun Liu
Dr. Zacchaeus Compson
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.