Genetic Variation and Conservation of Forest Species
A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Genetics and Molecular Biology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 260
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The rapid advancements in molecular genetics and genomics have significantly expanded our knowledge of forest tree genetic diversity, including genotype–phenotype relationships, species-specific genome characteristics, and adaptive capacity revealed through genetic monitoring. This knowledge is essential for understanding species adaptation mechanisms and their limits in response to environmental changes, particularly in the context of climate change and human-induced environmental degradation.
Despite accumulating genetic knowledge, gaps remain in forest tree genetics and gene conservation. While forest genetic resources have been identified and documented, questions persist regarding long-term conservation methods and optimal management. For example, the progress on genetic knowledge and information helped to understand that in situ conservation, previously considered sufficient, should be often combined with ex situ methods (dynamic conservation) for certain species. Likewise, the results of various genetic studies were successfully integrated to develop effective methods of forest ecosystem restoration.
The rational use of preserved genetic resources is crucial not only for the forestry sector's economy but also for restoring damaged ecosystems, adaptively maintaining forests, and sustainable landscape management. Enhancing our genetic knowledge and sharing practical conservation experiences will deepen our understanding of forest ecosystem complexity and the specific responses of tree species.
For this Special Issue, we encourage submissions that offer new findings or insights into forest genetics and the conservation and utilization of forest genetic resources.
Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Tree genetics and genomics;
- Adaptation and resilience to changing environmental factors;
- Genetic monitoring;
- Conservation and the use of forest genetic resources;
- The management of conservation units;
- Genetic aspects linked to the restoration of forest ecosystems.
Dr. Sándor Bordács
Guest Editor
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
- forest genetics and genomics
- population genetics
- adaptation
- functional genomics
- phylogeography
- genetic monitoring
- conservation and use of forest genetic resources
- management of conservation units
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