Alpine Treeline Ecotone—from Structure and Function to Ecosystem Services

Dear Collueagues,

Alpine treeline ecotone as a sensitive monitor of environmental change has aroused increasing attention in recent decades. However, our understanding of the patterns, processes, function, and ecological services of alpine treeline ecotones and their underlying drivers are still limited. Classic and novel research from different perspectives is urgently needed to resolve these uncertainties and enhance our understanding of treeline ecosystems. Multidisciplinary contributions related to treeline ecotones (e.g., from subalpine forest or alpine grassland) are welcome. Topics include, but are not confined to, the following:

• Alpine vegetation composition, structure and patterns;
• Dynamics of alpine plant life;
• Adaptation and evolution of alpine plant life;
• Treeline changes (e.g., tree growth, recruitment, and range shifts);
• Grasses and soil microbiota across the treeline ecotone;
• Biogeochemical cycles from subalpine forest to alpine grassland;
• Multiple services provided by treeline ecosystems;
• Livelihoods of mountainous people near, at, and beyond the treeline;
• Challenges and threats to the functions of treeline ecosystems and management practices.

Dr. Jesús Julio Camarero
Dr. Yafeng Wang
Dr. Jinniu Wang
Dr. Yang Yang
Guest Editors

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