Genetic Resources and Adaptive Management of Conifers in a Changing World

Dear Colleagues,

Conifer forests have been widely exploited and transformed by forestry (e.g., by long-range seed trade or selection for cultivation). Around the world, these forests currently display an unexpected vulnerability due to ongoing rapid climatic changes, extreme events, and the invasions of antagonists, which emphasizes the importance of their genetic resources, supporting adaptivity, and resilience. There exists an urgent need to translate research information into frameworks for conserving genetic resources and to support the resilience of conifer species to projected changes and threats. Both ecological and genetic research may significantly contribute to effective dynamic conservation and management strategies.

The planned Special Issue “Genetic Resources and Adaptive Management of Conifers in a Changing World” aims at supporting adaptive management and conservation of conifers by offering a platform for papers presenting new research results or thematic reviews which address knowledge gaps. Thematic fields include conifer genetic diversity or demographics, studies of common gardens or of (epi-)genetic, physiological, and developmental processes during acclimation, evolutionary and plastic responses to abiotic and biotic stress factors, range shifts, etc. Of interest are also issues linked to the ecological and genetic frameworks for restoration and management and to predict growth and survival responses, such as the effects of limiting site factors and extreme events (e.g., droughts), management interventions,  and antagonistic organisms on resilience or genetic resources.

Prof. Csaba Mátyás
Guest Editor

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