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Advances in Dendrological Research: Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the...
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Advances in Dendrological Research: Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Dendrology Branch of the Chinese Society of Forestry

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Ecology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 4446

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Xian-Rong Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Interests: cherry tree studies; genetic variation; phylogeography
Prof. Dr. Yong Yang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Interests: systematics; biogeography and conservation of seed plants
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In 1985, the Dendrology Branch of the Chinese Society of Forestry was officially established at its founding congress held in Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province. Since its establishment 40 years ago, under the leadership of the Chinese Society of Forestry, the Dendrology Branch has inherited and promoted the glorious traditions and styles of the older generation of dendrologists, including Wan-Chun Cheng. It has united the vast number of dendrologists from across the country who have pooled their wisdom and conducted extensive in-depth research and practices in the role of dendrology in higher education, curriculum reform, the development and utilization of wild plant resources, ecological reconstruction, the biodiversity and conservation of threatened trees and the training of graduate students, all of which are hot topics in modern forestry. Through academic seminars, popular science consulting, and social services and a rich variety of other activities, the Dendrology Branch has facilitated exchanges among dendrologists to discuss developmental strategies. The organization has continuously grown so that, at present, there are more than 500 members working diligently in their respective positions to contribute to the revitalization and development of China's forestry industry.

In recognition of these achievements, the journal Plants is planning to publish a Special Issue entitled ‘Advances in Dendrological Research: Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Dendrology Branch of the Chinese Society of Forestry’. The Special Issue will publish high-quality research articles and comprehensive literature reviews within the broad scope of dendrology. We invite you to contribute your original research papers and comprehensive review articles on a current or hot-topic issue for peer review and possible publication.

Possible topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Dendrology, systematics, phylogenetics and biogeography;
  • Tree ecology and biodiversity, including invasive biology and conservation biology;
  • Structure, physiology, and development, including Evo-Devo;
  • Genetics and variation, including genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and bioinformatics;
  • Trees and human health, including utilization of tree resources.

Prof. Dr. Xian-Rong Wang
Prof. Dr. Yong Yang
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 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. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2700 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

  • tree taxonomy
  • forest ecology
  • biodiversity
  • tree growth and development
  • tree resource utilization
  • systematics and evolution

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  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 5036 KiB  
Article
Modeling Climate Refugia for Chengiodendron marginatum: Insights for Future Conservation Planning
by Zhirun Yu, Quanhong Yan, Yilin Li, Zheng Yan, Chenlong Fu, Bo Jiang and Lin Chen
Plants 2025, 14(13), 1961; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14131961 - 26 Jun 2025
Viewed by 388
Abstract
Chengiodendron marginatum, an evergreen tree or shrub belonging to the Oleaceae family, represents a critical germplasm resource with considerable potential for novel cultivar breeding. To elucidate the adaptive responses of C. marginatum to climate change and provide strategic guidance for its conservation, [...] Read more.
Chengiodendron marginatum, an evergreen tree or shrub belonging to the Oleaceae family, represents a critical germplasm resource with considerable potential for novel cultivar breeding. To elucidate the adaptive responses of C. marginatum to climate change and provide strategic guidance for its conservation, this study investigates the changing patterns in its potential suitable habitats under various climate scenarios. We employed an integrated approach combining maximum entropy (Maxent) modeling with GIS spatial analysis, utilizing current occurrence records and paleoclimatic data spanning from the mid-Holocene to future projections (2041–2060 [2050s] and 2061–2080 [2070s]). Climate scenarios SSP126 and SSP585 were selected to represent contrasting emission pathways. The model demonstrated excellent predictive accuracy with an AUC value of 0.942, identifying precipitation-related variables (particularly the precipitation of driest month and annual precipitation) as the primary environmental factors shaping the geographical distribution of C. marginatum. Current suitable habitats encompass approximately 98.38 × 104 km2, primarily located in East, Central, and South China, with high-suitability habitats restricted to southern Hainan, Taiwan, and northeastern Guangxi. Since the mid-Holocene, an expansion of suitable habitats occurred despite localized contractions in Southwest China. Future projections revealed moderate habitat reduction under both scenarios, and high-suitability areas decreased substantially. Importantly, under both scenarios, persistent high-suitability habitats were maintained in southern Hainan, Taiwan, and northeastern Guangxi, which are identified as essential climate refugia for the species. These findings provide a basis for understanding the response of the species to climate change and offer valuable guidance for its conservation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Dendrological Research: Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Dendrology Branch of the Chinese Society of Forestry)
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16 pages, 5265 KiB  
Article
Global Warming Impacts Suitable Habitats of the Subtropical Endemic Tree Acer pubinerve Rehder, Newly Recorded in Jiangsu Province, China
by Jie Miao, Xinyu Zhang, Zhi Yang, Chao Tan and Yong Yang
Plants 2025, 14(13), 1895; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14131895 - 20 Jun 2025
Viewed by 338
Abstract
Global warming has caused the change of the geographical distribution of many species and threatened the living of species on earth. It is important to describe and predict the response of these species to current and future climate changes to conserve and utilize [...] Read more.
Global warming has caused the change of the geographical distribution of many species and threatened the living of species on earth. It is important to describe and predict the response of these species to current and future climate changes to conserve and utilize the endemic forest species. Acer pubinerve of the Sapindaceae is an important forest tree species endemic to China, our recent fieldwork recorded A. pubinerve in the Jiangsu province for the first time, representing the northernmost known occurrence of the species. In this study, we compiled an occurrence dataset of A. pubinerve based on field investigation, herbarium specimen data and literature, and mapped the resource distribution of this endemic forest species in China. Then, we used the optimized MaxEnt model to predict the potential suitable areas of the species under current climate conditions and future climate change scenarios and studied the impacts of environmental variables on the suitable areas of the species. The MaxEnt model, optimized with a regularization multiplier of 0.5 and a feature combination of linear and quadratic terms, exhibited the best predictive performance. The prediction accuracy of the model was extremely high and the AUC values of training and test data were 0.995 and 0.998, respectively. We found that the leading environmental variables affecting the potential distribution of A. pubinerve include the mean temperature of warmest quarter, the mean temperature of driest quarter, and the annual precipitation. Under the current climatic condition, the suitable distribution area of A. pubinerve is 165.68 × 104 km2, mainly located in the provinces of Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangdong, and Guangxi. Compared with the suitable area under the current climate, the total suitable areas of A. pubinerve is projected to expand toward the north under the future climate change scenarios SSP126, SSP370, and SSP585, while its center shows a general trend of westward migration. Our study lays the foundation for conservation and resource utilization of this endemic tree species in China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Dendrological Research: Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Dendrology Branch of the Chinese Society of Forestry)
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11 pages, 4064 KiB  
Article
Morphological and Molecular Evidence for a New Species Within Styrax (Styracaceae) from a Karst Area in Southwest Guangxi, China
by Guoxing Peng, Tongjun Liang, Jipeng Liang, Yitian Wang, Liaocheng Zhao, Rui Zhang, Yusong Huang, Zhi Li, Weibin Xu and Ming Tang
Plants 2025, 14(12), 1789; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14121789 - 11 Jun 2025
Viewed by 359
Abstract
Styrax chongzuoensis, a novel endemic species with a narrow distribution in limestone regions of Chongzuo, Guangxi, China, is described herein. This new species seems somewhat similar to Styrax fortunei, but significantly differs from it by having long ovate or long lanceolate [...] Read more.
Styrax chongzuoensis, a novel endemic species with a narrow distribution in limestone regions of Chongzuo, Guangxi, China, is described herein. This new species seems somewhat similar to Styrax fortunei, but significantly differs from it by having long ovate or long lanceolate leaves, often with an asymmetrical base (vs. obovate-elliptic to elliptic, often with a symmetrical base) and fertile shoots with fewer flowers (1, or rarely 2 or 3, vs. many, always more than 10). Phylogenetic analyses based on the chloroplast coding sequences indicated that S. chongzuoensis and Styrax japonicus are sister taxa to each other, both clustered in the series Cyrta within Styrax. Overall, the integration of morphological and phylogenetic evidence indicates that S. chongzuoensis actually represents a new species. Color plates of S. chongzuoensis are illustrated, and a distribution map and conservation assessment of this species are also provided. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Dendrological Research: Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Dendrology Branch of the Chinese Society of Forestry)
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15 pages, 1948 KiB  
Article
Research on the Species Diversity and Distribution Patterns of Wild Ribes in Northeast Asia
by Ximing Zhao, Dandan Zhao, Xinrui Ge, Yin Zhang, Yuxiao Du, Jingguo Liu, Yuning Liu, Hongfeng Wang and Baojiang Zheng
Plants 2025, 14(12), 1780; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14121780 - 11 Jun 2025
Viewed by 318
Abstract
Ribes is the only genus in the Grossulariaceae family and holds considerable economic importance. Northeast Asia represents one of the major global centers of Ribes distribution. This study presents the first comprehensive investigation focused on this region, examining the diversity, distribution patterns, and [...] Read more.
Ribes is the only genus in the Grossulariaceae family and holds considerable economic importance. Northeast Asia represents one of the major global centers of Ribes distribution. This study presents the first comprehensive investigation focused on this region, examining the diversity, distribution patterns, and environmental determinants of wild Ribes species through field surveys and a review of the relevant literature. Results indicate the presence of 36 species (including 8 varieties) from 7 subgenera of wild Ribes across Northeast Asia, predominantly belonging to the subgenera Berisia, Ribes, and Grossularia. The species are unevenly distributed throughout the region: (1) The Russian Far East exhibits the highest species richness, with 21 species from 5 subgenera, followed by Northeast China (16 species, 6 subgenera), Japan (12 species, 7 subgenera), Mongolia (10 species, 3 subgenera), South Korea (9 species, 5 subgenera), and North Korea (8 species, 5 subgenera). These findings suggest that the Russian Far East currently serves as the core distribution center for Ribes in Northeast Asia. (2) The species diversity of wild Ribes exhibits a unimodal latitudinal pattern, peaking between 47° N and 52° N. (3) A similar unimodal trend is evident along altitudinal gradients, with most species occurring between 500 m and 1500 m. (4) Species richness is primarily influenced by temperature stability and extreme low temperatures, followed by precipitation seasonality and elevation, while annual precipitation shows a relatively minor effect. This study offers crucial baseline data for the conservation and sustainable utilization of Ribes in Northeast Asia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Dendrological Research: Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Dendrology Branch of the Chinese Society of Forestry)
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21 pages, 3886 KiB  
Article
Distribution Pattern of Endangered Cycas taiwaniana Carruth. in China Under Climate-Change Scenarios Using the MaxEnt Model
by Chunping Xie, Meng Li, C. Y. Jim and Ruonan Chen
Plants 2025, 14(11), 1600; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14111600 - 24 May 2025
Viewed by 610
Abstract
Understanding the potential distribution patterns and habitat suitability of threatened species under climate change scenarios is essential for conservation efforts. This study aimed to assess the current and future distribution patterns of the endangered Cycas taiwaniana in China using the MaxEnt model under [...] Read more.
Understanding the potential distribution patterns and habitat suitability of threatened species under climate change scenarios is essential for conservation efforts. This study aimed to assess the current and future distribution patterns of the endangered Cycas taiwaniana in China using the MaxEnt model under two contrasting climate change scenarios: SSP1-2.6 (low emissions) and SSP3-7.0 (high emissions), projected for the 2050s and 2070s periods. The model identified key bioclimatic variables influencing habitat suitability, including Annual Mean Temperature, Mean Diurnal Range, and Temperature Seasonality. Under current climate conditions, the species’ most suitable habitats are primarily located in southern coastal regions, with Hainan Island showing exceptional suitability. However, future projections under the moderate emission (SSP1-2.6) scenario suggest a significant shrinking of suitable habitat areas, particularly a 27.5% decline in excellent and a 35% decrease in good categories by the 2070s. In contrast, under the high-emission scenario (SSP3-7.0), while an initial decline in suitable habitats is projected, the model predicts an unexpected expansion of highly suitable areas by 2070, particularly in Guangxi, Guangdong, and Fujian coastal regions. The results highlight the vulnerability of C. taiwaniana to climate change and underscore the importance of developing adaptive conservation strategies to mitigate potential habitat loss. The findings also emphasize the need for further research on species-specific responses to climate change and the development of proactive measures to safeguard the future distribution of this threatened species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Dendrological Research: Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Dendrology Branch of the Chinese Society of Forestry)
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15 pages, 1625 KiB  
Article
Predicting Range Shifts of Five Alnus (Betulaceae) Species in China Under Future Climate Scenarios
by Wenjie Yang, Zhilong Huang, Chenlong Fu, Zhuang Zhao, Xiaoyue Yang, Quanjun Hu and Zefu Wang
Plants 2025, 14(11), 1597; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14111597 - 24 May 2025
Viewed by 460
Abstract
Climate change poses significant challenges to forest biodiversity by altering species distributions. This study employed the MaxEnt model to predict the current and potential future suitable habitats of five Alnus species in China under four Shared Socioeconomic Pathways. Model accuracy was high, with [...] Read more.
Climate change poses significant challenges to forest biodiversity by altering species distributions. This study employed the MaxEnt model to predict the current and potential future suitable habitats of five Alnus species in China under four Shared Socioeconomic Pathways. Model accuracy was high, with temperature seasonality identified as the most influential variable. In addition, predicted range shifts showed species-specific patterns, with most species expanding toward higher latitudes and elevations. In contrast, Alnus ferdinandi-coburgii exhibited consistent habitat contraction. These findings enhance understanding of the climatic responses of Alnus species and provide a scientific basis for targeted conservation and management strategies under future climate change, and may offer insights into habitat responses of Alnus species in other temperate regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Dendrological Research: Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Dendrology Branch of the Chinese Society of Forestry)
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20 pages, 14130 KiB  
Article
Predicting Potential Suitable Habitats of Three Rare Wild Magnoliaceae Species (Michelia crassipes, Lirianthe coco, Manglietia insignis) Under Current and Future Climatic Scenarios Based on the Maxent Model
by Yu Fan, Weihao Yao, Zenghui Wang, Xinyue Fan, Shuyue Hu, Hongfei Wang and Jing Ou
Plants 2025, 14(4), 506; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14040506 - 7 Feb 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 926
Abstract
In recent years, the impacts of climate change and human activities have intensified the loss and fragmentation of habitats for wild rare Magnoliaceae. Predicting the potential impacts of future climate change on the suitable habitat distribution of wild and endangered Magnoliaceae species is [...] Read more.
In recent years, the impacts of climate change and human activities have intensified the loss and fragmentation of habitats for wild rare Magnoliaceae. Predicting the potential impacts of future climate change on the suitable habitat distribution of wild and endangered Magnoliaceae species is of great significance for their conservation and application. This study employs the optimized MaxEnt model to investigate current and future potential suitable habitats of three rare Magnoliaceae species (Michelia crassipes, Lirianthe coco, and Manglietia insignis). The dominant environmental variables influencing the distribution of three species were also explored. The results showed the following: (1) The potential habitat range of three Magnoliaceae species currently span from 92–122° N and 19–36° E. Variables associated with temperature (bio2, bio9, bio4) and altitude (Ele) significantly influence the distribution of these species, with precipitation (bio17) and ultraviolet radiation (UVB4) playing a minor role. The warm and humid climate in central and southern China is highly conducive to their growth. (2) Under the SSP126 scenario, after the mid-21st century, the suitable habitat area of Michelia crassipes has undergone a fluctuating trend of initial increase followed by decrease, reducing to 51.84 × 104 km2 in 2090. On the other hand, both the suitable habitat areas of Lirianthe coco and Manglietia insignis show an upward trend. Under the SSP245 and SSP585 scenarios, the total suitable habitat areas of these three rare Magnoliaceae species gradually decrease. (3) We compared the priority protection areas with existing Protected Areas (PAs) in gap analysis; 96.84% of priority conservation areas are lacking effective protection. (4) The distribution centroid is constantly moving to western China. In order to address habitat fragmentation, it is recommended that the range of natural reserves be expanded and ecological corridors be established in the future, preferably according to the predicted suitable climate for protected areas and refuges or habitats for these species. Overall, these findings provide valuable insights for the preservation, stewardship, and utilization of the endangered species of Magnoliaceae under the circumstances of projected global climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Dendrological Research: Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Dendrology Branch of the Chinese Society of Forestry)
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Review

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19 pages, 8437 KiB  
Review
Research Progress of CLE and Its Prospects in Woody Plants
by Zewen Song, Wenjun Zhou, Hanyu Jiang and Yifan Duan
Plants 2025, 14(10), 1424; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14101424 - 9 May 2025
Viewed by 510
Abstract
The peptide ligands of the CLAVATA3/EMBRYO SURROUNDING REGION-RELATED (CLE) family have been previously identified as essential signals for both short- and long-distance communication in plants, particularly during stem cell homeostasis, cell fate determination, and growth and development. To date, most studies on the [...] Read more.
The peptide ligands of the CLAVATA3/EMBRYO SURROUNDING REGION-RELATED (CLE) family have been previously identified as essential signals for both short- and long-distance communication in plants, particularly during stem cell homeostasis, cell fate determination, and growth and development. To date, most studies on the CLE family have focused on model plants and especially those involving stem and apical meristems. Relatively little is known about the role of CLE peptides in tall trees and other plant meristems. In this review, we summarize the role of CLE genes in regulating plant Root Apical Meristem (RAM), Shoot Apical Meristem (SAM), Procambium, Leaf and Floral Meristem (FM), as well as their involvement in multiple signaling pathways. We also highlight the evolutionary conservation of the CLE gene family and provide a comprehensive summary of its distribution across various plant developmental tissues. This paper aims to provide insights into novel regulatory networks of CLE in plant meristems, offering guidance for understanding intercellular signaling pathways in forest trees and the development of new plant organs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Dendrological Research: Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Dendrology Branch of the Chinese Society of Forestry)
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