Conservation of Biodiversity in Forest and Agroecosystems Under Climate Change
A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainability, Biodiversity and Conservation".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 869
Special Issue Editors
Interests: agrobiodiversity; traditional agroecosystems; plant ecology
Interests: plant ecology; functional ecology; biodiversity conservation; agroecosystems; climate change
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The accelerating impacts of climate change—particularly rising aridity and increasingly frequent, prolonged droughts—are profoundly reshaping ecosystems and threatening biodiversity across the globe. Forests and agroecosystems are especially vulnerable, as their structure, function, and productivity are tightly linked to climatic stability. These systems provide critical ecological services and are essential for food security, rural livelihoods, and the maintenance of genetic resources. However, growing evidence highlights climate change-induced disruptions in key ecological processes, including altered phenology, reduced water availability, declining soil fertility, and shifts in pest and disease dynamics.
In this context, the sustainable management and conservation of biodiversity and genetic resources in both forest and agricultural landscapes are more urgent than ever. This Special Issue seeks to contribute to this global effort by providing a platform for original research articles, case studies, preliminary findings, and review papers that address how climate change is influencing vegetation structure, species diversity, and ecosystem resilience. A particular focus is placed on sustainable conservation practices, adaptive strategies, and the role of traditional agroecosystems in enhancing biodiversity and ensuring long-term sustainability.
We encourage submissions that align with and contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the following:
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger, via the role of agrobiodiversity in sustainable food systems under climate change.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, by promoting sustainable land use and genetic resource management under climate change.
- SDG 13: Climate Action, by addressing climate resilience in land-based ecosystems under climate change.
- SDG 15: Life on Land, through the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems under climate change.
Topics of interest include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Climate change’s impacts on forest and agroecosystem biodiversity.
- Conservation of plant genetic resources under environmental stress.
- Biodiversity management and ecosystem-based adaptation strategies.
- The ecological and cultural role of traditional agroecosystems.
- Sustainable land use and agroecological practices.
- Community-based conservation and resilience approaches.
- Functional strategies, vegetation shifts, and phenological responses.
- Soil health, water dynamics, and ecosystem services under climate stress.
This Special Issue welcomes interdisciplinary and applied research that bridges science, practice, and policy, aiming to foster sustainable solutions in the face of climate change.
Prof. Dr. Mohammed Ater
Dr. Jalal Kassout
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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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. Sustainability 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 2400 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
- biodiversity conservation
- genetic resources
- forest ecosystems
- agroecosystems
- ecological adaptation
- ecosystem resilience
- community-based conservation
- sustainable development
- drought stress
- sustainable land use
- conservation strategies
- climate adaptation
- mitigation strategies
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