Forest Trees Ecophysiology under Global Change

Dear colleagues,

Global climate change (GCC) is a reality and forests play an undisputed role in GCC mitigation. The interconnection between trees and GCC is very close. Carbon dioxide in not only a principal greenhouse gas but it is also a basic “food” for photosynthesis. Thus, the role of autotrophs including trees is clear. The primary effect of GCC on the life of forest trees is mediated via photosynthesis and ecophysiological processes.

The effect of GCC is mediated not only by photosynthesis. GCC also often manifests in terms of the water level. This means that evapotranspiration responses and drought reactions are of great significance. A very important part of the physiological responses of trees is their reaction to changing seasonal phenology. The sudden start of spring is related to rapid changes in the assimilatory apparatus. Significant changes in the precipitation distribution affects the seasonal ontogeny of tree tissues (leaf, cambium, buds) with significant consequences.

A special cluster of responses are found relating to the reaction of carbon dioxide enhancement and the assimilation of carbon. Photosynthesis depression and acclimation, the effects of RUBISCO activity, and nutrient reallocation were discovered and need further investigation. The effect of GCC can be observed more deeply using “omics” techniques. These techniques are resulting in the discovery of very rapid responses in metabolite composition and abundance as a reaction to GCC. These changes are very clear and further knowledge is welcomed.

The very special role of ecophysiological studies of forest trees lies in the wide area of forest stand–atmosphere gas flux reactions. Knowledge of the principles of gas flux, seasonal effects and impact of extreme climate events is still weak. The need to evaluate the physiological principles of, for example carbon flux, is still very urgent, because we need information on global carbon sinks and their sensitivity to not only environmental but also to anthropogenic events. 

Thus the objective of this Special Issue is of great importance. The goal of this issue is to compile the most recent research on forest tree ecophysiology responses to GCC. The scale of processes that could be considered is wide, and should not simply identify the most important process–environment reactions. The papers published in this Special Issue will provide results and prospects for use in global climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Prof. Michal V. Marek
Guest Editor

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