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Forests
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Adaptive Mechanisms of Tree Seedlings to Adapt to Stress—Second Edition
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Adaptive Mechanisms of Tree Seedlings to Adapt to Stress—Second Edition

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Ecophysiology and Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 November 2024 | Viewed by 3080

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Bo Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, China
Interests: plant regeneration; ecological strategy; functional traits; restoration ecology; phenotypic plasticity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Shaofei Jin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Geography and Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou 350108, China
Interests: forest ecology; climate change; silicon cycle; carnon cycle; plant–soil interaction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Mulualem Tigabu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 49, 23053 Alnarp, Sweden
Interests: regeneration; seedling physiology; light quality and quantity; seedling nutrition; seedling ecology
Dr. Jing Zhou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, China
Interests: janzen connell hypothesis; microbial functional flora; rhizosphere microorganisms; seeding regeneration; succession of microbial community
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As the most critical stage throughout the plant life cycle, the seedling period plays a crucial role in forest community succession and vegetation restoration. Seedlings are vulnerable to biotic and abiotic stresses during their growth stage. Ongoing climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of stresses such as drought, flood, extreme temperature, and pest spread. In the long-term evolutionary process, tree seedlings have developed a set of adaptive mechanisms to deal with these stresses. Research on seedling growth mechanisms is helpful to understand and clarify ecological adaptation characteristics that ensure better growth and performance in the field. For this Special Issue, we invite the submission of all research that deals with the adaptation mechanisms of tree seedlings to biotic and abiotic stresses, highlighting their important roles in coping with stresses in forest ecosystems. Thus, this Special Issue aims to collate up-to-date research findings on various adaptive mechanisms of tree seedlings to stress. You are welcome to browse the first edition of this Special Issue, “Adaptive Mechanisms of Tree Seedlings to Adapt to Stress”, at https://www.mdpi.com/journal/forests/special_issues/8O38081R1J.

Potential topics of interest for this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Morphological, physiological, and ecological adaptation mechanisms;
  • Natural regeneration of tree species;
  • Adaptation mechanism of understory seedlings to different light conditions;
  • Intraspecific and interspecific competition mechanisms between seedlings;
  • Microbial community succession and their interaction with seedling growth;
  • Soil microorganisms and tree seedling growth;
  • Effects of extreme climate events on tree seedling survival and growth;
  • Silicon, microplastic, and site preparation methods and tree seedling growth;
  • Heavy metals and tree seedling growth.

Dr. Bo Liu
Dr. Shaofei Jin
Dr. Mulualem Tigabu
Dr. Jing Zhou
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. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2600 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

  • adaptation
  • regeneration
  • seedlings
  • forest growth
  • climate change

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 3186 KiB  
Article
Glycine Betaine Enhances Poplar Cultivar (Populus deltoides × Populus euramericana) Tolerance to Confront NaCl Stress
by Feiyan Chen, Ali Movahedi, Hui Wei, Qiang Zhuge and Weibo Sun
Forests 2024, 15(8), 1295; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15081295 - 25 Jul 2024
Viewed by 421
Abstract
Glycine betaine (GB) serves as a compatible solute crucial for stress tolerance across numerous plant species. Populus trichocarpa grows along coastal regions and often suffers from salt stress. In this study, we explored the effects of foliar spraying of GB on the growth, [...] Read more.
Glycine betaine (GB) serves as a compatible solute crucial for stress tolerance across numerous plant species. Populus trichocarpa grows along coastal regions and often suffers from salt stress. In this study, we explored the effects of foliar spraying of GB on the growth, physicochemical indexes, gene expression, and stress tolerance of poplar under salt stress. To achieve this, poplar plants (Populus deltoides × Populus euramericana “Nanlin 895”) were grown under four NaCl concentrations: 0, 50, 100, and 150 mM. Additionally, they were treated with 0, 5, 15, and 25 mM GB. The degree of effect on potted poplars was observed after 8 weeks. A GB treatment of about 15 mM significantly reduced the impact of salt stress and photosynthetic pigments and caused an improvement in the activity of the antioxidant enzymes peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Moreover, GB-treated poplars had significantly more malonaldehyde (MDA) than the control lines. This study indicated that GB treatment reduces salt stress symptoms in poplars. This research helps to develop safe levels of endogenous GB, which will make poplars more resistant to environmental stresses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Mechanisms of Tree Seedlings to Adapt to Stress—Second Edition)
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13 pages, 3722 KiB  
Article
Temporal Variations in Enzymatic and Non-Enzymatic Antioxidant Activity in Silver Birch (Betula pendula Roth.): The Genetic Component
by Vaida Sirgedaitė-Šėžienė, Ieva Čėsnienė and Dorotėja Vaitiekūnaitė
Forests 2024, 15(7), 1262; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15071262 - 19 Jul 2024
Viewed by 451
Abstract
Betula pendula Roth. (silver birch) is a pioneer species in the Northern Hemisphere forests. It plays a significant role in various ecosystems, human industries, and biodiversity. Taking all this into account, understanding the genetic diversity within B. pendula populations is crucial for fully [...] Read more.
Betula pendula Roth. (silver birch) is a pioneer species in the Northern Hemisphere forests. It plays a significant role in various ecosystems, human industries, and biodiversity. Taking all this into account, understanding the genetic diversity within B. pendula populations is crucial for fully exploiting their potential, particularly regarding their production of phenolic compounds and antioxidants. We tested the non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidant activity in seven silver birch half-sib family leaves. Spectrophotometric data from leaf extracts showed that there was a significant variation between families in terms of total phenol content (TPC) and antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase (POX), catalase, glutathione reductase, and ascorbate peroxidase) levels. The data were gathered during two consecutive seasons, resulting in a variance in antioxidant production, which generally increased in the tested families during the second year (except for POX) as opposed to the first vegetative season. For example, SOD levels increased in the second year by 15% to 243% and TPC increased by 46%–189%, depending on the half-sib family. A more thorough study of this variation should prove beneficial in various research fields, ranging from climate change to cosmetics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Mechanisms of Tree Seedlings to Adapt to Stress—Second Edition)
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16 pages, 1594 KiB  
Article
Natural Regeneration Patterns of Juglans mandshurica in Different Habitats
by Donghai Cui, Qingcheng Wang, Shuangjiao Ma, Yong Zhang, Liqing Xu and Limei Yan
Forests 2024, 15(7), 1201; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15071201 - 11 Jul 2024
Viewed by 440
Abstract
The natural regeneration of Juglans mandshurica (Juglans mandshurica Maxim.) is challenging. To elucidate its regeneration patterns, we conducted a comparative analysis of the spatial distribution and regeneration indices of Juglans mandshurica seedlings across different habitats, from the forest edge to the inner [...] Read more.
The natural regeneration of Juglans mandshurica (Juglans mandshurica Maxim.) is challenging. To elucidate its regeneration patterns, we conducted a comparative analysis of the spatial distribution and regeneration indices of Juglans mandshurica seedlings across different habitats, from the forest edge to the inner forest, over a span of 1000 m. Our findings revealed significant differences in seedling growth and regeneration patterns among these habitats. The growth indicators of Juglans mandshurica seedlings were notably higher at the forest edge compared to other habitats. The proportion of Juglans mandshurica seedlings was lower than that of 1- and 2-year-old seedlings, with only 7% being young seedlings at the forest edge. Juglans mandshurica renewal seedlings were aggregated, with the degree of aggregation as follows: 15 m > forest edge > 60 m > 30 m. The regeneration index was highest at the forest edge (1.0) and decreased with distance: 15 m (0.62), 30 m (0.52), 60 m (0.42). Shrub species and other seedlings at the forest edge showed a significant negative correlation with the Juglans mandshurica seedling numbers (p < 0.05). At 15 m, tree species displayed a significant (p < 0.05) or highly significant (p < 0.01) negative correlation. Stand closure at 30 m exhibited a substantial (p < 0.05) or highly significant (p < 0.01) negative correlation with the Juglans mandshurica regeneration index. At 60 m, the tree species, number, and basal area at breast height showed a significant (p < 0.05) or highly significant (p < 0.01) negative correlation with the Juglans mandshurica regeneration index. The forest edge had the highest renewal index and effectiveness, making it a priority for the conservation and management of Juglans mandshurica renewal. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the conservation and sustainable management of Juglans mandshurica populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Mechanisms of Tree Seedlings to Adapt to Stress—Second Edition)
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25 pages, 4254 KiB  
Article
Effects of CO2 and Soil Moisture Treatments on Morphological and Allometric Trait Variation in Coppiced Seedlings: A Study of Four Early-Successional Deciduous Species
by Axel Brisebois and John E. Major
Forests 2024, 15(5), 856; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15050856 - 14 May 2024
Viewed by 706
Abstract
Atmospheric CO2 levels have been increasing, and likewise, increasing drought events have been following increasing temperatures. There is very little literature on the effects of climate change factors on early-successional deciduous species used for ecological restoration. Thus, morphological and allometric variation in [...] Read more.
Atmospheric CO2 levels have been increasing, and likewise, increasing drought events have been following increasing temperatures. There is very little literature on the effects of climate change factors on early-successional deciduous species used for ecological restoration. Thus, morphological and allometric variation in four coppiced early-successional deciduous species was examined in response to a 2 × 2 factorial of ambient CO2 (aCO2, 400 ppm) and elevated CO2 (eCO2, 800 ppm), as well as well-watered and drought treatments with 15%–20% and 5%–10% volumetric moisture content, respectively, grown in sandy soil with low soil nitrogen (N) under greenhouse conditions. The four species examined were as follows: green alder (Alnus viridis subsp. crispa (Ait.) Turrill), speckled alder (A. incana subsp. rugosa (Du Roi) R.T. Clausen), gray birch (Betula populifolia (Marshall)), and white birch (B. papyrifera (Marshall)), and all are from the same phylogenetic family, Betulaceae. Genus differences in morphological and growth traits were large, especially in response to the environmental treatments used. Alders upregulated all growth traits under eCO2 because of the strong coppicing sink effect and the additional foliar N provided by the actinorhizal ability of the genus, whereas birches remained the same or slightly decreased under eCO2. As a result, alders have a significantly greater foliar N than birches, with 2.8 and 1.0%, respectively. All species reduced growth under drought, and green alder had the greatest stem dry mass growth, followed by speckled alder and then the birches. Under drought, eCO2 not only mitigated the alder drought dry mass but, in fact, doubled the stem dm, whereas eCO2 only just mitigated the birches drought response. When corrected for size using stem height, alders allocated more to stem and leaf and less to root dry mass than birches. Atmospheric CO2 and soil moisture treatments changed organ biomass allocation. The tallest stem height was the best predictor of total (above and below) dry mass. With increasing atmospheric CO2, particularly on low nutrient sites, the results show alders are capable of sequestering far more carbon than birches. In addition, with more atmospheric CO2, alders can mitigate against drought conditions better compared to birches. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Mechanisms of Tree Seedlings to Adapt to Stress—Second Edition)
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17 pages, 1470 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Minimal Cultivation Techniques on Growth Rate of Robinia pseudacacia L. Seedlings
by Cristina Drăghici, Ioan Vasile Abrudan, Adela Hoble, Raluca Enescu, Gheorghe Spârchez and Iacob Crăciunesc
Forests 2024, 15(5), 785; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15050785 - 29 Apr 2024
Viewed by 720
Abstract
The seed provenance, the type of substrate and its properties, as well as the watering regime in the first years after sowing are among the most important characteristics affecting the production of containerized seedlings. The objective of this study was to analyse the [...] Read more.
The seed provenance, the type of substrate and its properties, as well as the watering regime in the first years after sowing are among the most important characteristics affecting the production of containerized seedlings. The objective of this study was to analyse the growth of black locust (Robinia pseudacacia L.) seedlings on different types of substrate (six mineral and two organic) with different textures and pHs under three different regimes of available water content (no-limiting, medium drought, severe drought) over a period of five months (May–October 2023), using seeds from three sources located in the southeast, south, and west of Romania. The highest seedling emergence rate (73.7%) was obtained for the medium seeds with 18.492 g weight (1000 seed weighs) (Bucharest provenance). Direct sowing in the field and containerized seedlings both showed a trend of growing in height during unlimited water and of growing in diameter during low watering. The lowest survival rate of seedlings (86.7%) occurred in the mineral substrate in the case of rendzina with additional sand (pH 8.70), and for the organic substrate, the lowest survival rate (87.0%) occurred for the peat MKS 3 substrate (pH 4.54). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Mechanisms of Tree Seedlings to Adapt to Stress—Second Edition)
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Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

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