Vitality of Forest Ecosystems through Genetic, Epigenetic, Physiology and Biodiversity Exploitation

Dear Colleagues,

The role of forest ecosystems in sustaining life on Earth is vital, as they encompass a diverse array of genetic, epigenetic, physiological, and biodiversity factors that are integral to their overall health and functionality. However, in the present day, forest ecosystems are experiencing significant pressures caused by biotic and abiotic factors, climate change, and human activities, all of which have detrimental effects on their resilience and preservation. Genetic resources in forests encompass the vast array of plant and animal species, each possessing unique genetic traits that enable them to adapt to environmental changes and resist diseases. Epigenetic factors, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, influence gene expression and play a significant role in regulating plant and animal responses to environmental stimuli. Tree physiology and forest ecophysiology provide valuable insights for sustainable forest management by informing decisions related to growth optimization, assessing forest health, and adapting to changing environmental conditions. Finally, biodiversity is a fundamental aspect of forest resources, encompassing the variety of species, species diversity, genetic diversity within species, and the intricate web of ecological interactions. Forest ecosystems thrive on biodiversity as it ensures their resilience and productivity.

Through an multidiciplinary approach of exploring genetic, epigenetic, physiology and biodiversity parameters, the scope of the current Special Issue is to propose solutions for sustainable forest resources in longterm survival. Addressing these issues requires collective efforts in sustainable forest management, conservation initiatives, and policy interventions aimed at promoting reforestation and reducing deforestation rates. We invite papers that focus on these important aspects of forest resources and as well as combined holistic approaches for facing forest threats.

Dr. Evangelia V. Avramidou
Dr. Evangelia Korakaki
Dr. Alexandra D. Solomou
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.

• genetic
• epigenetic
• tree physiology
• forest ecophysiology
• biodiversity
• ecology
• environment
• forest