Longleaf Pine Ecology, Restoration, and Management

Dear Colleagues,

Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) forests (and woodlands) are among the world’s most unique and biologically diverse ecosystems, which have long been considered vital in the southeastern United States due to their social, ecological, and economic value. However, after the extensive exploitation, fire suppression, and land use change during the 19th and 20th centuries, following European settlement, longleaf pine forests in the United States have become an endangered ecosystem.

Longleaf pine forests provide quality timber and related forest products and serve as excellent wildlife habitats. Several endangered species are currently dependent on this ecosystem. In addition, longleaf pine forests have significant potential for carbon storage, as trees can reach a lifespan of up to 450 years. Consequently, the conservation and restoration of longleaf pine forests have become the priority in natural resource management in the southeastern United States.

This Special Issue aims to discuss new knowledge of longleaf pine forests from different perspectives to achieve the sustainability of this species and ecosystem.

Potential topics include (but are not limited to):

• Longleaf pine tree growth, ecophysiology, and reproduction;
• Effect of prescribed burning on the restoration of longleaf pine forests;
• Effects of climate change on longleaf pine forests;
• Catastrophic effects on longleaf pine forests;
• Ecological processes in longleaf pine forests (e.g., carbon, water, and nutrients)
• Ecological services of longleaf pine forests;
• Biodiversity in longleaf pine forests;
• Woody and non-woody products from longleaf pine forests;
• Management practices in longleaf pine forests.

Dr. Xiongwen Chen
Dr. Qinfeng Guo
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. 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.