Processes and Patterns of Genetic and Genomic Differentiation in Trees

Dear Colleagues,

Tree species have played important roles in the maintenance and turnover of global forest ecosystems, and the utility of trees covers environmental conservation and restoration, genetics and breeding, horticultural application, food and industrial production as well as social science. Numerous tree species are now threatened by habitat loss and suffering significant population decline and local extinction. However, the molecular mechanisms in explanation of tolerance and adaptive evolution in trees are still unclear due to limited biological and ecological investigations, while this scenario can be relevant to the specific characteristics of tree species, such as long-term lifespan, potentially low evolutionary rate and massive population size.

Currently, the rapid accumulation of genetic resources in tree species and related organisms, especially the omics data from next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have provided opportunities for understanding the survival, development and adaptation of trees in the face of climate change, species competition and anthropogenic influence. In view of this, we launch this Special Issue entitled “Processes and Patterns of Genetic and Genomic Differentiation in Trees” to collect about 6-10 original research articles as well as related reviews focused on the adaptive aspects of tree species, aiming to promote the knowledge of molecular adaptation and evolution of trees, and to provide valuable insights into the management and conservation of forest ecosystems based on genetic/genomic explanation. The topics of this Special Issue include, but not limited to: diversification patterns of trees, phylogeography and population genetics, genomic background of important tree species, adaptive effects on morphology, physiology and molecule, biotic and abiotic interactions on adaptive evolution, novel methods and/or techniques for detection of genetic signals in adaptive evolution, ecological prediction and implication on forest conservation, etc.

Dr. Jia Yang
Prof. Dr. Guifang Zhao
Dr. Xiaodan Chen
Guest Editors

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