Genetic Variation and Phenotypic Plasticity in Trees
A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Genetics and Molecular Biology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 May 2023) | Viewed by 6239
Special Issue Editors
Interests: genotype-by-environment interaction; phenotypic plasticity; drought tolerance; plant adaptation; phenotypic integration
Interests: quantitative forest genetics; adaptive variation; phenotypic plasticity; pathogen and pest resistance; plant-insect interactions; life-history trade-offs; maternal effects; mediterranean pines
Interests: life history evolution in pines; forest tree breeding; conservation of genetic resources; fire tolerance and resilience of forest tree species; phenotypic plasticity and phenotypic integration
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The contribution of genetic differentiation and phenotypic plasticity in modulating functional trait variability is key for the capacity of forest trees to thrive in complex environments. However, the relative importance of genetic change and plasticity underlying intraspecific variability remains insufficiently studied. Common garden experiments and reciprocal transplants, among others, are useful to quantify such processes and, consequently, to evaluate the adaptive potential of a species when entrained by novel combinations of temperature and precipitation under global change. In this Special Issue, we invite studies assessing the adaptive structure of forest tree species typical of terrestrial biomes (from tropical to boreal) through genetic experiments involving functional traits related to growth, reproduction and resistance to biotic and abiotic stressors.
In particular, we encourage studies enquiring into:
- The adaptive relevance of intra- versus interpopulation variability and plasticity of fitness-related traits.
- The interplay between demographic (neutral) effects and historical climate modulating genetic changes and plasticity of fitness-related traits.
- The multi-trait, multi-environment characterization of quantitative intraspecific variation and trade-offs.
- The adaptive relevance of population differentiation in endemic species as opposed to widely distributed taxa.
- The range-wide (i.e., comprehensive) structure of genotypic variation and genotype-by-environment interactions for key functional traits.
- The inter-relationships (i.e., trade-offs) between the variation and plasticity of different life-history and functional traits.
Prof. Dr. Jordi Voltas
Dr. Rafael Zas
Dr. José M. Climent Maldonado
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- common garden
- genotype by environment interaction
- fitness
- functional traits
- intraspecific variation
- life-history
- phenotypic integration
- phenotypic plasticity
- trade-offs
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