The potential for a forest to naturally regenerate is an important factor in its long-term survival. Many variables can determine this regeneration potential, including soil temperature, the existence of microclimates that contribute to ecological facilitation, increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, and changes in nitrogen availability and mineralization of soil organic matter. As the climate changes under global warming, threats to forest health increase, with disturbance events such as forest fires, drought, storms, and flooding occurring at a higher severity, alongside increased heat stress and climatic fluctuations.
As climate change alters the environmental conditions in forest ecosystems, it becomes increasingly important for tree species to colonize novel habitats. For example, treelines in mountain forests must be able to move to higher altitudes, as temperatures become warmer and drive tree establishment in previously treeless landscapes. Such dispersal depends on tree seeds being able to germinate and seedlings to grow successfully. In order to better predict future forest establishment and carbon sequestration potential, it is therefore important to understand how various climate change factors, both individually and in combination, influence seedling establishment and growth. It is also important to consider which species-specific traits can facilitate different rates of establishment under the same climatic conditions.
Broadening our understanding of the processes influencing tree seedling establishment will enable scientists to predict the ways that climate change will impact natural tree regeneration in the future. If we can do this, we have a better chance of developing actions and procedures that aim to safeguard these important ecosystems.
This Research Topic invites contributions that explore the natural regeneration cycle of individual trees and larger tree populations, looking at the early stages of the regeneration cycle and forest establishment, from seed to seedling and sapling. Studies exploring tree seed survival and germination, tree seedling growth and survival rate, and species-specific traits influencing establishment are invited, from across all biomes.
The potential for a forest to naturally regenerate is an important factor in its long-term survival. Many variables can determine this regeneration potential, including soil temperature, the existence of microclimates that contribute to ecological facilitation, increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, and changes in nitrogen availability and mineralization of soil organic matter. As the climate changes under global warming, threats to forest health increase, with disturbance events such as forest fires, drought, storms, and flooding occurring at a higher severity, alongside increased heat stress and climatic fluctuations.
As climate change alters the environmental conditions in forest ecosystems, it becomes increasingly important for tree species to colonize novel habitats. For example, treelines in mountain forests must be able to move to higher altitudes, as temperatures become warmer and drive tree establishment in previously treeless landscapes. Such dispersal depends on tree seeds being able to germinate and seedlings to grow successfully. In order to better predict future forest establishment and carbon sequestration potential, it is therefore important to understand how various climate change factors, both individually and in combination, influence seedling establishment and growth. It is also important to consider which species-specific traits can facilitate different rates of establishment under the same climatic conditions.
Broadening our understanding of the processes influencing tree seedling establishment will enable scientists to predict the ways that climate change will impact natural tree regeneration in the future. If we can do this, we have a better chance of developing actions and procedures that aim to safeguard these important ecosystems.
This Research Topic invites contributions that explore the natural regeneration cycle of individual trees and larger tree populations, looking at the early stages of the regeneration cycle and forest establishment, from seed to seedling and sapling. Studies exploring tree seed survival and germination, tree seedling growth and survival rate, and species-specific traits influencing establishment are invited, from across all biomes.
