Tree-Microbe Interactions in Changing and Adverse Environments

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Background

The global environmental conditions have been altered substantially by anthropogenic activities since the industrial revolution, some of which lead to severe restrictions for trees to survive and thrive. Increasing emissions of greenhouse gases (e.g., CO2 and CH4) caused by rapid fossil fuel consumption and land use changes are contributing to ongoing global warming. Associated with this warming trend are expected increases in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events (e.g., prolonged drought, heat wave, flood, and frost), which are likely to threaten the survival of trees. Another by-product of global warming is rising sea levels, which contributes to soil salinization in coastal areas, negatively affecting the growth and development of trees. Other anthropogenic activities, such as the disposal of hazardous wastes, could lead to excessive concentrations of toxic heavy metals (e.g., Cr, Cd, Pb, and Ni) in tree organs, which can interfere with numerous biochemical and physiological processes, thereby affecting tree growth and survival.

Generally, trees have developed various adaptive mechanisms to cope with adverse environments, including changes in morphology, enzymatic activity, organic solute accumulation, photosynthesis, element distribution, and hormone secretion. One of the most effective strategies is to form a mutualistic relationship with microorganisms such as ectomycorrhizal fungi, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, nitrogen-fixing nodule-forming bacteria, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, mineral-solubilizing microorganisms. These microorganisms could enhance the capacity of trees to adapt to adverse environments by regulating morphological characteristics, physiological and biochemical processes, and gene expression. Furthermore, microorganisms could improve the microenvironment for trees by increasing soil aggregation and activating soil nutrients, thereby promoting nutrient uptake of roots. In return, organic materials produced by trees are supplied to microbes to facilitate the completion of their lifecycles. Therefore, mutualistic combinations of trees and microorganisms enable growth and survival of both in adverse environments.

This Research Topic aims to broaden our knowledge of the survival strategies of trees in adverse environments, highlighting the roles of tree-microorganism interactions. Research addressing the mechanisms of trees in combination with microorganisms coping with various adverse environments from a variety of aspects are welcome. We welcome manuscripts that address the topic based on experimental and/or observational studies, meta-analyses, reviews or opinions, and modeling exercises. We invite papers that include but are not limited to:
- Tree-microorganism interactions (focus on changing and adverse environments)
- Physiological mechanisms of trees in adapting to stressful environments (with a focus on microorganism interactions)
- Rhizosphere microenvironments of trees (including changes associated with natural disturbances and with management)
- Community changes of microorganisms associated with trees under harsh environments

Keywords: physiological mechanisms, microbial communities, Rhizosphere microenvironments, Tree-microorganism interaction, Adverse environments

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