About this Research Topic
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
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.