Genetics and Epigenetics Analysis on Forest and Woody Plants in the Era of Climatic Change

Forest and woody plant species face tremendous pressures from biotic and abiotic factors, closely linked to apparent temperature increases. Trees, for example, are long-lived organisms with no means of movement, and their future survival depends on their genetic and epigenetic composition and adaptation. The impact of DNA—the code of life—on the survival of organisms has been well-established for a long time. However, only in the last five years have studies proven that epigenetic modifications, which can arise independently of DNA sequence alterations, are also associated with adaptation, altered gene expression, and transmitted phenotypic variation.

Epigenetics refers to changes that are not linked to alterations in DNA sequences, such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and mRNAs, and it plays a significant role in the future adaptation and sustainability of plants.

Given these considerations, it is essential that studies combining genetic and epigenetic analyses be conducted to gain an in-depth understanding of plant survival in the future. The holistic approach of examining genome and epigenome diversity to accurately predict the adaptation of forests, trees, and woody plants is the primary goal of this current topic.

This Research Topic aims to present review and original research contributions with a focus on:

• Population genetics of forest and woody plant species
• Population epigenetics of forest and woody plant species in relation to adaptation
• Possible scenarios of climate change effects on forest genomes and epigenomes
• Future proposed measures for the protection of genetic and epigenetic diversity of endangered forest and woody species
• Models that can combine climatic, genetic, and epigenetic scenarios for the sustainability of forest and woody plants
• Adaptation and hidden genetic or epigenetic diversity of forest and woody species

Keywords: Epigenetic Adaptation, Forest Genomics, Climate Change Effects, Genetic and Epigenetic Diversity, Population Genetics

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.