Uncovering plant adaptation mechanisms for effective ecological restoration

Ecological restoration of degraded vegetation is a pressing issue, as ecological degradation threatens global biodiversity and the ecosystem services on which we depend. Plants are at the core of ecosystem recovery due to their resilience and ability to adapt to a variety of environmental stresses, including drought, salinity, heavy metals, and nutrient deficiencies. The latest studies in plant physiology, functional traits, molecular biology, and ecological genomics have shed light on vital pathways such as phenotypic plasticity, genetic adaptation, and symbiotic relationships with soil microbiota. Despite these advancements, many of these adaptive mechanisms remain underexplored, which is crucial for optimizing effective restoration practices and bolstering plant resilience in disturbed ecosystems.

This Research Topic aims to explore the fundamental and applied aspects of plant adaptation mechanisms, focusing on how they can inform sustainable restoration approaches across various degraded habitats. The primary goal is to synthesize existing knowledge on the adaptive strategies that facilitate ecological restoration in degraded landscapes. Although there is significant research on plant stress responses, the integration of physiological, genetic, and ecological perspectives is necessary and currently fragmented. We encourage submissions that delve into how plants thrive in adverse environments, the genetic and epigenetic underpinnings of survival in degraded soils, and the ecological interactions that bolster restoration success.

To gather further insights into plant adaptation and ecological restoration, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

o Mechanistic insights such as plant water/nutrient acquisition and use strategies in fragile ecosystems.

o Genetic and epigenetic adaptations for long-term survival.

o Ecological interactions such as plant-soil-microbe networks.

o Biotechnological and bioengineering approaches for restoration projects.

o Use of emerging tools like omics, remote sensing, and machine learning for monitoring restoration efficacy.

We invite submissions of Research Articles, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, Perspectives, and Methodologies that align with Frontiers in Plant Science guidelines and emphasize mechanistic or applied insights. Interdisciplinary studies connecting fundamental science with practical restoration strategies are particularly encouraged.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Plant adaptation, Vegetation restoration, Fragile ecosystem, Functional traits, Environmental stress

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.