Journal Title: Forests

Special Issue Title: Invasive Ecology and Forest Ecosystems: Process, Mechanisms and Aftereffects

Keywords: biological invasion; forest ecosystems; invasion resistance; global change; biodiversity

Submission Deadline: 30 April 2025

Webpage: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/forests/special_issues/717MH061OM

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Xiao Guo

Affiliation: Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China

Interests: biological invasion; functional traits; interspecific competition; invasive plants; clonal plants

Homepage: https://ylxy.qau.edu.cn/content/dsjs/e15d7767e8734b58be8aabfef99a961b

Email: guoxiao018@163.com; xiaoguoyeah@yeah.net

Prof. Dr. Congyan Wang

Affiliation: Institute of Environment and Ecology & School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, No. 301, Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, P. R. China

Interests: invasion ecology; plant invasion

Homepage: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6132-3319

Email: liuyuexue623@ujs.edu.cn; liuyuexue623@163.com

Dr. Yi Wang

Affiliation: Centre for Invasion Biology, Institute of Biodiversity, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650504, China

Interests: invasive plants; chemical ecology; interactions between plants and insects; heavy metals; environment pollutions; invasion mechanisms; biological control

Homepage: https://www.ynu.edu.cn/yndxswdyx/info/1022/1060.htm

Email: yiwang@ynu.edu.cn

Special Issue Information:

Biological invasions represent a critical aspect of global change. They threaten local biodiversity, transform the structure and function of ecosystems, lead to significant economic losses, and potentially compromise human health. In recent decades, research on biological invasions has made significant progress, providing humanity with a more profound understanding of the mechanisms underlying these invasions. Consequently, various methods and strategies for the management and control of alien invasive species have been proposed. Despite these advancements, accurately predicting the occurrence of biological invasions and completely eliminating these invasive species remain challenging. Currently, research on biological invasions predominantly centers on wetlands, agricultural and urban ecosystems, with comparatively less focus placed on forest ecosystems. This Special Issue aims to promote research into biological invasions within forest ecosystems. The scope of this Special Issue includes, but is not limited to, the following topics: patterns, mechanisms, processes, and impacts of biological invasions in forest ecosystems; population dynamics of invasive species in forest ecosystems; control strategies for invasive species within forest ecosystems; the effects of environmental changes (including disturbances) on biological invasions in forest ecosystems; the resilience of forest ecosystems and native biota to invasive species; the roles of microbial diversity and plant–soil feedback in the process of biological invasion into forest ecosystems; the influence of forest successional stages on biological invasion into forest ecosystems; reasons why certain alien species are unable to invade forest ecosystems; biological invasions occurring around forests, such as those in forest–grassland ecotones, and their mechanisms; and biological invasions occurring in urban forests and their mechanisms. This Special Issue welcomes the submission of research articles and review articles.