Forest Ecosystems and Their Importance in the Face of Climate Change

Editorial

The diverse geomorphology, in combination with the diverse geology (different bedrocks) and pedology (different soils), diverse hydrological basins and hydrographic network and a range of local microclimates (bioclimatic formations) have provided habitats for different forest tree species. Cold adapted species (e.g. beech, spruce, black pine, birch, scotch pine, fir) are generally grown on high mountains or northern Latitudes in Europe. Some of these species (beech, spruce, Scots pine, birch) form the south limits of their distribution in the Balkan Peninsula. Cold resistant bushy species form the tundra zone in the further north Europe (and other continents). Dry resistant and thermophilous species (e.g. Pinus brutia, Pinus halepensis, P. pinea), evergreen broadleaves (e.g. Quercus coccifera, Olea oleaster, Pistacia spp., Philyrea spp.) and thorny bushes are mainly found on the hilly lowlands, on coastal areas and dry sites in the Mediterranean type ecosystems. Based on national and international information as well as on the long research experience on forestry and natural environment, we hope the Journal (Forest and Geoscience) will provide useful information for the forests, forest biodiversity, geology and soils, management of the main forest species and protection and conservation of forest genetic resources. Furthermore, inventory data and new technology and forest research will help scientists and researchers to set research priorities for the different forest ecosystems, in the different regions of the world in order to face climate change problems.