Molecular Ecology and Evolution in Plants: From Genomes to Ecosystems

Plants, as sessile organisms, are relentlessly shaped by environmental fluctuation, driving the evolution of sophisticated molecular mechanisms that govern adaptation, speciation, and ecological interactions. More than a century has passed since Darwin observed adaptive evolution in the feeding behavior of finches on the Galápagos Islands, and Linus Pauling first proposed the concept of molecular evolution. Today, the rapid breakthroughs in high-throughput sequencing, multi-omics, and computational biology have transformed the field of plant molecular ecology and evolution. These advances have not only made it possible to dissect the genomic architecture of adaptive traits, but also to trace evolutionary trajectories at fine temporal and spatial scales, and to link genetic variations to phenotypic plasticity and ecosystem-level dynamic processes. They can provide unprecedented opportunities to forecast plant responses to global change and to design evidence-based conservation strategies. However, a truly integrative understanding that spans from molecules to ecosystems remains a central challenge.This Research Topic aims to elucidate how molecular and genomic processes scale up to shape the ecological dynamics and evolutionary fates of plant populations and communities. Key questions persist: What is the functional significance of genetic variation, gene expression, or epigenetics in plants’ adaptation? How do molecular networks mediate species interactions and community assembly? Can we integrate population genomic data with landscape and ecosystem ecology to forecast species persistence? By assembling research that harnesses diverse molecular toolkits - ranging from genomics and transcriptomics to epigenetics and metabolomics - we seek to foster a holistic view of plant evolution. This collection will showcase the applications of contemporary molecular biology approaches in plant ecology and evolution, while also establishing frameworks for understanding and managing plant biodiversity under rapid environmental change.This Research Topic will focus on original research and comprehensive reviews that offer insights into the contributions and exploration of molecular biology in plant ecology and evolution. Topics of interest include but are not limited to:· Population and landscape genomics of wild and cultivated plants· Molecular signatures of local adaptation and phenotypic plasticity· Phylogenomics, phylogeography, and the genomic basis of speciation and hybridization· Plant-microbe and plant-animal interactions examined through a molecular lens· Conservation and ecological genomics for biodiversity management· The roles of transposable elements and epigenetic mechanisms in plant evolution· The application of multi-omics bioinformatics in plant ecology and evolution· Plant genomic adaptability or evolutionary dynamics based on QTLs· Using pan-genomics or super-pan-genomics to unravel plant adaptive evolution· Prediction of potential suitable habitats or adaptability assessment based on machine learning, deep learning, or artificial intelligence (AI) Topic editors: Bowei Chen, Shanwen Sun, Shahid Ali, Yunzhu Chen Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83973/molecular-ecology-and-evolution-in-plants-from-genomes-to-ecosystems