Tree rings: decoding forest carbon-climate nexus

Abstract Forests play a critical role in mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon, yet their responses to environmental shifts remain complex and multifaceted. This special issue, “ Tree Rings , Forest Carbon Sink , and Climate Change ,” compiles 41 interdisciplinary studies exploring forest-climate interactions through dendrochronological and ecological approaches. It addresses climate reconstruction(e.g., temperature, precipitation, isotopes) using tree-ring proxies, species-specific and age-dependent growth responses to warming and drought, anatomical adaptations, and methodological innovations in isotope analysis and multi-proxy integration. Key findings reveal ENSO/AMO modulation of historical climates, elevation- and latitude-driven variability in tree resilience, contrasting carbon dynamics under stress, and projected habitat shifts for vulnerable species. The issue underscores forests’ dual role as climate archives and carbon regulators, offering insights for adaptive management and nature-based climate solutions. Contributions bridge micro-scale physiological processes to macro-scale ecological modeling, advancing sustainable strategies amid global environmental challenges.