Epigenetic variation is likely to contribute to the phenotypic plasticity and adaptative
capacity of plant species, and may be especially important for long-lived
organisms with complex life cycles, including forest trees. Diverse environmental
stresses and hybridization/polyploidization events can create reversible heritable
epigenetic marks that can be transmitted to subsequent generations as a
form of molecular “memory”. Epigenetic changes might also contribute to the
ability of plants to colonize or persist in variable environments. In this review,
we provide an overview of recent data on epigenetic mechanisms involved in
developmental processes and responses to environmental cues in plant, with a
focus on forest tree species. We consider the possible role of forest tree epigenetics
as a new source of adaptive traits in plant breeding, biotechnology, and
ecosystem conservation under rapid climate change.This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the authors and published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd. and can be found at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/%28ISSN%292045-7758.Keywords: forest trees, phenotypic plasticity, epigenetic memory of stressful conditions, adaptive response, epigenetics, environmental stres
