Response of Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur L.) to Adverse Environmental and Weather Conditions in Genetic and Dendrochronological Studies

Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) is widely distributed in Europe and plays a critical ecological role. Studying how it responds to stressors such as drought, extreme temperatures, pests and phytopathogen helps reveal the species' capacity to adapt to climate change. Genetic and dendrochronological data (tree-ring analysis) provide insights into historical resilience, a historical record of how trees have responded to past environmental stressors, revealing which traits and genetic variants are linked to climate adaptation and how they may contribute to future resilience in changing environments. By examining the width, density, and dynamics of tree rings in Q. robur, researchers can correlate periods of growth suppression or enhanced growth with specific environmental conditions. This information helps predict how forests might respond to future climatic events and supports conservation and management strategies. By identifying genetic markers associated with stress tolerance, forest managers can prioritize the conservation of populations with higher adaptive potential. This is particularly important as Q. robur is an economically and ecologically valuable species. One of the main objectives of the review to summarize also publications on Q. robur genetic diversity and adaptive traits that can guide reforestation efforts and help develop climate-resilient oak populations. The review is focused on genetic and dendrochronological studies that offer complementary perspectives on tree response mechanisms. Genetic studies reveal adaptive genetic diversity and inheritance patterns, while dendrochronology provides a phenotypic record of responses over time. Combining these fields creates a holistic understanding of how Q. robur responds to stress, useful for fields ranging from ecology to forest genetics. Hopefully, this review helps understand Q. robur's resilience mechanisms, support adaptive management practices, and enable sustainable forest planning in the face of environmental challenges.