Living Landmarks: A Review of Monumental Trees and Their Role in Ecosystems
Monumental trees, defined by their exceptional size, form, and age, are critical components of both cultural heritage and ecological systems. However, their conservation faces increasing threats from habitat fragmentation, climate change, and inadequate public policies. This review synthesized globa...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | Plants |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/13/2075 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850116116259536896 |
|---|---|
| author | Ruben Budău Claudia Simona Cleopatra Timofte Ligia Valentina Mirisan Mariana Bei Lucian Dinca Gabriel Murariu Karoly Alexandru Racz |
| author_facet | Ruben Budău Claudia Simona Cleopatra Timofte Ligia Valentina Mirisan Mariana Bei Lucian Dinca Gabriel Murariu Karoly Alexandru Racz |
| author_sort | Ruben Budău |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Monumental trees, defined by their exceptional size, form, and age, are critical components of both cultural heritage and ecological systems. However, their conservation faces increasing threats from habitat fragmentation, climate change, and inadequate public policies. This review synthesized global research on monumental trees by analyzing 204 peer-reviewed articles published between 1989 and 2024 that were sourced from Web of Science and Scopus. Our bibliometric analysis highlighted <i>Olea europaea</i> and <i>Castanea sativa</i> as the most frequently studied species and identified a surge in publications after 2019, particularly from the USA, Italy, and Spain. Key research themes included conservation, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. The methodological approaches varied globally, encompassing ranking systems; GIS mapping; remote sensing; and non-invasive diagnostic tools, such as acoustic tomography and chlorophyll fluorescence. Conservation strategies discussed included vegetative propagation, cryopreservation, and legal risk management. Despite advances in these techniques, significant gaps remain in effectively addressing environmental pressures and integrating multidisciplinary approaches. We concluded that targeted, interdisciplinary strategies are essential to safeguard monumental trees as vital ecological and cultural landmarks. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0b952b04cade4b6ea63f167a0fe6a4cb |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj-art-0b952b04cade4b6ea63f167a0fe6a4cb2025-08-20T02:36:23ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-07-011413207510.3390/plants14132075Living Landmarks: A Review of Monumental Trees and Their Role in EcosystemsRuben Budău0Claudia Simona Cleopatra Timofte1Ligia Valentina Mirisan2Mariana Bei3Lucian Dinca4Gabriel Murariu5Karoly Alexandru Racz6Department of Silviculture and Forestry Engineering, University of Oradea, 26 General Magheru Boulevard, 410048 Oradea, RomaniaDepartment of Law and Administrative Sciences, University of Oradea, 26 General Magheru Boulevard, 410048 Oradea, RomaniaDepartment of Law and Administrative Sciences, University of Oradea, 26 General Magheru Boulevard, 410048 Oradea, RomaniaFaculty of Environmental Protection, University of Oradea, 26 Gen. Magheru Street, 410048 Oradea, RomaniaNational Institute for Research and Development in Forestry “Marin Dracea”, Eroilor 128, 077190 Voluntari, RomaniaDepartment of Chemistry, Physics and Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Environmental, Dunarea de Jos University Galati, Domneasca Street No. 47, 800008 Galati, RomaniaPhD Student of the Doctoral School of Engineering Sciences, Field of Agriculture, Faculty of Environmental Protection, University of Oradea, 24 Gen. Magheru Street, 410048 Oradea, RomaniaMonumental trees, defined by their exceptional size, form, and age, are critical components of both cultural heritage and ecological systems. However, their conservation faces increasing threats from habitat fragmentation, climate change, and inadequate public policies. This review synthesized global research on monumental trees by analyzing 204 peer-reviewed articles published between 1989 and 2024 that were sourced from Web of Science and Scopus. Our bibliometric analysis highlighted <i>Olea europaea</i> and <i>Castanea sativa</i> as the most frequently studied species and identified a surge in publications after 2019, particularly from the USA, Italy, and Spain. Key research themes included conservation, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. The methodological approaches varied globally, encompassing ranking systems; GIS mapping; remote sensing; and non-invasive diagnostic tools, such as acoustic tomography and chlorophyll fluorescence. Conservation strategies discussed included vegetative propagation, cryopreservation, and legal risk management. Despite advances in these techniques, significant gaps remain in effectively addressing environmental pressures and integrating multidisciplinary approaches. We concluded that targeted, interdisciplinary strategies are essential to safeguard monumental trees as vital ecological and cultural landmarks.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/13/2075bibliometric analysis<i>Olea europaea</i>ecosystem servicesmonumental treeschampion trees |
| spellingShingle | Ruben Budău Claudia Simona Cleopatra Timofte Ligia Valentina Mirisan Mariana Bei Lucian Dinca Gabriel Murariu Karoly Alexandru Racz Living Landmarks: A Review of Monumental Trees and Their Role in Ecosystems Plants bibliometric analysis <i>Olea europaea</i> ecosystem services monumental trees champion trees |
| title | Living Landmarks: A Review of Monumental Trees and Their Role in Ecosystems |
| title_full | Living Landmarks: A Review of Monumental Trees and Their Role in Ecosystems |
| title_fullStr | Living Landmarks: A Review of Monumental Trees and Their Role in Ecosystems |
| title_full_unstemmed | Living Landmarks: A Review of Monumental Trees and Their Role in Ecosystems |
| title_short | Living Landmarks: A Review of Monumental Trees and Their Role in Ecosystems |
| title_sort | living landmarks a review of monumental trees and their role in ecosystems |
| topic | bibliometric analysis <i>Olea europaea</i> ecosystem services monumental trees champion trees |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/13/2075 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT rubenbudau livinglandmarksareviewofmonumentaltreesandtheirroleinecosystems AT claudiasimonacleopatratimofte livinglandmarksareviewofmonumentaltreesandtheirroleinecosystems AT ligiavalentinamirisan livinglandmarksareviewofmonumentaltreesandtheirroleinecosystems AT marianabei livinglandmarksareviewofmonumentaltreesandtheirroleinecosystems AT luciandinca livinglandmarksareviewofmonumentaltreesandtheirroleinecosystems AT gabrielmurariu livinglandmarksareviewofmonumentaltreesandtheirroleinecosystems AT karolyalexandruracz livinglandmarksareviewofmonumentaltreesandtheirroleinecosystems |