Introductory applied bioinformatics

This chapter provides an overview of the elementary and applied aspects of bioinformatics in forestry, a transdisciplinary field of biology, data science, and information technology. Bioinformatics has significantly expanded its scope to address complex biological questions, including those relevant to forestry. The primary goal of bioinformatics is to utilize computational tools to better understand biological processes in nature for better understanding of tree–microbe interactions and ecosystem management in the forest. Advancements in bioinformatics and analytical tools play pivotal roles in analyzing omics data for forest conservation and management. Bioinformatics has been playing increasingly translational roles in forestry, improving our understanding of forest ecosystem and contributing to sustainable management plans. The chapter also discusses potential applications and roles of bioinformatics and artificial intelligence in climate change and sustainable forestry. Potential applications of bioinformatics in various domains of forestry research are provided along with the bioinformatics tools facilitating them. Open questions and future prospects will provide challenges and considerations for bioinformatics in applications in forestry.