Introduction to special issue: floral ecology, genetics, and evolution in an unprecedentedly fast changing world

The study of floral biology has long attracted the attention of plant biologists because of its enormous basic and applied implications, spanning from identification of the ecological and genetic drivers of flowering plant evolution to the performance of crop yields in agricultural systems. In a rapidly changing planet, floral biology studies acquire an utmost importance to comprehend the multiple ecological, economical, and social challenges ahead for humanity. In this special issue, we gathered a collection of papers dealing with various ecological, genetic, and evolutionary aspects of floral biology. This special issue encompasses 12 papers showcasing theoretical and empirical research on plant-pollinator communities, pollinators and pollination modes, floral ecology and genetics at various spatial scales, and the effects of warming-induced abiotic stress on floral biology. Overall, this special issue highlights the importance of long-term spatial and temporal studies, which require a collaborative effort of the research community, and the development of experimental approaches to quantify in detail the effects of human-induced abiotic stress, such as droughts and heatwaves, on plant reproduction.