Tall Southeast Asian trees show surprising drought resilience, new research finds

New research reveals that giant trees in Southeast Asia have unique adaptations that help them survive drought conditions better than previously understood. The study focused on dipterocarps in Malaysia, which are among the tallest tropical trees in the world. Scientists found that taller trees possess wider xylem vessels, the internal channels responsible for transporting water upward against gravity. These broader vessels allow the trees to draw water more efficiently, giving them greater resilience under dry conditions. The findings offer important new insights into how large trees may cope with the increasing pressures of climate change.