Tropentag, September 16 - 18, 2026, Göttingen "Towards multi-functional agro-ecosystems promoting climate-resilient futures"

Drought tolerance of dominant tree species in mixed deciduous forests of Myanmar

¹University of Göttingen, Burckhardt-Inst., Tropical Silviculture and Forest Ecology, Germany
²Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Burckhardt-Inst., Tropical Silviculture and Forest Ecology, Germany

Abstract

Mixed deciduous forests are the most dominant forest type in Myanmar, with 38.2 % of the total national forested area, representing a substantial proportion of the global teak forest distribution. Despite their importance in providing forest products and ecological services, Myanmar has consistently been listed among the top 10 countries for global annual net forest loss due to agricultural expansion and excessive logging. This has led to frequent occurrences of droughts, forest fires and carbon emissions, finally accelerating climate change. Additionally, climate change projections indicate mean temperatures will increase by 1–4°C by the end of the 21^st century, which is also expected to intensify drought stress. Consequently, restoring these mixed deciduous forests is critically important. At this point, the selection of drought-adapted tree species is crucial for the effective restoration of mixed deciduous forests, as well as supporting the broader ecological goals. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the drought tolerance of dominant tree species in mixed deciduous forests to identify site-matching tree species for forest restoration. Vegetation surveys were carried out in 1-hectare (25 plots of 20m × 20m) in each type of mixed deciduous forests: moist upper mixed deciduous forest, dry upper mixed deciduous forest and lower mixed deciduous forest. Diameter at breast height, total height and species were recorded. Also, sapwood samples of 20 dominant tree species were collected from each forest type. To assess drought tolerance and water use efficiency of dominant tree species, osmotic potential, stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) of sapwood samples were analysed across species using the freezing point depression (cryoscopy) method and mass spectrometry. The results showed that Gmelina arborea, Millettia pendula, Terminalia tomentosa, Terminalia chebula and Adina cordifolia exhibited relatively high drought tolerance and water use efficiency. These species can be proposed as potential drought tolerant tree species for forest restoration activities in mixed deciduous forests of Myanmar, contributing to broader ecological restoration goals at both regional and global levels.

Keywords: Drought tolerance, mixed deciduous forests, osmotic potential, restoration, δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N

Contact Address: Aung Myint Myat, University of Göttingen, Burckhardt-Inst., Tropical Silviculture and Forest Ecology, Theodor-Heuss-Straße 11 room 403, 37075 Goettingen, Germany, e-mail: aung.myintmyatstud.uni-goettingen.de