Giant trees have no trouble pumping water to top branches: new research

11 hours ago

New research reveals that the world's tallest tropical trees, specifically Dipterocarp species, have no trouble pumping water to their topmost branches despite conventional scientific theory suggesting height limits water transport.
Adjustments inside giant Dipterocarp trees, such as wider water-carrying vessels near the ground and leaves adapted to withstand water stress, fully compensate for height-related challenges, maintaining hydraulic efficiency.
The study finds that height does not make these trees more vulnerable to drought compared to shorter trees, with no height-related loss in growth observed during a severe drought.
The findings challenge the widely accepted theory that vessel length and gravity limit water transport and growth in tall trees, indicating their hydraulic systems are perfectly evolved for their height.
Understanding tall trees is vital as the tallest 1% store more than half of above-ground carbon in forests, and the study suggests existing climate-change models may overestimate drought risk for these trees.
The research was conducted on Dipterocarp trees in Malaysian Borneo, ranging from 7 to 71 meters tall, and included measurements during the 2023-2024 El Niño drought, with implications for forest conservation under climate change.

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