Rising global temperatures have led to an expansion of arid lands and a consequent decline in vegetation cover worldwide. Establishing vegetation in such dry regions has become increasingly challenging. Therefore, it is of great importance to select and plant species capable of surviving under these harsh environmental conditions, particularly those that are resistant to heat and drought stress. One of the most critical factors influencing drought tolerance in plants is their anatomical structure. In this study, the anatomical characteristics of the woody species white-flowered tamarisk or smallflower tamarisk (Tamarix parviflora DC.), which naturally grows in areas where afforestation is difficult due to drought, were examined. Wood samples collected from individuals growing in the Central Anatolia Region were analyzed to reveal the xylem anatomical features. Fiber morphology was identified, and bordered pits in tracheary elements, which play an essential role in preventing water loss, were examined in detail. In this way, the anatomical adaptations of this species to drought stress conditions were evaluated, emphasizing its potential for use in the rehabilitation of arid and barren lands. Furthermore, under the increasingly severe global warming conditions, the mechanisms of water transport and circulation within the stem and leaves of this species were assessed to better understand its efficiency in using limited water resources during afforestation efforts.
AKGÜN et al. (Thu,) studied this question.