Forestry science in new era: [4] Tree breeding must adapt to climate change

Considering the realities of Ca Mau’s unique forest areas, the question is not simply about which tree varieties yield more, but about how forestry science can help forests adapt to climate change. VAN News recently had an interview with Dr. Kieu Tuan Dat, Director of the Forest Science Institute of South Viet Nam (FSISV), discussing the path from tree breeding to ecosystem restoration and sustainable livelihood development.

Each ecological zone needs suitable tree varieties

Sir, what kind of forest and forestry land system does the FSIS develop to conduct research and field trials on tree varieties and silvicultural solutions suited to different ecological zones?

The Institute currently manages and uses approximately 1,600 hectares of forest and forestry land across various ecological subregions in Southeast Viet Nam and the Mekong Delta for research, field trials, and technology transfer. The system spans a wide range of ecological conditions, from the mangrove forests and acid sulfate soils of Ca Mau to areas in Southeast Viet Nam, including Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai, as well as the dry coastal sandy soils of Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan.

The important point is that a tree variety that performs well in one location may not necessarily be suitable for another. Therefore, having experimental sites across different ecological zones allows the Institute to assess each variety's adaptability more accurately before introducing it into production.

What are some of the Institute's most notable achievements in forestry tree breeding and variety development in recent years?

The Institute conducts tree-breeding research for production, protection, and special-use forests. Many have been recognized nationally as new varieties or approved as technical advances.

Notably, for the first time, 10 native large-timber tree varieties, including Ailanthus triphysa and Terminalia chebula, have been recognized for large-timber forest development. In the dry coastal sandy areas of the South Central Coast, the Institute has also selected 10 Chom varieties with good adaptability that can provide both timber and resin.

In 2025, 12 new forestry tree varieties were recognized in the Mekong Delta alone, including three Acacia auriculiformis varieties for large-timber forests and nine high-yield Melaleuca alternifolia varieties. This creates significant potential for developing timber supply areas and improving the economic efficiency of plantation forests.

So, what is your opinion on tree breeding, as it is no longer simply about improving productivity in the context of climate change?

Productivity remains important, but it is no longer the only criterion. In the context of climate change, varieties must be adapted to local site conditions, resilient to environmental stresses, and suited to the functions of each forest type.

The Mekong Delta has highly specific ecosystems, including acid sulfate soils, peatlands, flooded forests, and mangroves. Therefore, varieties must be tested under these conditions before being widely deployed.

The ultimate goal is not simply to create more productive forests, but also to improve forest quality, support ecosystem restoration, protect soil and water resources, and strengthen resilience to climate change.

Tree breeding is a long journey

Dear sir, what are the biggest challenges in testing tree varieties in the wetlands, acid sulfate soils, and peatlands of southern Viet Nam?

The biggest challenge is the highly specific site conditions in the Mekong Delta. On acid sulfate soils, experimental plots must be established without disturbing the acid-generating layer, which could affect the soil, water resources, and surrounding aquaculture activities.

In mangrove forests, young trees can be damaged by crabs and fiddler crabs, while acid sulfate soils are affected by stem borers, rats, and other rodents. Weak soils also increase the risk of trees being uprooted during heavy rain and strong winds.

These factors demonstrate why local field trials and tree breeding are essential steps before varieties can be widely deployed.

After a variety is officially recognized, how can research results quickly reach businesses, forest owners, and farmers for commercial production?

After recognition, all varieties undergo pilot production, propagation, and transfer through the forestry extension system. The Institute has currently established nearly 170 hectares of certified seed production forests and seed orchards. Genetic resources are strictly managed and preserved through tissue culture, seed production forests, and both sexual and vegetative seed orchards.

However, technology transfer is not simply about delivering seedlings to forest growers. Improved varieties must be accompanied by intensive plantation techniques, sustainable forest management, and solutions tailored to specific ecological conditions.

The Institute is also strengthening cooperation with businesses on forest carbon sequestration, ecosystem restoration, water resource protection, and livelihood improvement models.

How is digital transformation being applied to the management of forestry genetic resources, sir?

More and more information on genetic resources is being digitized. Each variety has data on its origin, provenance, breeding history, and original genetic material recorded and stored. By combining digitalization with tissue culture, seed production forests, and seed orchards, we can improve quality management, conserve genetic resources, and proactively maintain planting materials for long-term production. In the future, digital transformation will become even more important in genetic resource management, growth monitoring, and evaluation of experimental forest models.

Forest protection must be linked to livelihoods

During the recent survey in Ca Mau, why did the Institute pay particular attention to mangrove forests and integrated forestry-aquaculture models?

We did not want to assess only varieties or models that had already been transferred. We also wanted to examine the practical problems facing forest owners and local residents.

Coastal mangrove forests play an especially important role in the context of climate change. Therefore, the Institute is focusing on assessing degraded areas, researching restoration solutions, and improving their protective functions.

Integrated forestry-aquaculture models are also particularly important because they create a direct link between livelihoods and forest protection. When people have stable incomes from aquaculture beneath the forest canopy, they are more motivated to remain committed to the forest.

However, the ratio of forest area to water surface area used for aquaculture must be carefully calculated. If forest density is too high without appropriate silvicultural measures, production beneath the canopy will be affected.

In addition, many households living in the forest still face difficulties with infrastructure and living conditions. Therefore, alongside technical solutions, livelihood support mechanisms and infrastructure investment are needed so that people can feel secure in protecting the forest.

You have a strong emphasis on the "four-way partnership," so why is this a crucial factor to bring science into practice?

Sustainable forestry development cannot depend on a single stakeholder. Scientists can develop new varieties and technologies, but without appropriate policies, investment resources, business participation, and community adoption, it is very difficult to scale them up.

Conversely, businesses and local communities provide feedback on practical problems, allowing scientists to continue refining and improving their solutions.

Partnerships among government agencies, scientists, businesses, and local communities help shorten the distance between research and production while mobilizing additional resources for technology transfer.

In your view, what is the most important factor in building a green, modern, and sustainable forestry sector in southern Vietnam?

We must balance three factors: economic, social, and environmental.

In the Mekong Delta, forests are not only meant to provide raw materials or increase productivity. They must also protect soil and water resources, provide coastal protection, help communities adapt to climate change, and sustain local livelihoods.

Therefore, we need to continue investing in tree breeding, technology, and the restoration of degraded ecosystems, develop suitable agroforestry-aquaculture models, and improve the living conditions of communities whose livelihoods depend on forests.

Science must go hand in hand with production, conservation must be linked to livelihoods, and people's interests must be incorporated into long-term forest development strategies.

When these goals are achieved, forestry can truly become green, efficient, and sustainable.

Thank you, sir!