Climate change scenarios project that several regions, especially in dryland areas of sub-Saharan Africa, will undergo increasing aridity and, subsequently, expanding land degradation. The study aims to investigate the effect of two drying treatments on establishing and growing Hashab (Acacia senegal) and Boabab (Adansonia digitata) in nursery conditions. Through a 2×2 factorial experiment, seedlings grown in a mixture of silt and sand soil (2:3) were treated by irrigation intervals of one or two liters every three days for 14 weeks to simulate rainfall fluctuation patterns. Seedling germination rate, leaf number, stem height, and diameter were measured weekly; taproot length, shoot, and root dry weights were also assessed. The results showed that neither drying treatment significantly affected A. senegal and A. digitata seedling growth parameters. However, an interaction effect was found in the height and diameter for A. senegal and shoot dry weight for A. digitata. The study concluded that A. senegal and A. digitata seem tolerant to drying treatment. Therefore, the two species are recommended for afforestation programs in areas with relatively harsher conditions. Also, exposing the seedlings of these studied species to similar, extended periods of simulated drought (e.g., 6 – 12 months) is recommended for future studies.

Climate change may substantially alter the environmental suitability of dryland tree species, with important implications for conservation and restoration. We modelled the current and future potential environmental suitability of Vachellia seyal (Delile) P.J.H.Hurter across Sudan using MaxEnt, based on 448 spatially thinned occurrence records and nine climatic, topographic, and edaphic predictors. Future suitability was projected using the ensemble mean of three CMIP6 global climate models under SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 for 2021–2040 and 2081–2100. Model discrimination was high (mean test AUC = 0.944; TSS = 0.838 ± 0.02). Isothermality (BIO3; 37.6% contribution), precipitation of the warmest quarter (BIO18; 24.7%), and precipitation seasonality (BIO15; 14.2%) were the principal predictors. Under baseline conditions, 380,890.63 km² (20.22% of Sudan) was classified as environmentally suitable. Under SSP2-4.5, projected suitable area decreased to 177,240.19 km² (9.41%) in 2021–2040 and reached 255,482.20 km² (13.56%) in 2081–2100, remaining below the baseline extent. Under SSP5-8.5, projected suitable area was 350,775.69 km² (18.62%) in 2021–2040 and 306,923.26 km² (16.29%) in 2081–2100. Blue Nile, Gedaref, Sennar, and parts of Kordofan retained comparatively extensive potential suitability, whereas northern Sudan remained predominantly unsuitable. These projections represent potential environmental suitability rather than realized future occupancy and should be interpreted in light of sampling, dispersal, land-use, and climate-model uncertainties. The results provide a spatial basis for prioritizing climate-informed monitoring, conservation, and restoration planning for V. seyal in Sudan.