Hydraulic failure under drought
nounPronunciation: /haɪˈdrɔːlɪk ˈfeɪljər ʌndər ˈdraʊt/
The loss of water transport capacity in plant vascular tissues caused by air embolism formation in xylem vessels during severe water stress, preventing water movement from roots to shoots. This threshold-dependent process leads to catastrophic wilting and plant death.
Plain English
Air bubbles form in plant water-transport tubes during extreme drought, blocking water flow and causing plant death.
Etymology & History
Usage
"Hydraulic failure under drought is a critical threshold determining mortality rates in forest ecosystems during megadroughts."
Style guide notes: Use 'hydraulic failure' as primary term; 'embolism' describes the physical mechanism; use 'drought' to specify stress type.
Also known as
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Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes air bubbles to form in xylem vessels?
Negative pressure from water stress exceeds the air-water interface tension, allowing air to enter xylem vessels.
Can plants recover from hydraulic failure?
Recovery requires vessel refilling through root pressure or metabolic energy in spring, but complete recovery is limited.
Why Test Candidates on This?
Highly relevant for predicting plant survival during climate extremes and modeling forest ecosystem responses to prolonged droughts.
Required skill level: Senior