Comparative anatomy vs mechanistic understanding: how to interpret the diameter-vulnerability link

What is it about?

There is a pervasive and longstanding assumption that wider diameter vessels are more vulnerable to drought-induced embolism than narrower vessels. In our review, we argue that this diameter-vulnerability link is often interpreted in a too simplified way, without appreciating the complex mechanisms involved in drought-induced embolism formation. This overemphasises the role of vessel diameter in the debate on plants's drought responses, and has the risk to erroneously use the link to invoke causation. We offer a more balanced framework and guide the reader how to interpret the diameter-vulnerability link.

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