The roles of conduit redundancy and connectivity in xylem hydraulic functions

Wood anatomical traits shape a xylem segment’s hydraulic efficiency and resistance to embolism spread due declining water potential. It has been known for decades that variations in conduit connectivity play role altering hydraulics. However, evaluating the precise effect of elusive. The objective here is establish an analytical linkage between grouping tissue-scale hypothesized increase brings improved increased pathway redundancy. could also reduce speed with respect pressure. We elaborate on this trade-off using graph theory, percolation theory computational modeling xylem. results are validated measurements Acer branch Considering only species vessels, increases improve without negatively affecting conductivity. often measured index fails capture totality Variations network characteristics, such as connectivity, might explain why trends among woody species, ‘safety-efficiency’ hypothesis, weaker than expected.