The article by Nathan G. McDowell explores the mechanisms linking drought, hydraulics, carbon metabolism, and vegetation mortality. It highlights the increasing frequency of regional-scale vegetation mortality events associated with rising temperatures, droughts, and biotic agents. The precise physiological mechanisms underlying plant mortality are not well understood, but hypotheses of carbon starvation and hydraulic failure have sparked recent debate. Carbon starvation occurs when carbon supply from photosynthesis and nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) is insufficient to meet metabolic demands, leading to death. Hydraulic failure, or desiccation from failed water transport, also contributes to mortality. The article reviews evidence supporting these mechanisms, including the role of carbohydrate partitioning, the coupling of carbon metabolism and hydraulics, and the impact of water stress on carbohydrate transport and defense mechanisms. It emphasizes the need for further research to understand the tipping points of mortality and the interplay between carbon starvation and hydraulic failure. The author suggests that a comprehensive understanding of these mechanisms is crucial for predicting and managing future climate-related vegetation mortality.The article by Nathan G. McDowell explores the mechanisms linking drought, hydraulics, carbon metabolism, and vegetation mortality. It highlights the increasing frequency of regional-scale vegetation mortality events associated with rising temperatures, droughts, and biotic agents. The precise physiological mechanisms underlying plant mortality are not well understood, but hypotheses of carbon starvation and hydraulic failure have sparked recent debate. Carbon starvation occurs when carbon supply from photosynthesis and nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) is insufficient to meet metabolic demands, leading to death. Hydraulic failure, or desiccation from failed water transport, also contributes to mortality. The article reviews evidence supporting these mechanisms, including the role of carbohydrate partitioning, the coupling of carbon metabolism and hydraulics, and the impact of water stress on carbohydrate transport and defense mechanisms. It emphasizes the need for further research to understand the tipping points of mortality and the interplay between carbon starvation and hydraulic failure. The author suggests that a comprehensive understanding of these mechanisms is crucial for predicting and managing future climate-related vegetation mortality.