The study evaluates the response of global land biomes to drought by correlating a drought index with three indicators of vegetation activity and growth: satellite-derived vegetation indices, tree-ring growth series, and Aboveground Net Primary Production (ANPP) records. The research finds that both arid and humid biomes are affected by drought, but the persistence of water deficits (i.e., drought time-scale) plays a key role in determining their sensitivity. Arid biomes respond to drought at short time-scales, with rapid vegetation reactions as soon as water deficits occur, likely due to the rapid adaptation mechanisms of plant species in these regions. In contrast, humid biomes also respond at short time-scales, but the physiological mechanisms differ, as plants in these regions have poor adaptability to water shortages. Semiarid and subhumid biomes respond to drought at longer time-scales, as they can withstand water deficits but lack the rapid response seen in arid biomes. These findings are consistent across different vegetation parameters and biomes, highlighting that the response to drought depends on characteristic drought time-scales for each biome. Understanding these time-scales is crucial for assessing vegetation resistance and resilience to climate change.The study evaluates the response of global land biomes to drought by correlating a drought index with three indicators of vegetation activity and growth: satellite-derived vegetation indices, tree-ring growth series, and Aboveground Net Primary Production (ANPP) records. The research finds that both arid and humid biomes are affected by drought, but the persistence of water deficits (i.e., drought time-scale) plays a key role in determining their sensitivity. Arid biomes respond to drought at short time-scales, with rapid vegetation reactions as soon as water deficits occur, likely due to the rapid adaptation mechanisms of plant species in these regions. In contrast, humid biomes also respond at short time-scales, but the physiological mechanisms differ, as plants in these regions have poor adaptability to water shortages. Semiarid and subhumid biomes respond to drought at longer time-scales, as they can withstand water deficits but lack the rapid response seen in arid biomes. These findings are consistent across different vegetation parameters and biomes, highlighting that the response to drought depends on characteristic drought time-scales for each biome. Understanding these time-scales is crucial for assessing vegetation resistance and resilience to climate change.