Cavitation and Embolism
Distribution networks fail when continuity breaks.
Failure mode for xylem transport. Negative pressure in xylem is extreme (-30 atm = -450 psi). If air enters xylem (via damaged roots, freeze-thaw cycles), water column breaks. Air-filled xylem vessels cease functioning (embolism). Trees tolerate 30-50% xylem embolism before suffering water stress. Recovery mechanisms: Redundancy (1000s of parallel xylem vessels - some fail, others continue), Root pressure (at night, roots actively pump water to refill embolized vessels), New growth (each spring, trees grow new xylem vessels to replace winter-damaged ones).
Business Application of Cavitation and Embolism
Distribution networks fail when continuity breaks. Build redundancy (parallel paths), recovery mechanisms (refill/repair processes), and renewal capacity (ability to replace failed components). Systems can tolerate 30-50% partial failure if properly designed.