Comparing environmental vulnerability in the montane cloud forest of eastern Mexico: A vulnerability index

摘要: Abstract The montane cloud forest (MCF) is one of the most threatened ecosystems, in spite its high strategic value for sustainable development, role it plays hydrological cycle maintenance, and as reservoir endemic biodiversity. For Mexico, this considered terrestrial ecosystem at national level because land-use changes effects global climate change. To compare assess environmental vulnerability MCF we measured two physiological traits (stomatal conductance leaf water potential), four variables (air temperature, photosynthetically active radiation, vapor pressure deficit, availability) potential geographic distribution eleven tree species from forest. We evaluated stomatal responses using envelope function method (EFM), after analyzing these developed a index that allowed us to among species. proposed EFM useful tool regional by comparing Our results showed differential all studied variables; however, conclude vulnerable was Liquidambar styraciflua , least Persea longipes . also found temperatures above 34 °C, deficit 2.9 kPa with relative humidity below 30% jeopardized performance influential variable over followed showing even determinant factor species’ development.