Ecological Responses to Vapor Pressure Deficit, Heat, and Soil Moisture: A Species-Specific Perspective across Climatic Regions

The intensifying global warming scenario leads to a notable increase in atmospheric evaporative demand, presenting novel threats to plant and ecosystems. Thus, it is crucial to comprehend the intricate relationship among temperature, vapor pressure deficit (VPD), and ecosystem processes to effectively address the challenges presented by climate change. Plants have evolved a myriad of strategies to cope with heat, drought, and high VPD. Thus, the impact of these environmental stressors will strongly depend on species-specific adaptations and prevailing environmental conditions.

This study delves into the intricate dynamics of ecological responses to vapor pressure deficit (VPD), heat, and soil moisture, with a focus on species-specific adaptations, and their consequential effects on carbon and water fluxes in diverse climatic regions. By examining dominant plant responses from field studies in semi-arid, temperate, and tropical forests, examples of species-specific adaptations to VPD, heat and drought and the ecological responses across various spatial and temporal scales will be presented. Utilizing field data, the role of soil moisture in modulating the impacts of VPD and heat on carbon and water fluxes will be explored, considering the seasonal dynamics that influence these interactions.

The findings highlight the importance of species-specific adaptations in influencing ecosystem responses to environmental stressors, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of these adaptations across different climatic zones. A comprehensive understanding of the interplay between VPD, heat, soil moisture, and species-specific adaptations will be important for improved ecosystem management and climate change mitigation strategies tailored to specific regions and vegetation types.