Altitudinal distribution of high mountain forest species in Mexico

• High mountain forests in Mexico are facing the effects of climate change, characterized by rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns. In five of these forests, 4,282 sampling sites were established along an altitudinal transect (3500-4100 m), where 17 tree associations and six populations were identified. Additionally, a climate analysis was conducted, revealing a temperature increase trend of up to 4.8°C between 1958 and 2023. These changes have led to an altitudinal shift in the distribution of forest species such as Pinus hartwegii and Abies religiosa, altering community composition, as P. hartwegii populations are expected to decrease, giving way to new forest communities. Therefore, it is crucial to redesign management and conservation strategies for these ecosystems through interdisciplinary programs that consider both current conditions and future projections. High mountain forests in Mexico are facing the effects of climate change, characterized by rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns. In five of these forests, 4,282 sampling sites were established along an altitudinal transect (3500-4100 m), where 17 tree associations and six populations were identified. Additionally, a climate analysis was conducted, revealing a temperature increase trend of up to 4.8°C between 1958 and 2023. These changes have led to an altitudinal shift in the distribution of forest species such as Pinus hartwegii and Abies religiosa , altering community composition, as P. hartwegii populations are expected to decrease, giving way to new forest communities. Therefore, it is crucial to redesign management and conservation strategies for these ecosystems through interdisciplinary programs that consider both current conditions and future projections. Los bosques de alta montaña en México enfrentan los efectos del cambio climático, caracterizado por un aumento en las temperaturas y alteraciones en los patrones de precipitación. En cinco de estos bosques, se establecieron 4,282 sitios de muestreo a lo largo de transectos altitudinales (3500-4100 m), donde se identificaron 17 asociaciones arbóreas y 6 poblaciones. Además, se realizó un análisis climático que revela una tendencia al aumento de la temperatura de hasta 4.8°C en el período de 1958-2023. Estos cambios han provocado un ascenso altitudinal en la distribución de especies forestales como Pinus hartwegii y Abies religiosa , además de alterar la composición de las comunidades, ya que las poblaciones de P. hartwegii disminuirán, dando paso a nuevas comunidades forestales. Por lo tanto, es fundamental rediseñar las estrategias de manejo y conservación de estos ecosistemas mediante programas interdisciplinarios que consideren tanto las condiciones actuales como las proyecciones futuras.