Understanding the physiological impacts of climate change on arid lands species is a critical step towards ensuring the resilience and persistence of such species under changing temperature and moisture regimes. Varying degrees of vulnerability among different species will largely determine their future distributions in the face of climate change. Studies have indicated that Northern Mexico and the Southwestern United States are likely to become climate change hotspots, experiencing significantly drier and warmer average conditions by the end of the 21st century. However, relatively few studies have examined specifically the physiological effects of climate change on species inhabiting this region. This manuscript provides a synthesis of peer-reviewed papers related to the physiological stress of climate change on species and/or species groups present within the Desert Landscape Conservation Cooperative (Desert LCC) study area. The information presented in this review will serve to inform researchers, land managers, conservationists, and others who wish to play a role in preserving the rich biodiversity of our desert ecosystems.
