Functional Diversity and Its Influencing Factors in a Subtropical Forest Community in China

Functional diversity is considered a key link between ecosystem functions and biodiversity, forms the basis for making community conservation strategies. Here, we chose subtropical forest in China as research object, which unique that other regions of world at same latitude have almost no vegetation cover. We measured 17 functional traits 100 plant species calculated seven different indices, based on richness, evenness, divergence. found most indices significantly differed with habit. There was significant positive correlation among richness indices. However, divergence multidimensional (FDiv), Rao’s quadratic entropy index (RaoQ) were negatively correlated, RaoQ (FDis) uncorrelated. The correlations three types (richness, divergence) different. Lineage regression results generally showed (Average distance (MFAD), volume (FRic) Posteriori group (FGR)) increased (species (S), Shannon-Wiener (H) Pielou (E)). evenness (FEve) decreased (Pielou (E)), but change trends small. All declined altitude, although altitude had weak influence them. Other environmental factors affected community. soil total phosphorus (TP) critical factor convex least effect our These will contribute to understanding forests, provide biodiversity this region.