Should more individuals be sampled when measuring functional traits of tree species in habitat-heterogeneous karst forests?

When measuring plant functional traits across geomorphologies, 5–10 healthy individuals of a species are commonly sampled. However, whether more should be sampled in habitat-heterogeneous karst vegetation remains unknown. In this study, two dominant tree ( Clausena dunniana and Platycarya strobilacea ) evergreen broadleaved mixed forests Southwestern China were selected. On the basis large quantity grown different peak clumps slope positions, variations 10 morphological statistically analyzed. The suggested sampling number individuals, which could mostly represent common trait characteristics, was further explored. All showed significant differences between p < 0.05). P. displayed larger intraspecific than those C. , except for twig dry matter content. bark thickness (BT), leaf area (LA), specific (SLA) BT, SLA, LA, tissue density, density presented variations. Most exhibited and/or among positions Random analysis indicated that numbers 6–23 9–29 . accepted sample size normal geomorphologies is not sufficiently most cases. Larger sizes recommended traits, such as with Therefore, under sufficient labor, material, time, when vegetation.