Strategy Trade-Off of Predominant Stress Tolerance Relative to Competition and Reproduction Associated with Plant Functional Traits under Karst Forests

The Grime (1974) CSR framework posits that ecological strategies of competition, stress tolerance and ruderal reflect plants’ adaptability to their survival environments. Karst forests are crucial for terrestrial ecosystem functions. However, how karst regulate plant functional traits in strategy adapt infertile habitats remains unclear. Therefore, we surveyed fifty-three forest plots measured involving the plan diameter at breast height (DBH), height, leaf area (LA), specific (SLA), dry matter content (LDMC), carbon (LC) nitrogen (LN) phosphorus (LP) with water (LWC). We calculated components on individual community levels introduced by community-weighted means (CWM) using ‘StrateFy’ calculator. Principal component analysis (PCA) Mantel’s test were used investigate trait correlations components. Our results showed (S) contributed an average 65.88% 63.63% individuals communities, respectively, followed competition (C) 25.82% 29.63%, least, (R), 8.30% 6.74%. Different exhibited different variations, coupled significant between PC1 scores (except CWM− LA, SLA LDMC). Component S increased increase LC C:N ratio, decreased DBH, Height, LWC, LN, N:P while it was opposite C R, highlighting strategic trade-offs associated traits. revealed varied key combinations each strategy. In conclusion, predominant relative is a result regulating forests, association disentangled provide insights into theoretically understanding maintenance ecosystems as evolutional regulation mechanism.