Non-linear response of leaf functional traits to precipitation in alpine grassland, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Leaf functional traits are influenced by both the external environment and their own evolution, thus, study on response of leaf functional traits and processes to environmental stress can address biodiversity and ecosystem functions loss under global change. In this study, the community weighted mean（CWM） values of leaf carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus content（LC, LN and LP） and dry matter mass（LDMC） were collected from 115 observed sites across alpine grasslands on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Furthermore, precipitation, temperature, and soil factors were used to explore the response mechanisms of the leaf functional trait to habitat. The results showed that:（1） precipitation affected（P0.05） on them;（2） soil total nitrogen and soil organic carbon presented significant non-linear correlations with CWM＿LC, CWM＿LN, and CWM＿LP（P