Abstract: Based on the data of functional traits of 55 deciduous trees in 11 sites from temperate zone of the North-South Transect of Eastern China(NSTEC),the relationships among plant functional traits and their responses to meteorological factors were analyzed.The results showed that the relationships among leaf dry mass content(LDMC),leaf dry mass per area(LMA) and ratio of the bark to diameter at height of breast(RBD) were all positive with r=0.367(P<0.001) for the ratio of LMA and LDMC,r=0.363(P<0.001) for the ratio of LMA and RBD,r=0.208(P<0.001) for the ratio of LDMC and RBD respectively.Furthermore,the temperature and rainfall played an important role in determining plant functional traits.The RBD decreased with the increase of mean annual temperature(MAT)(r=-0.194,P=0.043),while the LDMC decreased with the increase of mean temperature in January and July(r=-0.480,P<0.001;r=-0.483,P<0.001 respectively).Both LDMC(r=-0.391,P<0.001) and LMA(r=-0.192,P=0.036) decreased with the increase of mean annual rainfall(MAR).The results indicated that tree species along NSTEC adapted their existing environment through regulating their functional traits.

Key words: Plant functional traits, Plant functional traits, Deciduous trees, Meteorological factors, NSTEC