Abstract:In order to understand the response of plant leaf functional traits to soil characteristics in karst forest, the woody plant communities in Maolan National Reserve were investigated by using the methods of sample plot and transversal, the weighted average leaf traits of woody plants in different terrain were calculated, and the relationship between leaf functional traits and soil characteristics analyzed by One-Way ANOVA and redundancy. The results showed that there were significant differences in plant leaf functional traits between different terrains at the growth type (evergreen/defoliate) and community level (P<0.05), among which the leaf area was the most sensitive, its response to habitat was obvious. However, leaf thickness of evergreen plants was greater than that of deciduous plants, while specific leaf area was the opposite, and the difference in chlorophyll content is not significant (P>0.05). There were significant difference in soil characteristics among different terrains (P<0.05). The field water capacity, capillary porosity, contents of total nitrogen, total phosphorus and organic matter of soil on funnel terrain were higher, and the soil fertility was the best, followed by valley and shady slope, while the soil on sunny slope was relatively barren. There was a correlation between leaf functional traits and soil characteristics in different terrain, but the interpretation rate of leaf functional traits variation was different in different terrain soil characteristics. The main soil characteristics affecting leaf functional traits were organic matter content, total nitrogen content, total phosphorus content, field water capacity and soil bulk density. Therefore, leaf functional traits and soil characteristics differ greatly in different terrain of Maolan karst forest. With the change of soil characteristics, leaf functional traits have different response characteristics, which is conducive to species coexistence and biodiversity maintenance in forest area.