Defence‐related traits drive leaf litter decomposition more than growth‐related or size and shape traits in a subtropical climate
D. D. Wang·Zhun Mao·Chaochao Deng·Xiaoyuan Lin·Mingxi Jiang·Feng Liu·Xiaofei Qiao·Qiuxiang Tian·Yaozhan Xu·Qiaotian Shen·Zhongming Wen·Johannes H. C. Cornelissen·Juan Zuo·Wuyang Xie
Abstract Functional traits reflecting leaf structure and functions can show tradeoff or synergetic patterns. How these patterns exert an ‘afterlife’ effect on litter decomposition, or how such an effect is mediated by soil fauna, remains poorly understood. Here, using litter traits reflecting leaf growth, defence, size and shape, we tested a hypothetical framework addressing (i) the relationships between decomposition rate ( k ) and trait patterns (growth versus defence, chemical versus structur