Functionally diverse stands promote leaf litter decomposition irrespective of litter species’ resource acquisition strategy

Stand functional diversity (RaoQ) and stand functional composition in terms of the functional traits of the component species (CWM trait) are critical for ecosystem processes and functioning, such as litter decomposition and associated nutrient cycling. Litter decomposition rates could differ among stands varying in functional diversity and composition because of interspecific variation of resource economic traits in litter quality, as well as differences in microenvironmental conditions. However, whether and how functionally diverse stands with different microenvironmental conditions change the litter decomposition rates among functionally contrasting species is poorly understood. We tested our hypotheses through a litter decomposition study in a tree diversity experiment in subtropical China. We quantified the leaf litter mass losses for acquisitive, intermediate, and conservative species and measured microclimates across 30 stands that represent a range of tree functional divers..., , # Data from: Functionally diverse stands promote leaf litter decomposition irrespective of litter species’ resource acquisition strategy

Dataset DOI: [10.5061/dryad.8931zcs56](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.8931zcs56)

#### Description: This is the leaf litter decomposition data derived from Yang et al. (2026, *Functional Ecology*).

### Files and variables

#### Files and variables

##### File: Data_decomposition.csv

**Abbreviations used in this dataset:**

LiFo: *Liquidambar formosana*

CyGl: *Cyclobalanopsis glauca*

MaTh: *Machilus thunbergii*

RaoQ: Rao’s quadratic entropy index

CWM: Community-weighted mean

**Variables**

Block, block number

Composition, plot species composition

Species, species classification (LiFo, CyGl, MaTh)

SFP, species functional strategy

PC1, litter species' PC1

Time, decomposition time

SR:stand species richness, log2-transformed

RaoQ:stand functional diversity, RaoQ, ln(x+1)-transformed

CWMPC1, stand functional composition, CWMs of integrate trai...,