Abstract: Plant functional traits are the individual characteristics and attributes shown by plants to adapt to environment, which affect the survival, growth, and reproduction of plants, and soil ecological functions as well. Here, we summarized literature on the relationships between plant functional traits and soil organic matter from three aspects. Firstly, we analyzed the classification of plant functional traits and clarified the relationship between plant functional traits and soil fertility. Secondly, we clarified the effects of plant functional traits on soil organic matter accumulation. The direction and magnitude of such effects were influenced by soil nitrogen and phosphorus cycling and soil carbon saturation status. We discussed the relationships between plant functional traits and soil organic matter stability and long-term soil organic matter accumulation. Thirdly, we elucidated the mechanisms of plant functional traits influencing forest soil organic matter by means of leaf litter, fine root decomposition and soil microbial community structure and function. Then, we proposed two key issues of the future research focusing on plant functional traits and soil organic matter: (1) to understand the processes and mechanisms that plant-microbial interactions influence plant functional traits and soil organic matter accumulation via advanced technology and methods; (2) to clarify the ecological processes and mechanisms driving the impacts of plant functional traits on soil organic matter accumulation under the background of global change.

Key words: plant functional trait, soil organic matter, forest ecosystem, leaf litter, root, soil microbial community