Understanding montane wetlands and their functioning is essential for biodiversity conservation and sustainable provision of ecosystem services. Plant functional traits represent species adaptations to specific environments and are considered the key mechanism by which individual species contribute to the functioning and subsequent provision of ecosystem services. This study characterises the Afromontane palustrine wetlands along the altitudinal gradient in Lesotho in terms of plant functional traits and composition. Wetland plant species are classified into functional types (PFTs) using their functional traits. Relationships of plant functional traits and PFTs with environmental factors are also explored. Plant species composition was assessed using the Braun-Blanquet method, while functional traits and environmental factors were assessed using protocols recommended in the literature. The data were analysed using clustering and ordination techniques. Eight PFTs were obtained from the functional classification of the species. The PFTs were dominated by C₃ plants, particularly in high-altitude wetlands. The wetland plant communities in Lesotho exhibited the coexistence of species from different PFTs, highlighting functional differentiation to exploit microhabitat heterogeneity. Both functional traits and functional composition of communities were mainly influenced by altitude, longitude, slope and several edaphic factors. Because montane regions display greater sensitivity to changes in climate, alterations in wetland plant functional traits, PFTs and composition will possibly occur in the face of climate change. These alterations will result in modifications in montane wetland ecosystem functioning that include primary productivity and nutrient cycling, with subsequent changes in the delivery of ecosystem services.

了解山地湿地及其功能对于保护生物多样性和可持续提供生态系统服务至关重要。植物功能性状代表物种对特定环境的适应，被认为是单个物种通过其功能和随后提供生态系统服务的关键机制。这项研究从植物功能性状和组成方面描述了莱索托沿海拔梯度的芦苇草沼泽湿地。湿地植物物种根据其功能性状分类为功能性类型（PFT）。还探讨了植物功能性状和PFTs与环境因素的关系。使用Braun-Blanquet方法评估植物物种组成，同时使用文献中推荐的方案评估功能性状和环境因素。使用聚类和排序技术分析数据。从物种的功能分类中获得了八个PFT。PFT由C主导₃种植物，特别是在高海拔湿地中。莱索托的湿地植物群落表现出不同PFT物种的共存，突出了利用微生境异质性的功能分化。社区的功能性状和功能组成都主要受海拔，经度，坡度和一些地理因素的影响。由于山地地区对气候变化表现出更高的敏感性，因此面对气候变化，湿地植物功能性状，PFT和组成的变化可能会发生。这些变化将导致山地湿地生态系统功能的变化，包括初级生产力和养分循环，以及随后生态系统服务提供的变化。