Data from: The functional diversity–productivity relationship of woody plants is climatically sensitive

<p><span>Plot-scale experiments show that functional diversity (FD) plays a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem functions such as net primary productivity (NPP). However, how FD affects NPP across larger scales under varying climatic conditions is sparsely studied, yet is important for forest–atmosphere interactions and policy development. </span></p> <p><span>Hence, we assess the effects of functional dispersion (FDis) and community-weighted means (CWMs) of woody plant traits on NPP across China and if such effects are modulated by climatic conditions at large scale. Using comprehensive datasets on distribution, functional traits and productivity for 9120 Chinese woody plant species, we evaluated the distribution pattern and the relationships of FDis and CWM (including three orthogonal trait indicators: plant size, photosynthetic capacity and flower duration) with NPP through multiple linear regression models. Structural equation models were used to test the effects of climatic conditions on FDis/CWM–NPP relationships.</span></p> <p><span>We found both general FD effects, but also that the magnitude of these could be modified by climate, with CWM and FDis of plant size especially promoting NPP in warm and wet regions, respectively. Climate indirectly increased NPP through positive effects on CWM or FDis, notably via mean photosynthetic capacity.</span></p> <p><span>This study provides the first comprehensive evidence for FD effects on NPP under varying climates at large scale. Importantly, our results suggest a general increase in the importance of plant traits for woody vegetation NPP with rising temperatures and wetter climates. Restoration and reforestation actions need to carefully consider not just CWMs and FDis, but, as an additional path, also their interactions with climate, to predict how FD may promote ecosystem functioning under future climatic conditions.</span></p>