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In this study? we examined the variation characteristics of leaf functional traits and the relationships between these traits and environmental factors in Abies georgei var. smithii forest? the dominant community of subalpine dark coniferous forests in southeastern Tibet. The results revealed that the leaf area[(0.57±0.20) cm2]? relative chlorophyll content(64.19±22.69)? volume [(0.029±0.011) cm³], and relative water content(83.76±11.98)% of A. georgei var. smithii were the highest at an altitude of 4 000 m? whereas leaf tissue density[(0.32±0.14) g??cm-3 ] was the lowest at this altitude. Compared with previously reported observations? we recorded lower specific leaf area[(66.81±17.48) cm².g-1] and higher leaf dry matter content[(0.41±0.05) g.g-¹] values for A. georgei var. smithii growing on Sejila mountain. Furthermore? we detected broad correlations among leaf traits? with more than half of the assessed relationships reaching a level of very high significance(P < 0.01). Soil physical and chemical properties were found to explain most of the observed variation in leaf functional traits(14.46%), whereas topographic factors such as altitude and slope appeared to have relatively little influence. Our findings indicate that A. georgei var. smithii trees growing on Sejila mountain adapt to changes in the external environment via a coordinated interaction of several functional characters? and compete for sunlight? water? and other resources in an alpine environment? thereby incorporating and conserving soil organic matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]