Abstract To analyse patterns of functional groups (life forms and palatability type) along an 8‐year succession of zokor (Myospalax fontanerii) mounds we conducted an investigation in a meadow on the Qinghai‐Tibetan plateau. Aboveground biomass of each life form showed a significantly different pattern along the successional status: annuals, grasses and sedges showed a linear trend, while forbs showed a non‐linear pattern. Species diversity also showed different patterns for the different life forms, and the order along the successional status was similar to biomass. The pattern of biomass for each palatability type along the successional status varied differently: the extremly palatable, moderately palatable and poisonous species showed a significantly increasing pattern along the successional status, the unpalatable species showed a decreasing pattern, and the highly palatable species showed a non‐linear pattern. Species richness for all palatability types showed a similar pattern, and their number of s...
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