Abstract: We reviewed the research progress on ecological adaptability of plants to karst environments, including high light and temperature, soil drought, soil nutrient and habitat heterogeneity. High light and temperature, geological drought force plants to change their physiological and morphological characters to cope with the damage caused by karst environment. Special soil properties also enable karst plants to evolve strong biochemical regulatory functions. The relationship between spatial heterogeneity and plant functional traits is a hot topic in recent years. At present, there has been great progress in the study of karst plants adapting to the special habitat, with some shortcomings in the scope of research. It is necessary to strengthen the study on the relationship between community succession and different functional traits, to provide scientific basis for the ecological restoration of karst area.

Key words: low impact development (LID), stormwater, bio-retention, green roof, permeable pavement.