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Leaf delta C-13 of different plant functional groups (trees, shrubs and forbs; evergreen and deciduous; annual, biennial and perennial) were examined on the Changbai Mountains, China. Life form has a significant influence on plant delta C-13, suggesting that leaf delta C-13 is also ideal for distinguishing functional groups species in temperate and frigid zones with high humidity. Additionally, the difference of water-use efficiency (WUE) is significant among different plant functional groups. delta C-13 and WUE are in the following order of forbs < shrubs < trees. Within shrubs, delta C-13 and WUE are higher for evergreen shrubs than deciduous shrubs. Differences in delta C-13 and WUE are significant among different lifespan herbs, and delta C-13 and WUE follow the order of annual herbs > biennial herbs > perennial herbs, not in accordance with the pattern obtained by previous studies in deserts, suggesting that the ranking of delta C-13 and WUE among annual, biennial and perennial herbs may be dependent on local water availability.