Shifting plant leaf anatomical strategic spectra of 286 plants in the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: Changing gears along 1050–3070 m

•286 plant species were collected from 1050 to 3070 m in the eastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.•In response to changes in the environment, the blades have changed in the use of resources, mechanical support and so on.•Herbaceous and woody plants leaf epidermis, mesophyll and midrib are existing functional strategy spectra.•The functional strategy spectrum shifted along altitudes.