In this contribution, it is presented the analysis of the foliar bio-typological patterns of representative areas from water and topographic gradients in Colombia. Likewise, two case studies related to mangrove vegetation in the Caribbean and a dry forest in secondary succession are included. For the analysis of the water gradient, it was included information from 31 vegetation plots located in sites with mean annual rainfall between 930 and 3488 mm. For mangrove vegetation, it was included information from 39 vegetation plots located in sites with mean annual rainfall between 249 to 1397 mm in the departments of La Guajira, Magdalena, Sucre and Córdoba. In the case study of plant succession, 16 plots located in the “Los Besotes” Ecopark in the department of Cesar were included. Regarding to topographic gradient, it was included information from 35 vegetation plots located on the departments of Boyacá, Cundinamarca, Risaralda and La Guajira with an altitude range from 1800 to 3380 meters above sea level; In the sub-Andean region, eight plots were carried out, in the Andean region 18 plots and in the Paramo region 9 plots. In each plot, stratification was taken into account. Quantitative and qualitative plant functional traits were selected; in the case of the quantitative ones, the area, specific weight, succulence, sclerophilia and thickness were estimated for the leaves; Regarding the wood, basic density was estimated. For qualitative traits of the leaf, the type (simple or compound), shape, size, apex, margin, base, consistency and presence of protection in the leaf lamina (beam-underside) were measured. From each individual, between 5 and 20 leaves were selected, with total expansion and minimal signs of damage (wilting or/and herbivory). Laboratory processing follows the proposed methods for measuring functional traits including some adjustments. Also, a new method for automating leaf area calculation was generated. Additionally, a soil sample was extracted at each plot for edaphic analyzes. With respect to information analysis, a descriptive approach was carried out by plot, location and region-unit; principal component analysis and multidimensional staggering were implemented. On the other hand, to analyze significant differences according to the nature of the data, parametric tests such as the ANOVA and Tukey test were involved; and non-parametric ones such as the Kruskal-Wallis test, Dunn and Welch post-Hoc test. In order to quantify the degree of association between the variables, Pearson and Spearman correlation analyzes were used. In the case of qualitative traits, the Tau Goodman-Kruskal coefficient (τGK) was used in the case of Politomies. Finally, in the case of mangroves, the community weighted mean (CWM) was included, including an analysis from the functional ecology approach. All analyzes were run under the R and Past software. The first chapter addresses the water gradient on the Caribbean region of Colombia and it includes a case study of ecological succession of tropical dry forest. In general, for the tropical region the pattern corresponds to leaves that are simple, mesophilic, elongated, with whole border, punctiform apex, obtuse base, membranous consistency, glabrous and with thickness category A (0.005 - 0.15 mm). Likewise, differences in qualitative traits were observed in different precipitation units, finding the greatest differences in the extremes of the gradient for size, consistency, foliar protection and thickness. Regarding stratification, it is observed that the differences in leaf texture depend on the vegetation structure and they may reflect particular traits of the taxa. It is evident that precipitation influences the leaf area and leaf thickness in relation to a photosynthetic optimum, this means that these relationships express a continuum from acquisitive strategies to conservative strategies from the perspective of the leaf economics spectrum. In the succession it was observed that in early stages there is a greater photosynthetic efficiency by ephemeral herbaceous species and greater control over the thermal regulation of the leaf. In the following stages there is a greater participation of species with traits related to conservative strategies, and in the mature stage a balance between acquisitive and conservative traits is observed. In the second chapter, it is presented the foliar biotypological pattern in the topographic gradient. It was found that for all regions the simple leaves, with full border, coriaceous consistency, glabrous and with a thickness category B (0.16-0.35 mm) predominate. Likewise, differences in qualitative traits on the extremes of the gradient in the apex type, leaf size and leaf shape were observed. Regarding stratification, it is observed that the differences in leaf texture depend on the structure of the vegetation in each of the regions, the floristic composition and, in the case of the Paramo region, the types of vegetation (chuscal, scrubland, peat bogs and frailejonal). In this gradient, a greater number of relationships between traits and climatic and edaphic variables were found. In this case, we observe that the temperature has a greater influence on the functional traits. The high Andean region and Páramo are characterized by having smaller leaves and greater succulence, these traits are contrasting on regions of lower altitude. The third chapter establishes foliar biotypological patterns for representative areas of the Caribbean mangroves. In this chapter it was included an analysis under the phytosociological approach. The pattern for mangroves corresponds to simple leaves, notophyll leaves, elliptical and oblong leaves, full border, obtuse apex, obtuse base, coriaceous, glabrous and thick category B (0.16-0.35mm). The most relevant features in mangroves were foliar specificity, sclerophilia and succulence that may be related to water regulation, salt secretion and perspiration control. In this type of vegetation, the highest correlation coefficients between leaf area and precipitation were obtained, which demonstrates the influence of this variable on plants development and growth. This finding is also an expression of tolerance ranges of mangrove species. It was found that xerophytic characteristics of leaves increase their predominance with greater salinity and less precipitation. Regarding the phytosociological approach, lower growth (higher wood density and specific gravity) was observed in alliances dominated by A. germinans, this may be related to the high tolerance to salinity of this species with respect to alliances dominated by R. mangle. There is evidence of a convergence in the distribution of traits among associations, this means that although a different composition is presented, they share the same functional response to environmental conditions. Finally, it is presented a synthesis in which is established the functional position of life regions and mangroves according to leaf area, specific leaf weight, leaf succulence and leaf thickness. It was found that the tropical and sub-Andean region express characteristics of acquisitive strategies while the high Andean region, Paramo region and mangroves have characteristics of conservative strategies; and in the case of the low Andean region there is an intermediate condition. This could have implications for their growth rate, productivity, and vulnerability. Furthermore, these results present a comparative basis to join efforts in regions most vulnerable to climate change in Colombia.