[Objective] The differences in hydrological effects of litters in different vegetation ecosystems were investigated to provide support for the optimization of the ecological spatial pattern in Zhangjiakou region.[Methods] Based on field investigation and statistical analysis

the water-holding capacities of litters at the end of the growing season of three ecosystems (forests

farmland

and grassland) in Zhangjiakou region and its relationship to ecosystem biomass were analyzed.[Results] ① The maximum water-holding capacity (30.7 t/hm2)

effective storage capacity (22.97 t/hm2)

effective interception rate (187.49%)

and water absorption rate (5.84 g/h) of forest ecosystem were superior to those of the other two types of ecosystems. ② The hydrological indicators of grassland were better than those of farmland. Its maximum water-holding capacity was higher than that of forests. ③ There was a significant positive correlation between litter biomass and its maximum water-holding capacity and effective storage capacity

whereas the proportion of litter in the total ecosystem biomass decreased with the increase in total biomass.[Conclusion] On condition that the afforestation method is appropriate

forest ecosystems could improve regional water conservation levels. Simultaneously

the water conservation capacity of grassland should not be ignored. The large-scale expansion of cultivated land in the city to grassland would directly affect the water conservation capacity of the region. In addition

the response relationship between the carbon sequestration capacity characterized by biomass and the water conservation capacity reflected by the litter storage had different performances at different scales of the ecosystem. When optimizing the regional ecological spatial pattern

it was necessary to clarify the water conservation capacity of litters in different ecosystem types at a specific scale

as well as its response to other ecological service functions

to achieve balanced development of each ecosystem.