Litter storage and its water capacity are studied in the artificial black locust(Robinia Pseudoacacia)forest of different densities and ages in Tuqiaogou watershed of Fangshan County

Western Shanxi Province.Litter storage and characteristic parameters

such as water holding capacity and water absorption speed

are determined.Results show that by the litter amount

the artificial black locust forests of different ages are in the order of 9 years old forest>15 years old forest>20 years old forest.The quantity ranges from 1.89 to 9.30 t/hm2.By the maximum water holding capacity and the maximum rate of retention

the artificial black locust forests of different ages are in the order of 20 years old forest>15 years old forest>9 years old forest.Water holding capacity for the density of 3333 stands/hm2 is the greatest and for the density of 1111 stands/hm2

the least.Undecomposed and half2decomposed litters absorb water very fast in the beginning 0.25 h;between 0 and 2h

water absorption speed drops quickly;and the speed slows down gradually and approaches to 0 after immersed for 24h.In the hilly and gully area of the loess plateau of Western Shanxi Province

the suitable stand density of artificial black locust forest is 1667 stands/hm2.