[Objective] The water-holding capacity of litter and soil in Tiantai County

Zhejiang Province were investigate to provide a scientific basis for forest water conservation in the region.[Methods] The undergrowth litters and water-holding capacity of soil of eight forest types (Phyllostachys edulis forest

broad-leaved mixed forest

mixed broadleaf-conifer forest

coniferous mixed forest

Pinus massoniana forest

Cunninghamia lanceolata forest

Pinus thunbergii forest

and Schima superba forest) in Tiantai County were studied through field investigation and indoor soaking method.[Results] The litter volumes of the eight forest types were 8.05~23.84 t/hm2. The maximum capacity range was 14.59~35.15 t/hm2 (S. superba forest > mixed broadleaf-conifer forest > broad-leaved mixed forest > P. massoniana forest > C. lanceolata forest > P. thunbergii forest > P. edulis forest > coniferous mixed forest). Moreover

the litters had basically similar change laws of the water-holding capacity with soaking time. The water-holding capacity and soaking time showed a logarithmic function relation

whereas the water absorption rate and the soaking time had a power function relation. The soil bulk densities in the different types of forest were 0.83~1.21 g/cm3. The range of water-holding capacity of soil was 200.74~575.70 t/hm2 (P. thunbergii forest > mixed broadleaf-conifer forest > S. superba forest > C. lanceolata forest > P. edulis forest > P. massoniana forest > broad-leaved mixed forest > coniferous mixed forest).[Conclusion] The broad-leaved forest and the forest-type litter with broad-leaved tree species

as well as the soil under the forest

had strong water-holding capacity

and the maximum water-holding capacity of soil was that of the P. thunbergii forest.