[Objective] The characteristics of soil erosion at Castanea mollissima woodlands in the Dabie Mountains were studied in order to provide scientific support for the comprehensive prevention and control of soil erosion and ecological security in this area. [Methods] Data for this study came from Luotian County

Hubei Province well known as the 'No. 1 Castanea mollissima County in China’. Rainfall

runoff

sediment

and vegetation coverage of three Castanea mollissima woodlands on slopes of 10°

15°

and 20°

and of two abandoned runoff plots were observed to study the characteristics of soil erosion at Castanea mollissima woodlands in the Dabie Mountains. [Results] ① Although the vegetation coverage on the Castanea mollissima plots was higher than on the abandoned runoff plots

the soil erosion degree was more serious than on the abandoned land under the same slope and rainfall conditions

indicating that the Castanea mollissima woodlands had obvious soil erosion under the forest. ② Soil erosion was weaker in plots with lower vegetation coverage. However

soil erosion was not necessarily the weakest when the vegetation coverage was the highest. This means that even under the same rainfall

soil

and slope conditions

the vegetation coverage cannot be the only indicator of the degree of soil erosion. The composition and structure of vegetation must be considered. ③ Soil erosion on the Castanea mollissima plots did not increase with increasing slope

and there was a peak of soil erosion at about 15°. [Conclusion] Castanea mollissima is widely distributed in the Dabie Mountains. The phenomenon of soil erosion under Castanea mollissima requires further attention from scientific research and management departments.