Abstract:The stable carbon isotope ratios (δ13C) of dominant tree and shrub species in typical temperate broad-leaved forests in Dongling Mountain, northwestern part of Beijing, China, were studied. The results indicated that the values of foliar 8 13C differed among the species tested, in the following order of Prunus armeniaca var. ansu Maxim. > Fraxinus rhychophylla Hce. ≈ Virex negundo var. heterophylla (Franch.) ReM. ≈ Quercus liaotungensis Koiz. ≈ Syringa pekinensis Rupr. > Juglans mandshurica Maxim. The δ13C values were also affected by the maturity of leaves. The newly-developed leaves had higher δ13C values than the mature ones, especially in Juglans mandshurica and Quercus liaotungensis. The conditions of habitats, particularly soil depth and moisture content, also had pronounced effect on foliar δ13C. The foliar δ13C values of plants grown in dry habitats were higher than those in moist ones. They were also affected by the position of leaves in the canopy: leaves at upper canopy showed higher δ13C values than the lower ones. It is suggested that stable isotope technique may be effective for the study of ecophysiology of plants in the warm temperate regions of China.