Abstract:Soil nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) content and availability were examined in four ecosystems representing different stages of forest succession: bare hillside, Masson pine (Pinus massoniana) forest, conifer\|broadleaf mixed forest and evergreen broad\|leaved forest. All sites were located on the luvisols red soil in the central subtropical region. Soil nitrogen and phosphorus data were obtained by closed\|top PVC tube incubation and Hedley P fractionation methods. The results indicated that soil organic carbon, total N, net N\|mineralization rate and neutral phosphatase activity increased with the successional stages. Soil total P, C/N ratio, C/P ratio, ammonification rate, nitrification rate, resin P, NaHCO3\|P, NaOH\|P, sonic P, acid P, total available P, and acidic phosphatase activity did not show distinct trends with successional stages. All soil nutrient measures except for ammonification rate, resin P and acidic phosphatase activity were greatest in the evergreen broad\|leaved forest. Strong correlations (P<0.05) were found among most of these measurements. In our study systems, P limitation to plant growth was stronger than N limitation at early successional stages and soil N and P availability were improved with forest successional development. Our data suggests that the evergreen broad\|leaved forest shall be considered as the final purpose of vegetation restoration in central subtropical region.