Abstract:Litter decomposition is a primary process of nutrient recycling and energy transiton in terrestrial ecosystems. Climate and litter quality are main factors controlling litter decomposition. Unfortunately, the relationship between litter decomposition and litter quality and the influence of climate variable on litter decomposition rate in China was poorly understood. The effects of climate and litter quality were investigated by conducting at 5 experimental sites, spanning 5 climatic regions along a temperature gradient across eastern China. We used litterbag method to determine annual decomposition rate of 8 species over a period of 2 years. The results indicated that mean annual precipitation (MAP) is a most important climatic variable affecting litter decomposition, following by mean annual temperature (MAT) and actual evapo-transpiration (AET). The initial nitrogen (N) concentration of leaf litter were the most important litter quality variable, following by phosphorus (P) concentration, Lignin:N ratio and C∶N ratio.