Abstract:The variation patterns of species diversity of forest community in Xiaozhaizigou Nature Reserve were studied by systematic survey along altitudinal gradients, and the relationships between environmental factors and species diversities were analyzed by using Detrended Canonical Correspondence Analysis (DCCA). The results showed that the species diversities was in order of herb layer> shrub layer > tree layer. In tree layer, altitude was the most principal factor on distribution pattern of species diversity. With increment of altitude, species richness and diversity in tree layer decreased, and evenness of tree layer had no obvious changes. In shrub layer and herb layer, the soil nutrient status, such as the contents of organic matter and total nitrogen played important roles in distribution pattern of species diversity. There were not obvious relationships between species diversity and some topographic factors, such as slope, slope aspect, et al.