Abstract:Nutrient contents, chemical properties and enzyme activity of soil in a Larix principis-rupprechtii forest plantation were investigated in middle zone of south-facing slope of the Qinling Mountains. Compared with the soil of Picea wilsonii forest and that of mixed stands of coniferous with broad leaved species at similar site, nutrient contents of the soil in the larch forest were lower, especially the available phosphate; capacity of exchangeable cation capacity of exchangeable base and degree of base saturation of the soil were less, ability to preserve fertility and fertility index was decreased; the enzyme activity was obviously lower, in particular that of phosphatase. Simillar variation was found between nutrient contents and enzyme activity in the soil profile.