The water holding capacities of litters of four typical vegelations in south section of Gaoligongshan mountain were studied through field delermination,indoor experiments and analysis.The study results were as follows; 1 ) The thickness of litter was in the order of natural broadleaved forest > Alnus nepalensis forest > Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation > secondary broadleaved forest; among which,the thickness of undecomposed litter was in the order of Alnus nepalensis forest > natural broadleaved forest > Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation > secondary broadleaved forest; the thickness of semi-decomposed litter was in the order of natural broadleaved forest > Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation > Alnus nepalensis forest > secondary broadleaved forest.The total storage of litter was in the order of natural broadleaved forest > secondary broadleaved forest > Alnus nepalensis forest > Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation,among which,the storage of undecomposed litter was in the order of secondary broadleaved forest > natural broadleaved forest > Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation > Alnus nepalensis forest,the storage of semi-decomposed litter was in the order of natural broadleaved forest > Alnus nepalensis forest > secondary broadleaved forest > Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation.2) The maximum water holding capacity of un-decomposed litter and semi-decomposed litter was in the order of natural broadleaved forest > Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation > Alnus nepalensis forest > secondary broadleaved forest.3) The speed of water holding of un-decomposed litter and semi - decomposed litter was in the order of natural broadleaved forest > Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation >Alnus nepalensis forest > secondary broadleaved forest.In conclusion,the water holding capacity of natural broadleaved forest was the best among these four vegetations.