Abstract:Artificial pure forests of Pinus rigida var. serotina, P. elliottii, Eucalyptus robusta, Schirna superba, Liquidambar formosana, and mixed forests of L. formosana/P. massoniana or P. elliottii, which were planted in 1991 in seriously disturbed lower hilly land in Taihe county, Jiangxi Province, were investigated after 10 years. Changes of species diversity in the restored vegetation were measured. Before afforestation there were only 7 species such as Setaria viridis, Arundinella hirta, Rosa laevigata and Smilax china. In 1993 and 2001, the number of species increased to 21 and 58, respectively. In condition of the same density of plantation, the species diversity in the vegetation of the plantations was high in pure conifer forest, followed by conifer broadleaved mixed forest and broadleaved pure forest. The effects of afforestation species, stand structure (pure or mixed) and especially stand density on species diversity were obivious. However, conifer forest was poor in water holding, the soil under which had lower content of organic matters. Conifer broadleaved mixed forest is best for maintenance and restoration of species diversity and for improvement of soil and ecological environment.