Abstract:Studies of the distribution and contents of nutrients in 40-yr-old Cryptocarya concinna/Lindera chunii community of lower subtropical evergreen broadleaved forest in Dinghushan Biosphere Reserve showed that the total nutrient standing stock in the community was estimated to be 61.253 for P, 928.764 for K, 1 212.771 for Ca, and 79.349 kg hm-2 for Mg. Nutrient allocation in different layers in the community was in the order of trees>lians>shrubs>herbs. In tree layer, 38.6%-61.7% of nutrient elements was in tree trunks and branches. Standing stock of nutrients in roots, trunks and barks was Ca>K>Mg>P, and that in other organs was K>Ca>Mg>P. Annual nutrient accumutations of P, K, Ca and Mg were 2.677, 41.550, 63.309 and 3.693 kg hm-2, respectively. Nutrient use coefficients in the community were 0.18(P), 0.11(K), 0.09(Ca) and 0.28(Mg), the nutrient cycling coefficients being 0.76(P), 0.61(K), 0.41(Ca) and 0.84(Mg). Nutrient cycling period for P, K, Ca and Mg was 7.36, 15.12, 28.05 and 4.30 years, respectively. It is concluded that the community had greater nutrient reserve ability but lower nutrient use efficiency as compared to the previous study on Pinus massoniana community.