Abstract: Statistical approaches were employed to research the small-scale spatial heterogeneity of hydrolytic nitrogen, available phosphorus, and rapidly available potassium in the soil of forest grassland. The relationship between the content of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium and the distribution of vegetation were obtained. Results revealed that 1) contents of hydrolytic nitrogen, available phosphorus and rapidly available potassium in soil surface were significantly higher than those in the bottom;2) contents of hydrolytic nitrogen, available phosphorus and rapidly available potassium at sampling points in each soil layer in the adjacent of trees were the highest, followed by those at points where the ground is dominated by herbaceous and points at roadside;3) contents of hydrolytic nitrogen, available phosphorus and rapidly available potassium were in highly-significant (P<0.01) or significant (P<0.05) negative correlation with soil thickness. Apart from potassium, the distribution of hydrolytic nitrogen and phosphorus had highly significant (P<0.01) or significant (P<0.05) difference under the influence of vegetation types. Vegetation and soil layer had significant (P<0.05) interaction effect on the distribution of soil hydrolytic nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

Key words: forest grassland, hydrolytic nitrogen, available phosphorus, rapidly available potassium, spatial heterogeneity