Objective  By investigating and studying the variation and differences of the hydrological properties of the litter layer and soil layer of the artificial forests in small watersheds surrounding the Winter Olympic venues, this study aimed to provide theoretical support for the restoration and management of plantation forests and enhancement of water conservasion capacity for the study area.

  Method  We conducted field work in the Xigou Watershed of Chongli District by investigating five types of plantation configuration pattern plots (Larix gmelinii pure forest, Pinus sylvestris pure forest, Larix gmelinii and Caragana korshinskii mixed forest, Pinus sylvestris and Caragana korshinskii mixed forest, Pinus sylvestris, Larix gmelinii and Caragana korshinskii mixed forest). Characteristics of the litter layer and soil layer in the plots were measured, and hydrological characteristics of litter and soil in different plots were quantitatively analyzed and compared.

  Result  (1) The accumulation and thickness of litter in the semi-decomposed layer were smaller than in the undecomposed layer of different plantations . (2) The litter water holding capacity of different plantation configuration patterns was as follows: the pure forest of Pinus sylvestris showed the largest (2.94 t/ha) maximum water holding capacity and the pure forest of Larix gmelinii was the smallest (1.95 t/ha); the effective water holding capacity in the mixed forest of Pinus sylvestris and Caragana korshinskii was the largest (1.46 t/ha) and the pure forest of larch was the smallest (1.17 t/ha). (3) The water holding capacity of litter in different plantation configurations showed a logarithmic relationship with the soaking time, and the water absorption rate of litter showed a power function relationship with the soaking time. (4) Soil physical properties and infiltration rates of different plantation configurations showed that the mixed artificial forest was better than the pure forest, and the soil infiltration rates showed a power function relationship with the infiltration time.

  Conclusion  The hydrological performance of the artificial forest mixed configuration pattern is better than that of the pure forest, it is recommended that native tree species and allocation patterns should be fully considered in the initial stage of vegetation reconstruction and restoration for the rapid reconstruction and healthy management of artificial forests, laying the foundation for the next step in the optimization of the spatial structure and alignment of forest vegetation in small watersheds.