Abstract:In order to study the water conservation effect and regeneration of typical plantations in northern mountainous, Larix principis forests in the Lüliang Mountains were selected. The indoor soaking method was used to determine the water holding capacity of litter under different densities. The RDA analysis method was used to explore the relationships between stand structure and litter thickness and interception function. The results showed that:(1) The thickness of litter was 0.84~4.50 cm in different densities, and the accumulation was in the range of 9.64~24.14 t/hm2. 350 trees/hm2 had the largest amount and 200 trees/hm2 had the smallest. (2) The maximum water holding capacity of the sample plots was 27.12~62.07 t/hm2, the water holding capacity of 500 trees/hm2 was the largest, the water holding capacity of 150 trees/hm2 was the smallest, and the water holding rate ranged from 213% to 374%. The effective interception capacity of each plot was 10.75~30.40 t/hm2, the interception capacity of 500 trees/hm2 was the best, and 150 trees/hm2 was the worst. The interception capacity was positively correlated with water holding capacity. (3) The water holding capacity of litter had a significant logarithmic function relationship with the soaking time, and the water-holding rate had a power exponential function relationship with the soaking time. (4) The intercepted amount of litter was closely related to the structures of the forest, showing as tree height>forest density>canopy density>slope>forest age>regeneration>tending thinning years. Tree height had the closest relationship to the intercepted amount of litter. The effects of forest age, seedling regeneration and tending years on litter interception were small. Altitude and average DBH of stand had no effect on litter interception. The results of the study could provide some references for tending and management of Larix principis plantation from the perspectives of water conservation and soil and water conservation.