Reforestation of degraded ecosystems (e.g.,cut-clearing area or degraded secondary shrubland) is an important forest practice to restore the soil ecological function.However,there is scarce information about the effects of conversion from shrubland to plantations of different tree species on water-holding capacity of soils.To evaluate the effect of reforestation after conversion from coppice on soil water-holding capacity in the eastern Tibetan Plateau,four plantations stands were selected (each 28 years old,1987-2015),each with a different dominant tree species (namely Cercidiphyllum japonicum,Pinus tabulaeformis,Larix kaempferi,and Pinus armandii).A native broad-leaf coppice was used as the control.The four plantations were cultivated on similar site conditions,by using the same patterns of planting and management practices.We determined the soil bulk density,soil porosity,and soil water-holding capacity.Correlations between the soil physical index and the stock of litter in the forest floor and fine root biomass were used to elucidate the factors that influenced the changes in soil water-holding after replacing the native shrub by different tree species.Our results showed that compared with native broad-leaf coppice,either the deciduous or the broad-leaved plantations (C.japonicum and L.kaempferi) better improved the porosity and water-holding capacity of soils.In contrast,the evergreen pure coniferous plantations (P.armandii and P.tabulaeformis) decreased the porosity and water-holding capacity of the soils.Low rate of litter decomposition in the P.armandii and P.tabulaeformis plantations hindered the turnover of organic materials forming soil organic matter,and this may have indirectly contributed to the lower soil water-holding capacity,via influencing soil physical porosity.Additionally,the fine root biomass in different plantations may be an important factor,since it too can alter soil physical parameters,and thus,further affect the soil water-holding capacity.Our results highlighted that reforestation in a degraded ecosystem with the aim to restore soil water-holding capacity should avoid planting pure stands of coniferous tree species.Deciduous or broad-leaved tree species are appropriate tree species for improving the soil structure of monoculture plantations in the eastern Tibetan Plateau.