Abstract:Aims of this study is to explore the spatial distribution of nutrients and the ecological stoichiometry in leaves of Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis Sieb. et Zucc.) and identify the driven factors. According to the distribution range of broad-leaved and Korean pine mixed forest (BKF) in Northeast China, this study sampled 3 sites in Changbai Mountain (42°27'N), Zhangguangcai Mountain (44°16'N) and Xiaoxing'anling Mountain (48°05'N), and measured carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in top soil (0-15 cm), subsurface soil (15-30 cm) and Korean pine leaves, determined spatial variation of nutrient elements along a latitude gradient and the relationships between leaves and soil. The results showed that:1) the contents of C, N and P in leaves were significantly higher than those in soil. The range of C, N, and P in the top (0-15 cm) soil were 27.6-87.4, 0.26-0.92 mg/g, and 2.0-7.2 mg/g, respectively, in subsurface (15-30 cm) soil were 8.1-59.7 mg/g, 0.7-4.6 mg/g, and 0.2-0.82 mg/g, respectively. While, in leaves, were 12.7-172.5 mg/g, 1.1-2.1 mg/g, and 495.5-507.4 mg/g. 2) The organic carbon and C/P and C/N in soil significantly increased along a latitude gradient. The correlation between the elements in leaves and latitude was not significant. 3) Leaves N, P was significantly correlated with total N and P in top soil respectively, additionally, leaves N was significantly correlated with that C/N in top soil, leaves P with N/P in top soil. Comparatively, the contents of N, P in Korean pine leaves are lower than that in natural forest ecosystems along the North-South Transect of Eastern China, which might suggest nutrients supply is not enough to Korean pine growth. Furthermore, low leaves N/P (9.9) indicated N limit is stronger than P in BKF. The results clarify the nutrient supply conditions and their influence factors in BKF, and are helpful to put forward effectively management way to increase forest productivity.