In the present study, Phyllostachys pubescens plantation, Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation, and Cyclobalanopsis glauca broadleaf forest, three typical forest types in northern subtropical China, were selected to investigate the fate and transport processes of inorganic nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N, NO₃^--N, NO₂^--N), TP, and SO₄^2- in various hydrological components (i.e. precipitation, throughfall, stemflow, litterfall, and surface runoff). Results showed that the average concentrations of NH₄⁺-N, NO₃^--N, NO₂^--N, TP, and SO₄^2- in rainfall were 1.06, 0.61, 0.04, 0.07 and 1.84 mg/L, respectively, with an average pH of 5.88. The canopies of the three forest communities increased the pH of precipitation and kept stable throughout the year. The canopies absorbed TP and NH₄⁺-N accounting for 79.09%-84.68% and 30.88%-69.36%, respectively in P. pubescens, C. lanceolata and C. glauca forests. The litter layer was the major releasing sources of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur under the forests. Compared with atmospheric precipitation, the mass flux of NH₄⁺-N, NO₃^--N, NO₂^--N, TP, and SO₄^2- in surface runoff decreased significantly, with a minimum of 98% being trapped. According to the total interception rates of three forest communities, the C. glauca broadleaf forest most effectively trapped nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur in atmospheric precipitation, followed by P. pubescens plantation and C. lanceolata plantation.