Spatial distribution of total nitrogen(TN) and total phosphorus(TP) in soils under three riparian forests were studied with a dense equidistance sampling scheme.The results of correlation and principal component analysis showed that the contents of TN in surface soil were significantly higher than those in subsoil,while the contents of TP in surface were that almost same level with those in subsoil. The contents of TN and TP of the spruce forest soil were the highest,followed by the mixed forest of Populus and oak,and the soil under the mixed forest of larch and oak had lowest levels. The main factors affecting TN distribution were organic carbon and vegetation coverage,and soil depth and bulk density controlled the distribution of TP.