[Objective] The intrinsic relationship between soil physical and chemical properties and bacterial abundance was determined in order to provide a reference for precise control of soil erosion in a Pinus massoniana forest in red soil erosion areas. [Methods] The study was conducted in a P. massoniana forest in the red soil erosion area of Changting County, Fujian Province. Four stratigraphic backgrounds were analyzed to determine their soil physicochemical properties and bacterial community composition and diversity in a P. massoniana forest. Those stratigraphic backgrounds were the middle member of the Zhangping Formation of the Middle Jurassic (J₂Z²), the lower member of the Zhangping Formation of the Middle Jurassic (J₂Z¹), the early Yanshanian intrusive rocks of the Jurassic (γ₅^2(3)c), and the Quaternary Holocene (Q_h). [Results] The overall performance of the soil physical and chemical properties in the Pinus massoniana forest with different stratigraphic backgrounds followed the order of J₂Z¹>J₂Z²>Q_h>γ₅^2(3)c. The soil nutrient content was abundant and deficient in each stratum background. The soil organic matter content of the J₂Z¹ was higher than that of other strata, the background nitrogen content of Q_h was higher than that of other strata, and the background content of phosphorus and potassium was higher in γ₅^2(3)c. The number of soil bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTU) in the four strata backgrounds followed the order of Q_h>J₂Z²>J₂Z¹>γ₅^2(3)c, and accounted for 21.62%, 18.29%, 16.79%, and 12.08%, respectively, of the total number of OTUs. The diversity of the bacterial community followed the order of J₂Z²>Q_h>γ₅^2(3)c>J₂Z². Soil bacterial diversity was positively correlated with soil water content and soil pH value in J₂Z¹ and Q_h. Bacterial diversity in J₂Z² was positively correlated with soil bulk density and total phosphorus content. Bacterial diversity in γ₅^2(3)c was positively correlated with soil potassium content and available nitrogen content, and positively correlated with soil total nitrogen content. [Conclusion] There were certain differences in the soil physical and chemical properties of a P. massoniana forest with different stratigraphic backgrounds in the red soil erosion area. In the process of vegetation restoration, stratigraphic background factors should be considered for regional governance. Bacteria have certain indications for soil properties of different stratigraphic backgrounds.