Abstract: In order to clarify the water conservation functions of different vegetation restoration patterns. Based on the methods of field survey and indoor analysis， taking mountain forest-arid valley intersection zone in the upper Minjiang River as the research object, the existing litter layer, water holding process and water absorption process were carried out under different vegetation restoration patterns. Under different vegetation restoration patterns, the litter stock of the litter showed an order of NSF>LF>MP>M >S> G. Under different vegetation restoration patterns, the proportion of semidercomposed litter layer in the existing total was higher than that of undecomposed litter layer, which were more than 60%. The proportion of semidercomposed litter layer was the highest for the pattern of M(79.89%), and the pattern of NSF was the lowest(60.66%). The maximum water holding capacity of litter was 53.25 t·hm-2 and 53.22 t·hm-2, respectively for the pattern of LF and NSF, followed by that of MP pattern, and the maximum water holding capacity of litter in G pattern was the least. Under different vegetation restoration patterns, the water holding capacity of the semi-decomposed litter layer was higher than that of the undecomposed litter layer, and the relationship between water holding capacity and time of soaking showed mutiple correlation such as logarithmic, power function, linear and exponential function. The relationship between water absorption rate and time of soaking for the undecomposed layer and semi-decomposed layer of litters showed the power functions under different vegetation restoration patterns. The results can provide scientific foundation for the rational selection of vegetation restoration patterns in the region.