Abstract: The stand types of protective forest system in in Meixi River small watershed of Three Gorges Reservoir area was optimized through the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method. The stand types after the optimization were broad-leaved mixed forest (32.19%), pine-oak mixed forest (28.67%), pine-cypress mixed forest (17.57%), masson pine pure forest (8.36%), cupressus funebris pure forest (7.31%) and economic forest (5.91%). The results provided a basis for the adjustment of stand types and the sustainable development of forestry in this area.