Abstract: In order to investigate the water conservation capacity of different types of forest in karst rocky desertification areas, the water-holding capacity of litter layer and soil layer of different forests was measured in nine types of forest in Bijie-Salaxi potential-mild rocky desertification research area, Guanling-Zhenfeng Huajiang medium-intensity rocky desertification research area and Shibingwu potential rocky desertification research areas in southern China. The results showed that: (1) The order of effective retention capacity of litter layer in the medium-intensity rocky desertification study area was: Tectona grandis > Cladrastis platycarpa > Zanthoxylum bungeanum, in the potential-mild rocky desertification study area was: Pinus armandii > Betula luminifera > Juglans regia, in the non-potential rocky desertification study area was: Pyrus > Tilia nanchuanensis > Pinus massoniana. (2) Soil bulk density of different forest types varied from 0.85 g·cm⁻³ to 1.34 g·cm⁻³, and total porosity varied from 47.71% to 65.69%. Soil bulk density was negatively correlated with soil porosity, water holding capacity and water storage (p < 0.05), while soil water content was positively correlated with soil porosity (p < 0.05). (3) The comprehensive water-holding capacity of different forest types was calculated by Topsis method. The results showed that in medium-intensity rocky desertification study area: Tectona grandis > Cladrastis platycarpa > Zanthoxylum bungeanum, in potential-mild rocky desertification study area: Pinus armandii > Betula luminifera >Juglans regia, and in non-potential rocky desertification study area: Pinus massoniana > Pyrus > Tilia nanchuanensis. The results could provide a basis for subsequent rocky desertification management and vegetation restoration.