Abstract： In order to assess the nutrient characteristics of the dominant species in karst forest and the environmental changes-induced metal stress on the forest health, the contents of nutrient elements (N, P, Ca, K, Mg, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Pb, Al) and ratios of N/P, K/Ca, K/Mg and Ca/Al in the leaves of 3 species (Quercus griffithii, Cinnamomum bodinieri and Kalopanax septemlobus) in karst forest in Puding, Guizhou, China were determined and analyzed. The patterns of the nutrient contents in the leaves of the 3 species were all revealed as Ca >K >Mg>N>P>Mn, while those of the metals as Al>Zn>Cu>Ni>Pb>Cr. Calcium and potassium were determined the most dominant nutrients in the leaves of the karst forest trees. According to the contents of Ca+Mg in their leaves, the 3 species could be all classified as indifference karst plants. The Cu, Zn, Ni and Pb in Quercus griffithii leaves were found close to the higher limit of their normal levels in plants, suggesting that there was a potential risk of heavy metals on the karst forest. The 3 dominant species were all defined as N limited plants, and potential Al toxicity in their leaves were not yet confirmed based on the ratios of the elements in the leaves.