Abstract: With the dataset in the investigated field, we studied the species diversity of Carpinus cordata communities in Lishan Nature Reserve, Shanxi Province by using Patric index(R₀), Simpson index(λ), Shannon-Wiener index(H'), Pielou index(E₁) and Alatalo index(E₅). The change trends of R₀, H', E₁ and E₂ was almost similarity, and the change trends of λ with H' was positive. Overall, the rank of species diversity indices of C.cordata communities was Ass. Ⅰ Carpinus cordata-Lindera glauca-Phlomis umbrosa > Ass. Ⅲ Carpinus cordata-Forsythia suspense-Phlomis umbrosa > Ass. Ⅳ Carpinus cordata-Spiraea pubescens+Forsythia suspense-Smilacina japonica > Ass. Ⅶ Carpinus cordata-Sambucus williamsii-Thalictrum baicalense+Epimedium brevicornu > Ass. Ⅱ Carpinus cordata-Deutzia parviflora-Phlomis umbrosa > Ass. Ⅵ Carpinus cordata-Deutzia parviflora-Osmorhiza aristata > Ass. Ⅴ Carpinus cordata-Deutzia parviflora-Smilacina japonica. The diversity indices between the tree layer and shrub layer was negative correlation(P<0.05),and the diversity indices between the tree layer and herb layer was negative correlation(P<0.05) also, moreover, the diversity indices between the tree layer and herb layer was negative correlation(P>0.05). The differences among those associations of the C.cordata communities was not significant(P>0.05).