In order to explore the distribution of Carex L. plants in different vegetation types, this study investigated the community characteristics of 9 Carex L. plant species in central and eastern Gansu Province, and compared and analyzed the soil nutrient status, to reveal the relationship between the species diversity and distribution communities and soil environmental factors of wild Carex L. The results show that: (1) the species diversity of the 9 Carex communities was significantly different. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H) and Simpson dominance index (D_si) were the highest in Carex breviculmis community, and the lowest in the Carex lanceolata community. The Patrick richness index (R) was the highest in Carex heterostachya community and the lowest in Carex rigescens community. The Pielou evenness index (J_sw) was the highest in Carex melanostachya community and the lowest in C. lanceolata community. (2). The soil suitable for the growth of 9 wild Carex species was neutral or weakly alkaline, and the contents of organic matter, nitrogen and potassium were rich, but the content of phosphorus was low. The average contents of soil organic matter, pH, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, available nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium were 41.07 g·kg^-1, 8.35, 1.16 g·kg^-1, 0.65 g·kg^-1, 5.60 g·kg^-1, 47.94 mg·kg^-1, 5.82 mg·kg^-1and 100.60 mg·kg^-1, respectively. (3) The species diversity of 9 Carex species was positively correlated with total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen, organic matter, rainfall and elevation, but it was negatively correlated with soil pH, available phosphorus and available potassium. Rainfall, soil pH, available phosphorus and organic matter had great effects on the community species diversity of 9 wild Carex species.