The saturated photosynthetic rate(P_max),photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency(PNUE),as well as their relationships with the nitrogen allocation in cell wall(N_CW/N_L),nitrogen allocation in photosynthetic enzyme(N_R/N_L) and leaf mass per unit area(LMA) of 4 trees and 4 shrubs in different successional stages of the evergreen broad-leaved forest in Tiantong National Forest Park were studied by the method of space instead of time.The result showed that:(1)There were significant differences for every index except N_L,the mean values of N_R/N_L,PNUE,P_max in earlier successional stages were higher than those in later successional stages;the species in the later successional stages had higher LMA,N_CW/N_L and M_CW/M_L.No significant differences were found among the values of N_L in the 4 trees.However,there were significant differences among the shrubs.The mean values of LMA,N_CW/N_L and M_CW/M_L in trees were higher than those in shrubs,while the N_R/N_L had an opposite tendency;the P_max and N_L of Myrica rubra were the highest,Camellia fraternal had the lowest values.Castanopsis sclerophylla had the hightest values of PNUE,Castanopsis fargesii,in the contract,the lowest.(2)With the progress of the succession,the N_R/N_L,PNUE,P_max of the earlier successional stages decrease gradually.N_CW/N_L,LMA and M_CW/M_L increase,respectively,but the species of later successional stages had a opposite trend.(3)N_R/N_L was significantly negatively correlated with the PNUE and P_max(P<0.01),respectively,while LMA,M_CW/M_L,N_CW/N_L were positively correlated with PNUE,P_max and N_R/N_L respectively(P<0.01).The research suggested that the negative correlation between N_CW/N_L and N_R/N_L and their influences on the PNUE can be explain the trade-off between the photosynthesis and persistence as well as the physiological mechanism of the succession to some extent.