Abstract: Using litter bag method, we studied the responses of soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), microbial respiration (MR) and microbial metabolic quotient (q_CO2) in 0-5 cm, 5-10 cm and 10-20 cm soil layers to homefield advantage of Betula platyphlla and Quercus mongolica leaf litter decomposition in Liaoheyuan Nature Reserve, northern Hebei Province. The results showed that the contents of MBC in Betula platyphlla and Quercus mongolica leaf litter treatments in home environment (Bh and Qh treatments) were significant higher than that in B. platyphlla and Q. mongolica leaf litter treatments in nonhome environment (Ba and Qa treatments). There was no significant difference in MR between home and nonhome environments. Response degree of MBC and MR to homefield advantage of different litter decomposition was inconsistent. The MBC of the different soil layers in Qa treatment fell by 39.6%, 34.9% and 33.5% compared to Qh treatment, respectively, and that in B. platyphlla treatment was decreased by 31.6%, 27.1% and 17.0%, respectively. MR of the different soil layers in Qa treatment accounted for 96.3%, 92.4% and 83.7% of Qh treatment, respectively, while MR in B. platyphlla treatment was 99.4%, 97.3% and 101.3%, respectively. In contrast to MBC, qCO2 in soil showed a reverse pattern. Our study suggested that rich nutrients in soil enhanced microbial activity and weakened the conflict of nutrient uptake between plants and microorganisms, which led to the result that MBC and q_CO2 had an obvious response to homefield advantage of litter decomposition, when litter decomposed in its home environment. There was a weak response between MR and homefield advantage of litter decomposition, because of influence of soil temperature, water content and their interaction. Furthermore, MBC, MR and q_CO2 had a higher response degree to homefield advantage of Q. mongolica litter than B. platyphlla litter, since lower quality litter exhibited higher homefield advantage of litter decomposition.