Abstract: In this study, the relationship models at national scale between forest litterfall (and leaf litterfall) and climatic factors (mean annual mean temperature, MAT; mean annual precipitation, MAP; and actual evapotranspiration, AET) were constructed. The spatial and temporal distribution patterns of forest litterfall and leaf litterfall in 2001, 2006 and 2012 were investigated by using geostatistical analysis combining with forest cover information based on remote sensing interpretation. Results indicated that the variation in litterfall and leaf litterfall were well explained at regional scales by AET than MAT and MAP. Evergreen broadleaf forest distributing mostly in South Central China possessed the highest mean yearly litterfall (636.2 g·m^-2), and that of deciduous broadleaf forest in the Northeast of China was between 339-385 g·m^-2. The forest leaf litterfall accounted for about 70% of total forest litterfall. The total forest litterfall in China increased from 801 Tg in 2001, and 865 Tg in 2006 to 1032 Tg in 2012, meanwhile, the forest coverage in China also presented an increasing trend, 18% in 2001, 20% in 2006, and 24% in 2012. The rapid increase of plantation area and stand growth in China had a great effect on the forest litterfall and its dynamic change, and the material cycle of forest ecosystem.