Abstract: This paper reported such ecophysiological characteristics of eight species as efficiency of radiation utilization, transpiration coefficient based on vegetational research of limestone region and the results were compared with two species (Schima superba, Castanopsis fissa) of faster growth and often used for afforestation in non-limestone region. The infrared CO2 analyzer and steady state porometer model LI-1600 were employed in the study. The purpose was to select sortable species for afforestation of limestone region. The results showed that average photosynthetic rate (g CO2·m-2·d-1) were 19.92, 13.10, 9.04 and 8.11; utilization efficiency of photosynthetically active radiation (%) were 4.21, 4.59, 2.71 and 2.52; transpiration rate (g H2O·m-2·d-1) were 2191,1266,1479 and 1133;transpiration coefficient (g H2O·gDM-1) were 164,144,244 and 209,respectively, for Zenia insignis, Toona sinensis,S. superba and C. fissa. It also indicated that the ecological adaptation ability and photosynthetical productivity of Z. insignis and T. sinensis were higher than those of S. superba and C. fissa. The photosynthetical productivity of Cornus wilsoniana and Cinnamomum burmanni were similar to those of S. superba and C. fissa. The photosynthetical productivity of Radermachera sinica, Osmanthus fragrans, Sinosideroxylon wightianum and Castanea mollissima were low. However, the ecological adaptation ability of the six species (G. wilsoniana, R. sinica C. burmanni, O. fragrans, S. wightianum and C. mollissima) were higher than those of S. superba and C. fissa.