Abstract: In this paper, the secondary vegetation (mainly shrubs and herbs)and its indicative significance to the habitat in Joulong mountain area located in the western suburb of Beijing were studied. Based on 120 vegetation samples, the system cluster method was used to group them by different similarity levels and the whole mountain area was divided into 4 major habitat types. Furthermore, the vegetation was classified into 8 association groups or 13 associations. The indicative significance of each association to its habitat, especially to the edaphic conditions such as soil moisture, thickness of soil etc., were pointed out. How to use the secondary shrubs and herbs as indicators in assessing the forestry poteintial of the deforested land in the low-mountain area near Beijing was discussed.