Abstract: The soil net mineralized nitrogen amount and nitrogen mineralization rates along a soil moisture gradient in a riparian area in Taihu Lake were examined using random block experimental design and incubation method. The soil samples were put in PVC tube and incubated at 5, 15, 25, and 35 ℃,respectively for 30 days. The results showed that the soil mineralized nitrogen amount, net nitrogen nitrification rate and mineralization rates increased significantly with increasing temperature. At the same temperature, the soil mineralized nitrogen amount, net nitrogen nitrification rate and mineralization rates increased with distance from the water body. The Q10 value of soil nitrogen mineralization fluctuated between 1.16 and 1.55. There was no obvious regularity of the Q10 value of soil N mineralization with distance from the water body. The experiments showed that soil mineralization nitrogen in the riparian zone would be greatly influenced by soil temperature change.