【Objective】This study investigated changes in the community structure and characteristics of Pinus armandi communities at different stages of pest infestation by Dendroctonus armandi in Shennongjia. The aim was to provide strategies for pest control and forest management of P. armandi community, and to establish a scientific basis for biodiversity conservation.【Method】Fixed-plot surveys were conducted in Shennongjia Forest District in 2015 (earlier pestr infestation stage) and 2022 (later pest infestation stage).We investigated the soil environment and plant community, and analyzed changes in soil properties, species composition, importance values, and biodiversity indices.【Result】Compared to the earlier pest infestation stage, the soil environment changed significantly in the late stage of pest infestation: the content of organic matter, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus increased significantly by 159.86%, 96.18% and 54.39%, respectively. However, soil temperature and humidity, litter thickness, pH, and total potassium exhibited no significant changes. Both species composition and richness increased in the community. Vascular plant diversity expanded from 116 species (63 families, 101 genera) to 189 species (74 families, 145 genera). Specifically, the arbor layer increased by 20 species, the shrub layer added 9 species, and the herb layer increased by 55 species. Changes in importance values varied among layers. P. armandi remained the dominant arbor species, but its importance value declined from 42.52% to 24.41%.The species with the highest importance values in the shrub layer changed significantly, whereas the herb layer retained its top three species: Parathelypteris nipponica, Oplismenus undulatifolius and Galium hoffmeisteri. Biodiversity changes also differed among layers. In the arbor and herb layers,species richness, Shannon-Wiener index, and Simpson index increased significant, while the Pielou index showed no marked change. In the shrub layer, Pielou and Simpson indices increased significantly, while richness and Shannon-Wiener index remained stable.【Conclusion】Despite the decline in the P. armandi population due to years of pest infestation, the composition and structure became more complex and biodiversity increased, particularly in arbor and herb layers. In managing P. armandi-infested forests, natural restoration should be prioritized. Species across all layers that exhibit strong environmental adaptability should be protected, and the regeneration layer should be fostered. In addition, strategic gap planting utilizing high-importance-value species—such as Cornus controversa, Carpinus turczaninovii, and Juglans mandshurica—are recommended to enhance biodiversity and promote community stabilization.