The diversity and spatial patterns of soil invertebrates are the cornerstones for understanding their ecological functions, which are crucial to maintaining nutrient cycling and soil health in forest ecosystems. Based on a continuous altitudinal gradient (1020–1770 m) composed of 119 plots, this study analyzed the spatial patterns of invertebrate communities in temperate mountain forest litter and soil using multi-scale ordination. The results indicate that along the altitudinal gradient, the invertebrate communities in both litter and soil layers exhibit “patches” at a scale of approximately 33 plots that are mainly composed of Mesostigmata and Apterogasterine oribatid mites. In the litter layer, at the 11-plot scale, an aggregation of Onychiuridae is also formed, while in the soil layer, there are “patches” represented by Diadocidiidae at the 33-plot scale. The positive–negative associations among invertebrate taxa also shift between the litter and soil layers, as well as among “patches”. Our study confirms that the richness of invertebrates in temperate-forest litter is higher and forms multi-scale assembly “patches” despite the higher abundance of invertebrates in the soil layer. Future studies should delve deeper into the aggregation mechanisms of these specific taxa and may require higher sampling densities to reveal the multi-scale spatial patterns of soil invertebrates.

Litter decomposition is a fundamental ecological process that drives nutrient cycling and energy flow. However, little is known about the elevational patterns of this process in different stages. We established ten sites on Dongling Mountain in Beijing, China, to investigate the elevational patterns of oak leaf (Quercus liaotungensis) decomposition, as well as the underlying mechanisms. Our results revealed distinct elevational patterns of litter decomposition in different stages. There was no significant altitudinal pattern in the mass loss of Q. liaotungensis leaves at the 2nd, 4th, and 6th months of decomposition. By the 16th month, the mass loss decreased significantly along the elevation gradient (p = 0.008). By the 28th month, a reverse pattern emerged, with greater mass loss observed at higher elevations (p < 0.001). A similar change also took place in the altitudinal pattern of the abundance of invertebrates within the litter bag, which was lower at higher elevations at the 16th month (p = 0.002), but higher at higher elevations at the 28th month (p = 0.002). In addition, we examined the elevational patterns of carbon and nitrogen concentrations in different stages. The results of the structural equation model revealed that the invertebrate abundance at the 4th month influenced the litter residues at the 16th month (p < 0.001), yet nitrogen content at the 16th month affected litter residues at the 28th month(p < 0.001). This study provides novel insights into the temporal dynamics of litter decomposition along an elevational gradient and highlights the underlying mechanisms by which litter chemistry and biological factors regulate this process.