The optical emission spectroscopy is used to study the time -space behavior of the plasma plume induced by pulsed XeCl laser ablation of carbon target The optical emission spectrum of the plasma is mainly continuous emitting near the target in its early formation stage. The discrete spectra can be detected 20 ns later and reach the maximum at about 60~100 ns. The temporal and spatial evolution of such characteristic peaks as C, C+, C2+ and C2 emission lines exhibit their different features. Based on these results, the creation and evolution mechanism of the plasma and reaction characteristics of the active species in the plasma arc discussed.