In this paper

the effects of desertification on litter decomposition

carbon and nitrogen release were studied using mesh bags in Horqin sandy land.The results showed that the dry weight remaining rate of litter at the 110 d was 38.5%

40.8%

45.2%

55.6% and 58.8%

respectively

in potential

light

moderate

severe

and most-severe desertification sand land

while percentage of C remained in litter was 37.1%

36.6%

41.4%

53.6% and 51.1%

and N remained was 43.8%

47.6%

54.2%

59.4% and 58.9%

respectively.This indicated that the rate of weight loss and rate of C and N release were slowed down with desertification. During the decomposition process in different sand habitats

release rate of C in litter was faster than that of N;C concentration in litter was decreased in early days of decomposition

and then increased slightly

but C concentration

after decomposition of 110 days

was lower than that at the beginning;N concentration in litter was increased consistently with time.