短花针茅荒漠草原是内蒙古草原的重要组成部分，长期以来，由于过度放牧， 短花针茅草地退化日趋严重。本项目采用野外试验和实验室分析相结合的方法，通过对草地地上植被特征（地上生物量、植被组成、群落结构）环境气候特征（温度、降水、蒸发等））和草地地下界面特征（地下植被特征（生物量、根系形态、分布、密度） 和土壤特征（土壤水分、土壤有机质，土壤养分等））的动态监测，综合分析不同载畜率下荒漠草原植被地上特征对地下特征的响应；植物群体如何通过根冠整合来调节其地上植被特征比例指数和地下的植物植被特征和地上部分关系的差异，探讨载畜率对草地植被、根系和土壤养分及其相互关系的影响，阐明不同载畜率条件下荒漠草原地上、地下的动态特征，揭示荒漠草原生态系统植物种类组成改变的驱动因子及其对外界干扰的响应机制，为该类草地的持续利用提供依据。

Stipa breriflora desert steppe is an important grazing land of Inner Mongolian steppe, for a long time, because of over grazing， the degradation of Stipa breriflora desert steppe becoming more and more serious. In this study, aboveground vegetation characteristics (aboveground biomass, species composition, community structure), climate feature （temperature, precipitation, evaporation etc.）, underground vegetation characteristics (belowground biomass, roots morphology, distribution and density) and soil characteristics (soil moisture, soil organic matter, soil nutrition etc.) will be measured through field investigate and laboratory analysis. The response of aboveground traits to belowground characteristics under different stocking rates in desert steppe will be revealed. Plants root systems adjust to vegetation characteristics, belowground and aboveground interaction will be illustrated. The effects of stocking rate on vegetation, root system and soil nutrients and their interactions will be demonstrated. Dynamic of below and aboveground will be monitored. The mechanism of species composition changes under disturbers in desert steppe will be detected. The purpose is to provide theoretical foundation of sustainable utilization and reclamation of desert steppe.