Species diversity during desertification on Kerqin sandy land

This paper analyes the changing characteristics of species diversity during the process of desertification in Kerqin, Inner Mongolia. The species diversity indices show that desertification is a process of biodiversity loss. In particular, specialized species are wiped out first, rare species vanish second, and then common species begin to disappear. Change in life-form composition indicates that perennial herbaceous and scrubby plants are severely affected by desertification, whereas annuals and semi-shrub species occur at all stages of desertification.