Abstract: The litter biomass,decomposition rate,soil nutrients and soil physical properties were measured to investigate the improvement process of soil physical properties of artificial shrubs in Maowusu sandy Land.The results showed that there was a big difference in litter biomass among three shrubs,Salix psammophila C was biggest,Hedysarum leave Maxim was second,Caragana korshinskii Kom was least.The litter decomposition rate was affected by both species and environmental factors,the rate of weight loss was under-ground > leach above ground> inleach above ground,the rate of weight loss of Caragana korshinskii Kom was significantly higher than Hedysarum leave Maxim,and Hedysarum leave Maxim was significantly higher than Salix psammophila C under the same treatment.All the three shrubs significantly increased soil organic matter,total nitrogen,total phosphorus content,and increased the role mainly in the 0~25 cm soil.Shrubbery significantly reduced soil bulk density than mobile sand,and increased soil porosity.Artificial sand-fixing shrub forest increased soil organic matter,total nitrogen,total phosphorus nutrient content,reduced soil bulk density,increased soil porosity,improved soil physical and chemical properties through litter decomposition in Maowusu sandy land.

Key words: shrub forest, litter, decomposition, soil nutrients, physical properties