Study on litter decomposition rates and N, P, K content of litter in different years of enclosure in desert steppe

This study examined the litter of degraded desert steppe among different years of enclosure and the unenclosed grassland in Yanchi. It showed that the litter accumulation reached a maximum in September and October then declined with the time increasing. The litter decomposition rate was gradually decreased with the time. The litter decomposition rates of the enclosed grassland were higher than that of the unenclosed. With time increasing, natural water holding rates of litter reached a maximum and then declined gradually. Both the total nitrogen content of litter and the total phosphor content of litter of the enclosed grassland were lower than that of the unenclosed. The total kalium content of litter reached a minimum at the 5th year.