Demographic variation and biomass allocation of Agropyron cristatum grown on steppe and dune sites in the Hunshandake Desert, North China

Demographic and biomass allocation patterns of Agropyron cristatum were measured on steppe and dune sites in the Hunshandake desert of North China in 2001 and 2002. Total plant population, reproductive shoot densities and its differentiation rates were significantly higher in the steppe sites in both years. Plant heights for both vegetative and reproductive shoots were greater in the year with the higher rainfall. The dune sites had a higher biomass allocation to vegetative shoots and roots, while the steppe sites had a higher biomass allocation to reproductive shoots and seed production. It is suggested that the population demography and biomass allocation of the species responded to the differences in the soil variables in the steppe and dune sites.