[Objective] Effects of precipitation on shrub community structure and diversity in Ulanbuh Desert were researched to provide theoretical basis for vegetation conservation and sustainable use of plant resources. [Methods] The relationships between precipitation & community structure

and precipitation & plant species diversity were analyzed using quadrat and precipitation data collected from 2011 to 2013. [Results] Rainfall could significantly affect the numbers of community species and families for three typical shrub communities of Ceratoides latens

Sarcozygium xanthoxylon and Tetraena mongolica. The increases of species and families in the three communities listed as follows as precipitation increased. The numbers of newly emerged species and families in the three communities were: 5 species and 2 families in the first communties

12 species and 2 families in the second communties and 12 species and 6 families in the third communties. For the obvious effects of precipitation on annual herb and perennial herb were observed in three communities of Ceratoides latens

Sarcozygium xanthoxylon

Tetraena mongolica

the effect on shrub and half shrub was observed far small. The increase of rainfall could improve the species richness and diversity of three typical shrub communities. And rainfall increment could homogenize the structures and habitats of Tetraena mongolica and Ceratoides latens. For the three typical shrub community

precipitation had positive correlations with species number

coverage

richness index

evenness index

diversity index

and all coefficients were greater than 0.600 0. [Conclusion] Rainfall had significant impacts on species numbers

coverage

richness

evenness

diversity of the three typical shrub communities.