[Objective] The state of wind erosion and sand resistance of three main natural plant communities

Artemisia ordosica

Salix psammophllia and Caragana microphylla

in Mu Us Sandland

were demonstrated and the efficiency of sand resistance of them was analyzed in order to provide references for desertification control and environment preservation. [Methods] Erosion rods were set upright and the buried scales were observed to calculate the indices of wind erosion and sand resistance by the three communities. [Results] The large vegetation coverage was the high efficiency of sand resistance of these communities had. Under similar terrain condition and the same wind speed

their threshold vegetation coverage were different in erosive season. The critical vegetation coverage for controlling wind erosion of Artemisia ordosica

was about 60%

smaller than those of Salix psammophllia and Caragana microphylla. The threshold vegetation coverage of Salix psammophllia and Caragana microphylla were larger than 60%

but the former was bigger than the one of the latter. Under same coverage

the amount of wind erosion and sand resistance ranked as Salix psammophllia > Caragana microphylla > Artemisia ordosica. [Conclusion] Artemisia ordosica had the most significant efficiency of sand resistance and be promoted to act as the main sand-fixation plant in Mu Us Sandland.