Influences of fencing on vegetation and soil properties in mountain steppe

The influences of fencing on vegetation and soil properties of typical steppe located on the middle section of northern slope of Tianshan Mountain were studied. The results showed that compared with nnfenced stepped, 1) the aboveground biomass, height and coverage of fenced steppe were obviously increased; 2) the soil physical properties were improved and the soil compaction was increased at 2.5 cm depth, whereas the compaction was decreased within 5 to 10 cm; 3) the contents of soil nutrient contents were increased. The content of soil organic matter was significantly increased by 14.8% and the available phosphorus content was significantly increased by 68.3%. But the contents of available nitrogen and potassium were not significantly increased. So, fencing was the proper way for the restoration of the grassland ecological environment.