The annual and biennial herbs and xerophytes were dominant in every degraded stage of grassland, and played important roles in maintaining stability and ecological function of the community.

• 草地退化过程中物种、功能群组成的变化，基本反映草地生态系统退化、群落结构简单化和环境基质稳定性减弱等一系列植被与生境系统变化的趋向。