Abstract: In our study, the plant functional characteristics in Chinese and Mongolian typical steppe under different grazing methods were investigated. The results showed that the proportion of perennial under settled grazing (SG) was significant lower than the others, the ratio is 57.576%, while the proportion of xerophytes was significantly higher than the others, the ratio is 69.697%. The diversity of functional groups showed that Shannon-wiener and Simpson index at four season nomadic grazing (FSNG) were higher than the others, while Pielou was contrary to diversity index. Correlative analysis of functional groups diversity showed that there was a significantly positive correlation between Shannon-wiener and Simpson index, while negative correlation between Pielou and diversity index. Niche breaths between perennial and annual plants, xerophytes and intermediate xerads were higher, it affected niche overlap. It showed irrational grazing led to degradation of vegetation, which was clearly found to be of lesser economic and ecological value.

Key words: typical grassland, grazing method, functional group diversity, functional group niche