Abstract: The Qilian Mountains are an important ecological security shield, known as the “plateau reservoir” and “the stream of life”. They are the main water source in the Hexi Corridor, and even in the northwest China. The alpine shrub meadow on the north slope of Qilian mountains has contributed to the development of regional animal agriculture. Red deer (Cervus elaphus kansuensis) is an important and special grazing animal species in the region. At present, there is a lack of research on the influence of grazing by red deer on the community dynamics of alpine shrub rangeland. Therefore, a study both of topographic effects and the effects of red deer grazing on plant community diversity in grazing systems in alpine shrub rangeland at the northern foot of the central Qilian Mountains was conducted. It was found that: 1) In the shaded slope and valley aspects, β diversity was significantly different under different grazing intensities; in the valley topographic category, diversity nesting was evident; 2) γ diversity was the highest under moderate grazing intensity and there were no significant differences between different aspects. In general, moderate grazing by red deer significantly improved theβ diversities of alpine shrub meadow. Our study aimed to clarify the influence of red deer grazing on community diversity of alpine shrub rangeland and has provided a scientific and theoretical basis for sustainable grazing management on Qilian Mountain rangeland.

Key words: alpine shrubland, alpine steppe, Potentilla fruticosa, Caragana jubata, β diversity, γ diversity