In this paper,the effects of desertification on litter decomposition,carbon and nitrogen release were studied using mesh bags in Horqin sandy land.The results showed that the dry weight remaining rate of litter at the 110 d was 38.5%,40.8%,45.2%,55.6% and 58.8%,respectively,in potential,light,moderate,severe,and most-severe desertification sand land,while percentage of C remained in litter was 37.1%,36.6%,41.4%,53.6% and 51.1%,and N remained was 43.8%,47.6%,54.2%,59.4% and 58.9%,respectively.This indicated that the rate of weight loss and rate of C and N release were slowed down with desertification. During the decomposition process in different sand habitats,release rate of C in litter was faster than that of N;C concentration in litter was decreased in early days of decomposition,and then increased slightly,but C concentration,after decomposition of 110 days,was lower than that at the beginning;N concentration in litter was increased consistently with time.