Abstract: We analyzed the temporal and spatial variations of aboveground biomass across different grassland types in the northern foot of the western Tianshan Mountains by field survey in combination with remote sensing image data from 2012 to 2021. The results showed that annual average aboveground biomass of warm steppe, warm desert steppe, warm steppe desert, and warm desert grasslands were 114.65±18.04, 58.67±8.49, 46.56±7.34 and 57.74±8.57 g·m^-2 respectively. Spatially, there was a high-low-high distribution pattern of biomass from north to south with latitude, and a significantly decreased trend from west to east with the increase of longitude (P<0.05). Aboveground biomass of grassland increased spatially with the increases of altitude, while decreased over time, especially in mountain meadow (P<0.05). Our results provide guidance for the sustainable utilization of grassland resources and the development of animal husbandry in the north foot of the western Tianshan Mountains.

Key words: grassland type, biomass, spatial variation, temporal variation