Abstract: Studying the relationship between grassland productivity and climate variation plays an important role on the countermeasure draft, and vegetation and ecological restoration at Yunwushan. Based on long- term climatic data and productivity records of Yunwushan grassland on the Loess Plateau during 1992-2011, grassland productivity, potential climate productivity trends and their correlations with climate variation were analyzed. The results indicated that: 1) During the past 20 years, annual mean temperature increased significantly, with higher increases of temperature in winter and early spring than in summer. Annual precipitation did not show a statistically significant trend, however, rainfall decreased significantly in July. 2) Warming and drought in summer decreased the productivity and potential climate production of grassland, while temperature increases in winter also decreased them. 3) The ratio between grassland productivity and potential climate productivity was 53% which indicated another half increasing chance for grassland production. Proper use and improvement of natural grassland, and development of artificial pastures will further increase the productivity for grassland on the Loess Plateau.

Key words: Ningxia yunwushan nature reserve, grassland productivity, potential climate productivity, climate change