Abstract:Background and Aims Niche fitness of Artemisia halondendron population, that fixes shifting and semi_fixed sandy soils in Horqin sandy land, rarely has been explored. This study addresses 1) spatial and temporal differences in niche fitness and composite vigor and 2) limiting factors of niche fitness in different habitats. Methods Mathematical models were adapted to calculate composite vigor index (CVI) and niche fitness values of a population of A. halondendron inhabiting shifting, semi_fixed, and fixed sandy lands. Data on CVI and niche fitness were collected by measuring height, size of canopy, branches, and biomass of individuals, as well as soil moisture content, nutrient content, and bulk density. Key ResultsCVI was remarkably low on fixed sandy land, indicating that the ecological function of the population was weakened. Composite niche fitness values for different soils during the growing season ranked: semi_fixed >fixed > shifting sandy land. Moisture fitness values ranked: shifting > semi_fixed >fixed sandy land. As the soil moisture content changed, the limiting layer also changed. It was 15-30 cm in the different sandy lands in July, but with the infiltration of rain water, the layer deepened to 45-60 cm in August. In September, it was 30-45 cm in semi_fixed and fixed sandy lands, but remained 15-30 cm in shifting sandy land. The limiting factors in different habitats were different: soil organic matter content was limiting on shifting sandy land and soil moisture content was limiting on semi_fixed and fixed sandy l ands. Conclusions This study indicated that soil moisture content and nutrient content affected composite niche fitness. The relationship of soil moisture content and nutrient content directly influences composite niche fitness. Their ratio could reflect the importance of organic matter to fine roots, and the population could adapt to the ratio by adjusting the growth of fine roots.