Abstract: Temporal variations in soil respiration were detected in the area. The relationships between CO_2 evolution rate and temperature for the different communities could be best described by exponential equations. The influence of temperature was more conspicuous at low temperature than at higher temperature. Accordingly, the seasonal variations of soil respiration were not in complete accordance with temperature, especially in the mid-growing season with high temperature. Differences in the temperature sensitivity of soil respiration existed among the different communities. Q_(10) values of all communities were between 2.16～4.92, Picea crassifolia forest at altitude 2750 meters had higher Q_(10) value than other communities, which implied that different vegetation condition could affect the sensitivity of soil respiration to temperature.

Key words: Soil respiration, Soil respiration, Q_(10) value, Seasonal patterns, Qilian Mountains, Air temperature