Abstract: Observations on the growth and differentiation of Leymus chinensis growing in greenhouse under controlled temperature and light intensity show that there was a significant plasticity for the growth of clonal modules. Lower temperature in a long period shading significantly inhibited the differentiation of rhizome and ramet modules (P<0.05), but did not affect tillering. Such an ecological adaptation would benefit Leymus chinensis to adapt to environmental changes.

Key words: Leymus chinensis, Clonal module, Plasticity, Temperature, Light intensity, Pinus sylvestris varmongolica, close-to-nature forest management, forest stand type, insect community diversity