Quantitative soil texture investigations using fractal dimensions of soil particle sizes reveal that fractal dimensions have a substantial linear negative association with sand content (>0.1 mm) and a significant power-law positive correlation with clay and silt content (0.05 mm) (P 0.0001). The extent of spatial heterogeneity, however, was not limited to the shrub canopies of the dominating Ammopiptanthus mongolicus communities in the desert region, according to the findings. These findings refuted the hypothesis of the "fertile island effect," which occurs when fine-grained elements, such as dust, are intercepted by plants in a desert ecosystem. We believe that the significant geographical variability found outside of shrub canopies, as well as the absence of spatial connectivity are to blame.
