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Biodiversity is a multifaceted phenomenon involving the variety of organisms present, the genetic differences among them and the plant communities, ecosystems and landscape patterns in which they occur. Many factors affect biodiversity of plants and animals (including birds, fish and insects). Habitat loss is often characterized by vegetation fragmentation or the loss of connectivity in landscapes. The degree of fragmentation is a key indicator. It is noted that fragmentation of natural habitat due to overgrazing, opportunistic cropping and other modifying practices disrupts ecological processes such as energy cycling, creates sub-populations of species and isolates those sub-populations from one another. Biodiversity in Northwest China is discussed. Four specific issues are dealt with: (i) plant responses to grazing management (ii) plant invasions (iii) the responses to management of valued grassland biota (plants and animals); and (iv) the vulnerability of mountain ecosystems to climate change, Case studies from Qilian Shan (Gansu),Tian Shan (Xinjiang) are presented.