In this study,10 Nitraria tangutorum populations in six important N.tangutorum distribution areas in Tsaidam Basin were selected as research objects,to make a comparison on the differences in leaf δ¹³C characteristics of different N.tangutorum populations and analysis the correlations between leaf δ¹³C and nutrients contents in leaf and soil,by measuring their leaf δ¹³C,leaf nutrients:organic carbon (C),nitrogen (N),phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) contents and soil nutrients:pH,organic matter (OM),total nitrogen(N),total phosphorus(P),total potassium(K),hydrolysis N,available P and available K contents.The results showed that:(1)there was a significant difference in leaf δ¹³C between different N.tangutorum populations,leaf δ¹³C varied from -27.66‰ to -25.47‰,and their leaf average δ¹³C was -26.66‰.(2)Leaf δ¹³C showed a extremely significant negative correlation with latitude,positive correlation with longitude and positive correlation with altitude respectively (n=10),thus latitude,longitude and altitude were important factors for leaf δ¹³C.(3)Leaf δ¹³C showed a negative correlation with leaf N,P and K contents,but this correlation was not significant (n=30),whereas leaf δ¹³C had a extremely significant correlation with leaf organic C content (n=30).(4)Leaf δ¹³C showed a extremely significant negative correlation between OM,total N and available K contents in surface soil (0~15 cm) (n=30) and a significant negative correlation between total P,hydrolysis N and available P in surface soil (0~15 cm)(n=30) respectively.In addition,leaf δ¹³C was extremely significantly correlated with OM and total N content in soil (15~30 cm),but it had no significant correlation with nutrients content in soil (30~45 cm).In general,latitude,longitude,altitude,leaf organic C content,soil total N,total P,hydrolysis N,available P and available K contents all had significant influence on δ¹³C in leaf of N.tangutorum.