Aims The distribution area of shrubs or subshrubs continues to increase in arid and semi-arid areas，which can significantly change the original vegetation landscape and ecological process, but there is a lack of research on shrub species replacing herbaceous species in the long-term enclosure process, which affects the composition, structure and function of grassland communities. Methods In order to reveal the response characteristics of enclosed grassland vegetation and soil to shrub encroachment, the response of long-term enclosed grassland vegetation and soil characteristics to Caragana brachypoda encroachment was investigated by site observation of plant community (species importance value, richness, diversity and biomass) and soil characteristics (soil moisture, nutrients, pH) at different times (2010, 2016 and 2021) in the same enclosed grassland in semi-arid loess area. Important findings The results showed that: (1) Caragana brachypoda has replaced herbaceous plants as the dominant species of enclosed grassland. The shrub biomass and total biomass and the coverage and height increased significantly, but the community density was less affected; (2) The Patrick richness index, Simpson diversity index and Shannon-Wiener diversity index of grassland community were significantly decreased, while the Pielou evenness index was significantly increased due to the encroachment of Caragana brachypoda; (3) Shrubbery significantly increased the bulk density of deep soil (60-100 cm). There was no significant difference in soil water content, but the soil water storage decreased first and then increased with the increase of soil depth; (4) The soil organic carbon content in the grassland invaded by Caragana brachypoda increased significantly in the shallow soil layer (0-60 cm). There was no significant difference in soil total nitrogen content with soil layer. The soil total phosphorus content increased significantly throughout the soil profile (0-100 cm). There is no significant change in pH. The results showed that shrubbery changed the aboveground-underground process of grassland community, and the response of vegetation and soil may be inconsistent. The research results can provide theoretical and practical support for community succession theory and adaptability and sustainable management of shrubbery grassland.