Assessing the differences in seed composition of distinct microhabitats can clarify the relationship between soil seed banks′ patterns and processes. Knowledge on different seed types′ specific location may explain the spatial pattern of plant recruitment at the microhabitat scale. In this regard, the soil seed bank composition and its density at the southeast edge of the Tengger Desert in Northern China were studied over 12 microhabitats around the Caragana korshinskii shrub. Specifically, we selected 40 individual adult Caragana korshinskii plants in the region and established four compass orientations (at 90° intervals, i.e. northeast \[NE\], southeast \[SE\], southwest \[SW\], and northwest \[NW\]) centered on each chosen plant. In each of the four orientations, a 3m sample line was established from the center of the shrub to the interspace between shrubs. Along each line, three sampling locations were positioned at distances of 0.5m (under the canopy), 1m (the canopy edge), and 3m (the interspace) from the shrub center. A number of conclusions can be drawn from this study. (1) Species′ richness under the canopy was superior compared to that of species situated at the canopy′s edge and the interspace. (2) Soil seed density over different microhabitats varied with species. For the distance gradients from the shrub, Bassia dasyphylla, Salsola ruthenica, Euphorbia humifusa, Chloris virgata, Tragus berteronianus, and Artemisia frigida possessed more seeds under the canopy than in the interspace; Setaria viridis and Cleistogenes songorica yielded more seeds in the interspace than under the canopy, while Eragrostis minor displayed no significant differences in distances. (3) For different orientations, Bassia dasyphylla and Salsola ruthenica contained more seeds in SE, Euphorbia humifusa and Cleistogenes songorica contained more seeds in SW and NW than in SE, Setaria viridis had more seeds in NE than in NW, Tragus berteronianus had more seeds in SW, Artemisia frigida had the least number of seeds in SW with Eragrostis minor, and Chloris virgata had no significant differences in distinct orientations. (4) Seed production in different microhabitats wielded little influence on the spatial distribution patterns of soil seeds. The dispersal and consumption after seed dispersal from the maternal parent significantly disturbed the original patterns of seed production.