Plant biomass results from a combination of plant and environmental factors. It not only reflects the plant's ability to adapt to the environment and grow, it also reflects the effect of environmental conditions on the plant. The study of a plant's dynamic life processes is important, such as studying its relationships to and the influence of environmental conditions. This information can then be used in analyzing the ecological aspects of a plant's ability to adapt to the environment and in understanding the tactics a plant uses to survive. Ceratocarpus arenarius L. (Chenopodiaceae) is an endemic annual species of central Asia and is widespread in the central Asiatic desert. In China, it grows only in the Junggar Basin, is able to form synusia in parts of Junggar Basin, and is very ecologically important. This amphicarpic species produces both aerial and subterranean fruits. We investigated above and below ground biomass growth dynamics, plant height and root depth of C. arenarius, and analyzed the plant's strategies for ecological adaptation including a study of the soil water content at different stages of its life cycle to better understand how the plants adapt to their desert habitat. During its life, the plant's growth rate in height had an annual pattern of increasing-decreasing-increasing. In April it grows slowly at first and then increases its rate of growth reaching a maximum plant height in May. The growth rate decreases in summer until it quickly increases again in August reaching a second peak in plant height during September. During its entire life cycle, the root length increases most rapidly between April and June, peaking in April, and then decreases. Maximum root depth is achieved in August and then decreases gradually. The root depth is closely correlated to soil water content in different stages of the plant's life history. Soil water content peaks in April, and then decreases rapidly, reaching a minimum in July. Although soil water content rises gradually between August and October, the increase is < 10%. The above ground biomass has two similar peaks, first in May during the initial fruiting stage and later in August to September as the fruit ripens a second time. The below ground biomass increases slowly between March and May and then rapidly peaks during the period of maximum growth. The cumulative dynamics of C. arenarius' amphicarpic biomass reflects its growth characteristics which coincide with its annual life cycle. Reproductive allocation balances the plant's needs to both reproduce and survive. During its entire life cycle, C. arenarius continuously adjust the biomass distribution ratio between its vegetative and reproductive organs, and ultimately reaches a point of high reproductive allocation. C. arenarius begins to flower and fruit about 30 days after germination, at which point it begins its reproductive investment. Later, the reproductive investment increases rapidly, reaching a peak when the fruit ripens. Reproductive allocation exceeds 40%, higher than typical monocarpic herbaceous plants. During a two year investigation into the growth dynamics and biomass allocations of C. arenarius, the above and below ground biomass, root depth and plant height varied from year to year because annual rainfall varied, but the patterns of growth and change were similar. These traits correlate well with an unpredictable desert environment and may increase fitness of the populations. These strategies ensure the species continuously colonizes the ever-changing desert landscape, and are very important in protection against wind and in sand fixation, allowing this species to sustain and restore the local ecosystem, and helping it green the desert landscape.