Tamarix nebkhas (nebkhas) has been widely planted to stabilize sand movement and develop soils along desert margins. The influence of this man made localized landscape on insect diversity is not well known. Some groups of beetles are well adapted to life in the arid and thermally stressing environments found in desert regions. In 2005 and 2006, we investigated the species diversity and abundance of beetles in the litter-layer in areas planted with T. nebkhas and bare patches between these in the northern edge of Taklamakan desert, the biggest sand dune area in China, and second in the world in terms of sand dune movement. Six nebkhas areas and contiguous bare patches were monitored from June to August in both years by pitfall traps. Beetle in each trap were collected at half-month intervals, and kept in alcohol for later identification. A mark-recapture method was employed to estimate the density of beetles and the probability of movement between nebkhas. The community of litter-layer beetles in the T. nebkhas was higher and stabilized than in bare patches. In 2005 and 2006 the total number of beetles collected in the T. nebkhas, 360 and 209 in each year, was greater than in bare patches,209 and 158. Some 21 species of litter-layer beetles were observed in the T. nebkhas and 10 species in bare patches in 2005, with 16 species and 12 species trapped in each patch type in 2006. Species richness, Shanon-Weiner index and Evenness 21 species of litter-layer beetles were observed in the T. nebkhas and 10 species in bare patches in 2005, with 16 species and 12 species trapped in each patch type in 2006. Species richness, Shanon-Weiner index and Evenness index were higher at the T. nebkhas areas than in bare patches, and Simpson Index was greatest in bare patches in 2005.Based on mark-recapture the density of Penthicicus koltzei Reitter was higher in T. nebkhas areas (13/m²) compared to bare patches (6/m²). Areas planted with T. nebkha act as a refuge for conserving P. koltzei and other beetles in desert areas. Movement of beetles was very localized. Only one beetle was recorded as moving from on nebkhas to another, a distance of 30 m. This implied that beetle in nebkhas might be independent, and refuges are highly localised. There was high seasonal variability in the litter-layer beetles species abundance and biodiversity in the two types of patchy: the beetle density in both areas peaked in the June, 2005 and July, 2007. This may be attributed to the abundance of food for beetle in different season and the effect of microhabitat, particularly moisture effects in harsh desert areas. The nebkhas alongside deserts offer a refuge, sustaining the diversity of beetle. Expanding the creation of the distinctive landscape composed of nebhkhas and its biodiversity, provides a buffer between desert and agriculture reclamation should be a priority.