Abstract：The study of plant niche and interspecific association of communities at different altitudes can deeply analyze the spatial distribution pattern and ecological function of communities, which has important guiding significance for vegetation restoration and reconstruction of fragile mountain ecosystems in arid areas according to local conditions. In this study, 17 shrub species in 30 plots on the eastern slope of Helan Mountain were investigated as the research objects. Niche width, niche overlap index of Pianka, interspecific association test, and M.Godron stability test method were used to analyze the niche, overall community connectivity and interspecific associations characteristics of shrub species in typical vegetation zones at different elevations (From low to high: Montane xeric shrubland, Montane open grassland, Temperate coniferous forest, Mixed coniferous broad leaved forest, and Cold-temperate coniferous forest). The results showed that: (1) In the shrub community on the eastern slope of Helan Mountain, the ecotope width of Berberis dubia. Schneid and Dasiphora fruticosa was largest, The niche overlap of shrub species in typical vegetation zones at different altitudes was low, and the demand of species for environmental resources was quite different. (2) The overall connectivity of the main species of shrub communities in the mountain dry scrub zone was significantly positively correlated, while that in the mountain open grassland zone was non-significantly positively correlated, and that in other typical vegetation zones was non-significantly negatively correlated. (3) The results of interspecific association analysis showed that in addition to mountain xerophytic shrubs, the number of negative association species pairs in shrub communities of other typical vegetation zones was more than that of positive association species pairs, and most species pairs were not significantly correlated, indicating that the distribution of shrub species in typical vegetation zones at most altitude gradients was relatively independent, and the interspecific association was loose and the correlation was weak. Further analysis showed that with the increase of altitude, the positive and negative association ratio of shrub community decreased first and then increased, and the community stability increased first and then decreased. The study found that the shrub communities of temperate coniferous forest and coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest on the eastern slope of Helan Mountain were the most stable, and the results can provide theoretical support for vegetation ecological protection and sustainable management in arid areas.