The carbon isotope composition of C3 herbaceous plants in loess area of northern China

13C of 367 C3 herbaceous plants was measured in loess area in northern China. Their δ13C values vary between −21.7%. and −30.0%., with a mean of −26.7%.. In the center of Loess Plateau (semimoist area) with annual precipitation of 400–600 mm, the δ13C values of C3 herbaceous plants range from −24.4%. to −28.5%., with a mean of −27.5%.. In the west of Loess Plateau (semiarid and arid area) with annual precipitation less than 400 mm, they range between −21.7%. and −30.0%., with a mean of −26.2%.. Annual precipitation is the main factor that makes δ13C values of C3 herbaceous plants in the west greater than those in the central Loess Plateau. The composition of δ13C in C3 plants increases with deceasing annual precipitation, and the mean change is −49%./100 mm.