Spatial and temporal variability of soil properties under Caragana microphylla shrubs in the northwestern Shanxi Loess Plateau, China

► Caragana microphylla shrubs induce spatiotemporal heterogeneity of soil properties. ► Development of C. microphylla shrubs creates fertile islands. ► Intensity of fertile islands is affected by the increase of the shrub age. ► C. microphylla shrubs facilitate the development of herbaceous species diversity.