Soil pH, total soil salt and eight main salt ions (K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl^-, SO₄^2-, CO₃^2- and HCO₃^-) in soils under and in-between groves of Tamarix romasissima，Halostachys caspica，Halocnemum strobilaceum in two habitats, i.e. saline meadow and shrubland, were analyzed in order to explore effects of habitat and shrub species on salt island effect of halophytic shrubs in north Tarim Basin. Results show that in the saline meadow only under the grove of Halocnemum strobilaceum in the saline meadow, significant salt enrichment was observed in the soil, forming a salt island, while in the shrubland salt island effect was found in soils under all the three halophytic shrubs. That under Halocnemum strobilaceum was the most significant whereas under tamarisk the least. Data analysis further suggested that the salt island effect varied in strength with the halophytic shrub species and the habitat they grew in, that is to say, the salt island effect of halophytes and plants high in salt tolerance in salt-rich habitats is more obvious. And changes in habitat or plant species also influence to a varying extent enrichment of salt ions in the salt island. Intensified salt island effect accelerates degradation of saline meadow into halophyte-dominated desert in north Tarim Basin, Xinjiang.