We examined spatial and temporal patterns of root decomposition for three and half years, from October 1986 to April 1990, in semi-arid Chihuahuan Desert. Decomposition of roots occurred in a two-phased pattern: an early period of rapid mass loss followed by a period of slower loss. The rate of root decomposition had a high negative correlation with the initial lignin concentration in roots (r=-0.84, p<0.05). Annual mass loss rate of Baileya multiradiata, a herbaceous annual, was the highest with the value of 0.60, while that of Panicum obtusum. a perennial grass which was restricted to playa, was the lowest with 0.13. The mass loss rate of roots in the playa was the lowest among the vegetation zones along the transect. After 42 months elapsed, fluffgrass roots in playa lost 40% of the initial mass, while in other sites it lost on average 55% of the initial mass. In all roots except for desert marigold, there was an initial release of nitrogen early in decomposition followed by net nitrogen immobilization. Nitrogen concentration of the desert marigold roots showed linear increase from the beginning. Lignin concentration of perennial grass roots were higher than those of herbaceous annual and woody perennial root.