[Objective] To understand dominant shrub caloric value characteristics and study relationship between caloric value and species diversity index, in order to provide scientific basis for vegetation ecological restoration and biodiversity protection in typical areas of the Irtysh river watershed in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.[Methods] We determined the caloric value, calculated the diversity index of dominant species and analyzed the correlation between calorific value and diversity index.[Results] The caloric value ranged from 15.20 to 19.60 MJ/kg across all species, with a mean value of 17.32 MJ/kg, which is close to that of worldwide terrestrial plants. The caloric values of the dominant shrubs were in an order of Betula rotundifolia > Spiraea hypericifolia > Juniperus Sabina > Juniperus sibirica > Spiraea media > Potentilla fruticosa > Rosa oxyacantha > Sophora alopecuroides > Calligonum leucocladum > Krascheninnikovia ceratoides > Calligonum rubicundum > Tamarix chinensis > Haloxylon ammodendron > Krascheninnikovia ewersmannia. Calorific value was positively correlated with species diversity index, richness index and evenness index, and negatively correlated with dominance index, but not significantly. The calorific value of the dominant species in the study area is higher than that of the primary biomass raw material, which indicates that the shrub has a high calorific value.[Conclusion] The calorific value of dominant species of plants is higher, and has the potential as an energy plant. The dominant species can be used as a reference of pioneer plants for the vegetation restoration and soil and water conservation. The calorific value of dominant species is influenced by plant species and organs, and the correlation between caloric value and species diversity is poor.