[Objective] The sand-blocking ability of Tetraena mongolica and Reaumuria soongorica shrubs were comparative studied in the West Ordos area in order to provide a theoretical basis and data support for the protection of plant diversity and conservation of rare and endangered species in the transition zone between native grassland and desert. [Methods] Nebkhas of Tetraena mongolica and Reaumuria soongorica were studied in the West Ordos National Nature Reserve. The morphology and growth of Tetraena mongolica and Reaumuria soongorica were systematically determined by typical sampling methods to determine the relationship between the morphology and development of nebkhas, and to determine the sand-blocking ability resulting from the specific morphology of Tetraena mongolica and Reaumuria soongorica. [Results] ① Both Tetraena mongolica and Reaumuria soongorica nebkhas showed a semi-ellipsoidal development strategy, and the morphological parameters of Tetraena mongolica nebkhas were significantly larger than those of Reaumuria soongorica nebkhas (p<0.05). ② There was a significant correlation (p<0.01) between both Tetraena mongolica and Reaumuria soongorica shrubs and the morphological parameters of sand piles (except shrub height). There were quadratic relationships between the long axis and height, the short axis and height, and the radius and height of sand piles for Tetraena mongolica, indicating that Tetraena mongolica may enter the declining stage. There were linear relationships between the long axis and height, the short axis and height, and the radius and height of sand piles for Reaumuria soongorica, indicating that Reaumuria soongorica nebkhas were still developing. ③ When the crown area (S_p) was less than 1.44 m², the volume of a Reaumuria soongorica shrub was larger than that of a Tetraena mongolica shrub. When S_p＞1.44 m², the volume of a Tetraena mongolica shrub was always larger than that of a Reaumuria soongorica shrub. The sand volumes intercepted by a unit crown area of Tetraena mongolica and Reaumuria soongorica shrubs were 0.13 m³ and 0.06 m³, respectively. [Conclusion] It can be preliminarily surmised that the sand-blocking ability of Tetraena mongolica is greater than that of Reaumuria soongorica. Overall, the adaptability of Tetraena mongolica to a windy-sandy environment is greater than that of Reaumuria soongorica, and the ability of Tetraena mongolica to intercept sand material increases as crown area increases.