In the semiarid loess hilly region

the condition of soil moisture under different land use patterns is of importance to agricultural production

vegetation restoration and rational land use.Results from the analysis of soil moisture data under different land use patterns in Sunjiacha watershed show that soil water content on the north-facing slope was higher than the south-facing slope.Soil moisture contents at different depths in the enclosed land of the hill top zone were higher than farmland.The average moisture content in farmland of the gentle slope zone(<15°)was higher than the abandoned field.Soil moisture content of surface layer(0-80cm)in shrub land was higher than the abandoned field

but of the deeper layer(80-180cm)

was lower than barren slope.The average soil water content in pine woodland was higher than apricot forest.These indicated that in the semiarid loess hilly region

terrace's water conservation benefit is the best;apricot forest has higher water consumption than pine woodland and thus

is not suitable for the large scale planting without irrigation conditions;Caragana microphylla can significantly improve surface soil water status and sufficiently use the deeper soil moisture;and in the gentle slope zone

planting crops can enhance soil moisture better than the abandonment.