Soil physical and chemical properties of different landuse patterns in semi-arid degraded mountainous areas were investigated. Results showed that soil mechanical composition for different landuse measures had a certain difference. The amount of coarse sand particles and middle sand particles in 0-40 cm soil layer for the landuse with measure was higher than that for the landuse without measure. In 0-100 cm soil layer

the order of landuse

in terms of the largest field water capacity under different landuses

was plantation >artificial grassland > natural grassland; in terms of capillary water holding capacity

the order was artificial grassland > plantation > natural grassland; in terms of soil total porosity

the order was plantation > artificial grassland > natural grassland; in terms of capillary porosity

the order was artificial grassland > plantation > natural grassland; and in terms of soil permeability

the order was plantation > artificial grassland > natural grassland. In 0-100 cm soil layer

the order of landuse

in terms of organic matter content

was plantation > natural grassland > artificial grassland ; in terms of soil nit rogen content

the order was plantation > artificial grassland > nat ural grassland; and in terms of soil available phosp horus content

the order was plantation> artificial grassland > natural grassland. The order sindicate that reasonable landuse can improve soil structure and soil fertility

increase soil permeability

and improve soil conditions. Artificial plantation is bet ter than other landuse patterns. It improves soil properties such as micro aggregates

soil bulk density

water holding capacity

and soil nutrients and is conducive to rapid vegetation recovery.