In this study

soils from the sites of 12 vegetation plots were sampled

and plant residue

soil bulk density

capillary porosity

non-capillary porosity and saturated hydraulic conductivity were measured to discuss their variations in different soil layers and vegetation types. Besides

the effects of plant residue and soil properties on the saturated hydraulic conductivity were detected. The results showed that:(1) Soil bulk density increased with the increase of soil depth

while plant residue

capillary porosity

non-capillary porosity and saturated hydraulic conductivity decreased. Plant residue mainly existed in the top soil of 0-10 cm

which accounted for 51.4% to 85.7% of the total plant residue. (2) Soil properties and plant residue differed from vegetation types. In general

forest had the largest plant residue

cropland had the highest soil bulk density

and shrub land had the maximum non-capillary porosity and saturated hydraulic conductivity. While no significant difference of capillary porosity was found between different land use types. (3) Saturated hydraulic conductivity decreased with the plant residue (0-10 cm) and soil bulk density

while increased with capillary porosity and non-capillary porosity. Soil bulk density (BD) and non-capillary porosity (NCP) were key factors that affect the soil saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks)

which would simulated saturated hydraulic conductivity as a nonlinear function (Ks=0.6BD-4.717NCP0.203

p<0.01

R2=0.63

NSE=0.50). Moreover

the shrub land of Hippophae rhamnoides L. had the maximum value of saturated hydraulic conductivity

which would promote the ability of water infiltration during the precipitation and thus had a great effect on soil and water conservation. The results of this study could provide a theoretical basis for evaluating the effects of vegetation restoration on ecological hydrological process on the Loess Plateau.