Abstract: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.