Forests in the Loess Plateau of western Shanxi province help reduce rainwater runoff in small watersheds. By studying a specific watershed and its branches, researchers found that forests play a key role in decreasing the amount of runoff during the rainy season. The study used a system clustering analysis to compare different land-use types and forest coverage. Artificial forests, with proper soil preparation, were found to effectively adjust runoff and reduce peak flow during heavy rainfall. This research shows that forests can have a significant impact on managing water flow in similar topographical areas.