The researchers analyzed soil moisture in a gully catchment on the Loess Plateau in China to understand how land use and environmental factors affect soil water distribution. They found that cropland had the highest soil moisture, while wasteland and woodland had the lowest. Soil moisture decreased with depth in wet conditions and increased in dry conditions. Land use was the main factor influencing soil moisture variability, especially in wet and medium moisture conditions. Slope aspect also played a role in some areas. The study suggests that a mix of land uses can help prevent soil erosion, and practices like intercropping and irrigation can improve vegetation growth and agriculture.