The researchers studied vegetation and soil in a small watershed on the Loess Plateau to understand how different land uses affect plant growth and soil conditions. They found that different types of land had varying amounts of above-ground plant biomass, with farmlands having the highest soil moisture content. Soil water storage was highest in farmlands and lowest in shrub land. The study showed a positive relationship between plant biomass and soil water storage, suggesting that more vegetation can help prevent erosion. Plant biomass was linked to soil moisture and nutrients, but not to factors like elevation or slope.