The study looked at dry soil layers in the Loess Plateau in north Shaanxi. They found that the dry layer is widespread and varies in severity across different zones. In some areas, the dryness of the soil can be improved with water-saving measures, while in others it is getting worse. The severity of the dry layer ranges from gentle to disastrous, depending on the location. The researchers also noted that soil dryness is influenced by both horizontal differences in rainfall and vertical gradients in small hill areas.