Revegetation on the Loess Plateau of China changed how soil water moves. By studying stable isotopes in different types of land, researchers found that evaporation mainly happens in shallow soil layers. Soil water in grassland, shrubland, and forestland stays stable at certain depths for months. Rainwater seeps into the soil in different ways, showing mixing. The isotopes are better at tracing water movement than soil water content. Land management choices, like plant type and density, should be considered for successful revegetation.