Soil macropores are important for water flow in cold environments like the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. This study used computed tomography to look at macropores and roots in different meadow soils. Meadow swamp and sub-alpine shrub soils had more macropores than sub-alpine grassland and meadow soils. The roots in swamp and shrub soils were denser. These soils with more macropores and roots allow water to flow deeper. The roots play a big role in creating macropores. Swamp and shrub soils have better water flow than grassland and meadow soils.