Abstract: In order to conduct ecological environment restoration in Liudaogou basin located in water-wind erosion crisscross region on the Loess Plateau, the soils in different position of slope under different land uses were sampled in Liudaogou basin and soil water characteristics curves were measured by centrifugal method. Soil retention characteristics and water validity were reviewed based on data. The results showed that indexes of A, S(C(θ)=10^-2) and A*B were suit of evaluating soil water retention ability in Liudaogou basin. At the top part of the slope land, the soil water retention ability and soil moisture validity of farmland, Caragana korshinskii Kom and Artmisa arenaria land were better than that of the Poplar field; at the middle of the slope of land, the soil water retention ability and the soil moisture validity of farmland were the best, which of the Poplar field were the worst; at the bottom of the slope of the land, the soil water characteristics and the soil moisture validity of the Caragana korshinskii Kom were better than that of the other soil under different land uses. So shrub plants with high retention capacity and water validity such as Caragana korshinskii Kom and Artmisa arenaria, should be chosen to use for vegetation Restoration in Liudaogou basin.