[Objective] To evaluate and predict the natural regeneration potential of Reaumuria soongorica shrub vegetation in the hilly-gullied loess plateau region, we investigated the soil seed bank and its associated vegetation in the upper, middle and the lower slope site. [Methods] Seed germination method and field vegetation survey were both used. Ten plots(2 m×2 m) at each site were established for vegetation investigation and seed bank sampling at layers of 0-2 cm and 2-5 cm. [Results] A total of 4 251 seedlings belonging to 9 species of the soil seed banks were recorded. The soil seed bank density was 100~1 000 seed/m² and the number of species was 0.8~1.2 species/0.01 m². Both the mean seed density(seed/m²) and the mean number of species(species/0.01 m²) were found to be higher in the lower slope site than that in the upper slope site. The mean values of the seed density and the species number for soil seed bank at 0-2 cm soil layer were significant higher than that of 2-5 cm soil layer for all three slope sites. Most of the species found in the soil seed banks and in aboveground vegetations at the three slope sites were herb and Reaumuria soongorica shrub vegetation. The mean density and the mean number of species in the soil seed banks were not correlated with the ones of vegetation. Soil seed bank was found had high similarity(Sorensen's index > 0.60) to its associated vegetation in species composition. And the species richness of soil seed banks was higher than that of aboveground vegetations. [Conclusion] Natural regeneration potential of Reaumuria soongorica shrub vegetation by germination of soil seed banks in the hilly-gullied loess plateau region was low. Once the present vegetation is destroyed, the natural restoration of vegetations is hardly possible. Therefore, artificial restoration strategy in combination with natural regeneration should be applied to promote vegetation recovery.