[Objective] Characteristics of soil moisture and soil structure in different land types were studied, and the responses between them were analyzed, to provide a scientific reference for reasonable selection of desertification control.[Methods] Space-time-substitution and paired-sites methods were combined to research soil characteristics in lands with Pinus sylvestris plantation, Populus simonii plantation, Caragana microphylla community, and fencing land, fixed sandy land and shifting sandy land. Soil water characteristic curve was established by membrane pressure gauge, soil mechanical composition was analyzed by laser particle analyzer, soil bulk density was measured by oven drying method.[Results] ① Soil water holding capacity was significantly enhanced by the treatment measures, soil available water content in Caragana microphylla community was the highest of all control measures, which was 0.05 cm³/cm³. ② The soil sand content and soil bulk density were decreased in each treatment. Caragana microphylla community had the best recover effect on silt content, it was 7.49% higher than that of shifting sandy land. The highest clay content was observed in fencing land which was 1.08%. ③ Soil clay content is the main factor affecting soil available water and excess water, the regression coefficients of soil clay content to available and excess water were 2.54 and -2.65, respectively.[Conclusion] Caragana microphylla community and fencing treament can improve the sandy land soil structure and soil water holding storage capacity.