[Objective] The objective of this study was to provide a theoretical basis for soil erosion control and ecological reconstruction of degraded grasslands, by studying the effects of different vegetation restoration modes on plant community composition, soil moisture content and soil erosion in the degraded desert steppe of Siziwang Banner, Inner Mongolia.[Methods] The characteristics of degraded grassland and soil erosion were used to analyze changes in the plant community, soil moisture, surface runoff and erosion under different vegetation restoration modes. The principal component analysis was used to evaluate the ecological benefits of soil and water conservation based on different vegetation restoration models.[Results] The plant species, total community coverage and aboveground biomass of the three vegetation restoration modes experimental plots in degraded desert steppe were higher than those in grazing natural grassland. The difference in above-ground biomass amounts between the two vegetation restoration modes of "enclosure+ shrub strip + fertilization for rejuvenation" and "enclosure+ loosening soil for re-sowing + grass seed coating" and the grazing natural grassland reached a significant level (p<0.05); The implementation of these three vegetation restoration models effectively controlled soil erosion, making runoff and soil erosion less than that occurring in natural grassland.[Conclusion] The vegetation restoration model of "enclosure+ loosening soil for re-sowing + grass seed coating" has the best ecological benefits for conserving water and soil resources and increasing the stability of communities.