To reveal the impact of different rainfall intensities on the changes in soil moisture content of sandy land under vegetation differences in high-cold and semi-arid regions. Based on the monitoring data of soil moisture, rainfall, and fine root distribution during the plant growth season from May to September 2020, 2021, and 2022, the response of soil moisture at a depth of 0-200 cm in each habitat to light, moderate, and heavy rain was analyzed using trees, shrubs, and bare land in the eastern edge of the Qinghai Gonghe Basin. The continuous dynamic monitoring results indicate that under heavy and moderate rain conditions, the response time of soil moisture to rainfall increases with the increase of soil depth. The maximum response depths of soil moisture in tree and shrub forests to moderate rain and heavy rain are 70 cm and 100 cm, while the maximum response depths of bare land to moderate rain and heavy rain are 50 cm and 100 cm. As the depth of the soil layer increases, the supplementary effect of light rain on soil moisture of trees, shrubs, and bare land gradually decreases; The supplementary effect of moderate rain on soil moisture in shrublands gradually decreases, while in tree forests it is the opposite; During heavy rain, the coefficient of variation of tree and shrub forests shows an S-shaped change, indicating a significant layered utilization of soil moisture by heavy rain. The spatial variation of soil moisture and its response to rainfall in different vegetation types are influenced by the interception of vegetation canopy on precipitation redistribution. Principal component analysis between soil moisture and environmental factors shows that canopy closure, leaf area index, soil bulk density between 150-200 cm, fine root biomass density, root surface area density, root length density, and specific root length are significant factors reflecting soil moisture in the study area (P ＜ 0.05). Research has shown that there are significant differences in soil moisture content of vegetation with different rainfall intensities. The establishment of tree and shrub vegetation on sandy land in alpine and semi-arid regions can enhance the water storage capacity of deep soil layers; The results can provide scientific basis for the restoration of sandy land and the prevention and control of soil erosion.