Vegetation restoration is a key measure to improve eco-environment in the Loess Plateau of China.To explore characteristics of the evolution of soil microbes after closure of hillsides for management of eroded hilly Loess Plateau,biomass and respiration of soil microbes and physico-chemical properties of the soils under natural shrubs(Sophora davidii,mixed boskage)different in history of the closure in Zhifanggou Catchment were studied systematically by means of substituting temporal serial with spatial serial.In addition,two pieces of grazing field and natural secondary forest(Platycladus orientailis,Quercus liaotungensis)each were chosen as contrast.Results show that soil quality,including biomass,respiration and metabolic quotient of soil microbes and physical and chemical properties of the soil,was gradually improved along the chronosequence of vegetation restoration.Microbial biomass C,N and P(SMBC,SMBN and SMBP)increased remarkably after 5 years of closure and management and kept on increasing gradually with each passing year in the southern slope.