Abstract: Grassland ecosystems play a key role in maintaining biodiversity and supporting economic activities such as animal husbandry, yet degradation seriously threatens their ecological functions. This study systematically investigated four degradation grades of meadow grasslands in Xiwuzhumuqin (non-degraded NDG, lightly degraded LDG, moderately degraded MDG, and severely degraded SDG), analyzing the relationships between vegetation community structure and soil properties. Results showed that: (1) as degradation intensified, vegetation structure changed significantly, with biomass decreasing by 65.9% from NDG to SDG, coverage declining by 46%, dominant species shifting from Stipa sareptana var. krylovii + Leymus chinensis community to Cleistogenes squarrosa + Hemerocallis citrina community, and a decrease in graminoid importance values with a corresponding increase in forb importance values; (2) species diversity exhibited a non-linear pattern, with MDG having higher Shannon-Wiener and Margalef richness indices than NDG, while SDG showed significantly lower diversity, suggesting that moderate disturbance might promote diversity; (3) soil physicochemical properties and nutrient status deteriorated with increasing degradation, with topsoil SOC, TN, and TP decreasing by 63.5%, 55.8%, and 56.9% respectively, while bulk density increased by 28.2%, pH decreased, and electrical conductivity increased; (4) principal component analysis indicated that soil nutrients were the key factors driving vegetation distribution (contributing 71.6%), forming a feedback mechanism between nutrient loss and vegetation degradation. This study reveals the response relationships in the vegetation-soil system during grassland degradation, providing a scientific basis for ecological conservation and restoration of meadow grasslands in Xiwuzhumuqin.