• Vegetation covers 70% of the Earth's surface and is a crucial ecosystem component. As an essential pathway for nature-based solutions, vegetation restoration has been proven effective in absorbing carbon dioxide, preventing soil erosion, and maintaining biodiversity. However, large-scale vegetation restoration also brings some problems. Past studies have found that revegetation consumes more surface water resources and reduces runoff, which may create potential conflicts with human water use. These adverse effects are particularly severe in arid and semi-arid regions.