Background and aims <p>Topography-induced changes in soil properties significantly influence vegetation distribution in desert ecosystems. While gravel deserts are generally flat, short gentle slopes are common. However, the effects of these slopes on soil properties and vegetation distribution under arid conditions remain unclear.</p> Methods <p>Utilizing field surveys and UAV technology, this study investigated the effects of short gentle slopes positions and depths on soil properties and vegetation distribution in the Linze gravel desert, Northwest China.</p> Results <p>Soil properties varied with both slope position and depth, even on slope less than 2°. The 0–10&#xa0;cm soil layer showed greater variability than the 10–20&#xa0;cm layer. At the 0–10&#xa0;cm layer, the lower slope position had significantly higher saturated hydraulic conductivity (<i>Ks</i>) but lower silt, gravel content, and soil water repellency compared to the upper and middle positions (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05). The mean <i>Ks</i> across all slope positions was relatively low, averaging only 0.39&#xa0;mm&#xa0;min⁻¹. Considering gravel content significantly improved <i>Ks</i> prediction accuracy (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05). Variations in surface <i>Ks</i> were key to vegetation distribution. Vegetation distribution exhibited a significant downslope orientation pattern, with lower slopes having 2.2 to 3.7 times more coverage than middle and upper slopes (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.001).</p> Conclusions <p>Limited infiltration capacity in gravel deserts led to the redistribution of precipitation across slope positions, even on short gentle slopes, resulting in distinct variation patterns. These findings suggest that lower slope positions are more favorable for native vegetation restoration, offering insights for managing gravel desert ecosystems.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>