Soil salinization poses a significant threat to agricultural productivity and ecosystem stability in arid regions. However, the mechanisms driving salinization processes remain poorly understood, yet it is critical for developing sustainable land management strategies. This study aims to quantitatively assess the linkage between evaporation losses and salt distribution in an arid desert ecosystem. Using an isotope mass balance model, we estimated soil evaporation loss across different soil layers and vegetation types, and measured electric conductivity (EC). Results indicated that surface soils (0 - 40 cm) had significantly higher salinity than deep soils (40 - 100 cm). Similarly, lc-excess values were more negative in surface soils (-45.2 f 5.4%o) and relatively enriched in deep soils (-28.6 f 5.5%o). Evaporation loss varied widely, ranging from 10%f7% to 96 f 3% across soil layers, and from 16 f 13% to 82 f 8% among vegetation types. Surface soils exhibited higher evaporation losses (74 f 5%) compared to deep soils (59 f 5%). Evaporation loss was negatively correlated with lc-excess but positively correlated with salinity within each vegetation type. These findings demonstrate that while evaporation is the primary driver of surface soil salinization, its impact is regulated by vegetation type. The study highlights the importance for integrated management practices to effectively mitigate salinization in the arid ecosystems.