Soil water deficit was effectively alleviated by higher water infiltration after the short-term forestland-to-farmland conversion in semi-arid area

•Effects of forestland-to-farmland conversion on soil water replenishment were evaluated.•Forestland-to-farmland conversion changed soil porosity and water holding capacity.•Cumulative infiltration improved by 100.33% after forestland-to-farmland conversion.•Forestland-to-farmland conversion short-term effectively replenished soil water deficit.