Soil erosion and its control in the loess plateau of China

Abstract. The loess plateau in China is the most developed region of loess in the world in terms of extent, thickness and depositional sequence. It is also the region with the most serious soil erosion in the world. This paper reviews the factors and reasons for soil erosion in this area. The loess is prone to vertical cleavage and its surface soils are soft and loose. Rainstorms are frequent with intense rain concentrated during the summer. Irrational land use and exploitive management have been carried out for thousands of years and express themselves through the loss of grassland and natural forests. Finally, some soil conservation schemes for use in the loess plateau are suggested.