Abstract: For studying Changjiang River basin ecological health state, the paper introduces two assessment methods for soil erosion state, i.e., single index assessment method and synthetic index assessment method. In combination with Changjiang River basins investigation data, a preliminary assessment on the basin ecological health state is conducted by using selected evaluation indexes and evaluation standards, as well as the abovementioned assessment methods. By means of investigation and calculation on soil and water loss indexes of eight typical areas in Changjiang River basin, the results indicate that they are lying in three different stages, in which three regions are in a relative steady phase (health index being 0.6 to 0.7), two regions in a fragile phase (health index between 0.5-0.6), and three regions in a vicious circle phase (health index below 0.5). So the state of soil and water loss of Changjiang River basin is rather serious.

Key words: Changjiang River basin , soil erosion state , soil erosion rate , assessment method