Abstract: On the basis of analysing soil and water loss actualities and basic features of Yangtze River basin, the authors first discuss the method of integrated soil and water conservation which takes the mountains, water source, fields, forest lands and roads in a small watershed as one ensemble, then present the effect of this improvement in upper Yangtze River basin. Because of this improvement of controlling soil for more than ten years in upper Yangtze River basin, the soil loss area was decreased from 622 200 km2 in the mid-term of 1980s to 530700km2 in 1999. In soil conservation regions, the intensity of soil loss was decreased 1-2 degrees, vegetation covered rate increased from 35% to 56%, holding capacity in small watershed enhanced more than 30%, runoff coefficient decreased 10%-20% and the peak flow cut about 15%. The agriculture produce and living condition in these regions have been improved, a population of over ten million is living in adequate food and warm clothing and will be better off, economy in small watershed and counties are developing and these have promoted the new countryside construction.

Key words: Yangtze River , soil and water loss , regulation