Abstract: Research on the potential danger of soil erosion in karst area is weak at present. We interpreted the soil erosion intensity in Guizhou Province, a typical karst region, with land use, lithology, and base rock coverage as semantic factors by Geological Information System(GIS) according to Standards for classification and gradation of soil erosion and Techniques standard for comprehensive control of soil erosion and water loss in karst region. Furthermore, we assessed the potential danger of soil erosion in Guizhou by using the soil erosion potential danger index (SEPDI) based on the allowable soil loss value and the soil anti-erosion life. Results suggest that the area of soil and water loss in Guizhou has amounted to 47 831.73 km², dominated by light erosion, with an erosion modulus of 341 t / (km²·a) and a SEPDI of 2.52, indicating high level of potential danger. The SEPDI of 25.3% of villages in Guizhou ranges between 2 and 3, among which Liupanshui, Qianxinan, and Bijie feature the highest risk.We recommend that prevention work should be incorporated into SEPDI rather than merely soil erosion degree, and special attention needs to be given to areas with high SEPDI but weak soil erosion levels.

Key words: soil erosion, karst area, erosion risk assessment, potential danger index(SEPDI), geological information system(GIS) , Guizhou Province