Soil erosion risk was graded using results from an analysis of soil erosion characteristics based on Geographical Information System ARCGIS.The process of grading the potential danger of soil erosion and its spatial distribution is straightforward in ARCGIS.Firstly,soil erosion modulus is estimated using a water erosion model,and maps of soil density and soil horizon thickness are derived from detailed soil survey data.Then,the temporal character of soil loss is calculated using soil erosion modulus,soil thickness and soil density.Next,in line with Ministry of Water Resources.classification standards,the potential danger of soil erosion is divided into five grades and an index of soil erosion potential danger( SEPDI) is established.The SEPDI has been tested in a case study in Fengdu County in the Three Gorges area,with ARCGIS used to assess erosion potential distribution characteristics.