The purpose of this study is to provide database and theoretical basis for the comprehensive controlof soil and water loss on the Loess Plateau of China by studying land use change and its driving forces inShanghuang small watershed based on land use change map.Methods employed include RS/GIS and statistical analysis.Results showed that land use changes in the small watershed can be divided into three phases according to the change in the landscape matrix whereby the dominant land use was grassland（1982-1990）,cropland（1990-2002）and forestland（2002-2008）.The land use in Shanghuang small watershed greatlychanged in recent 30years,mainly including substantial increase in forest and grassland area,decrease insloping arable land and expansion of orchard area year by year. It is concluded that land use change is an important factor to impact soil and water loss,and soil and water loss can be reduced by adopting rational landusestructure.