[Objective] To analyze the temporal and spatial variability of soil erosion intensity in Loess Plateau of Northern Shaanxi Province in 2000, 2007 and 2012, and to provide the support for the implementation of grain for green project in this region.[Methods] With the support of GIS and RS technology, we conducted a quantitative research based on the RUSLE model and ArcGIS 9.2 and analyzed the temporal and spatial variability of soil erosion intensity in Northern Shaanxi in 2000, 2007 and 2012.[Results] During the 13 years, soil erosion tended to decrease over time, and the soil erosion in 2012 dropped by 1 162 t/(km²·a) compared with 2000. Compared with the 2% of the total area in 2000, the area with an erosion modulus less than 2 500 t/(km²·a) in Zichang County accounted for 26% in 2012. The soil erosion was moderate in 2000, but was slight in 2012 in most areas. The drastic change mainly occurred in the hilly areas in Zichang, Ansai and Zhidan Counties.[Conclusion] Vegetation coverage was the main factor affecting the soil erosion, and conversion of slope cropland to forest or pasture is playing an important role in decreasing soil loss.