[Objective] The risk of desertification was evaluated in Loess Plateau to provide scientific basis for the restoration, construction and protection of ecological environment. [Methods] Data of landform, climate, vegetation, soil and other socio-economic data were collected. Spatialization and digitalization were conducted using GIS and remote sensing. Upon which, desertification reasons were analyzed, and evaluation indices and risk assessment model were framed based on index of environmentally sensitive areas. [Results] (1) According to the bio-physical index in the framed model, under the scenario only considering natural factors as soil, climate and vegetation, 25.2% of Loess Plateau was determined as high desertification risk area, where desertification was worst; 62.8% and 11.5% of Loess Plateau were determined as moderate and potential desertification risk areas; only 0.5% was considered having no risk. (2) If both natural factors and human interference were considered, risk area changed: coverages of extreme low, low and extreme high risk levels decreased by 5.6%, 1.1% and 3.8%, respectively; whereas, coverages of lower and higher risk levels increased by 4.4% and 4.5%. [Conclusion] (1) The ESAI model can well explain the spatial distribution pattern of desertification risk of Loess Plateau, and the degree of desertification is gradually weakened from the northwest to the southeast. (2) Human activities have upset the long-term evolved stability of the natural eco-system to some extent, and have narrowed the gap between different risk levels of desertification.