Abstract: Calculation of the value of water and soil conservation is of an important significance for sustainable land use and coordinate ecological and environment development. A case study of calculating the value of water and soil conservation in the Guanzhong-Tianshui economic zone in 1980, 2000, 2005 and 2010 was carried out based on the remote sensing data, DEM data and statistical data using the geographic information system and remote sensing means. The calculated results showed that the value of water and soil conservation in the Guanzhong-Tianshui economic zone was increased year by year, its increase trend became more significant, and it was increased by 2.54×10¹⁰ yuan during the period from 1980 to 2000, by 1.56×10¹⁰ yuan during the period from 2000 to 2005, and by 3.59×10¹⁰ yuan during the period from 2005 to 2010. In which the value of water and soil conservation was high in cultivated land, woodland and meadow, but low in waters, urban and rural construction land and unused land. In addition, there was a positive correlation between the distribution of value of water and soil conservation and vegetation coverage. In order to improve the value of water and soil conservation in the study area, it is suggested to strengthen the protection of basic farmland and woodland and grassland construction, and improve the coverage of woodland and meadow.

Key words: land use, soil erosion, soil conservation quantity, value of water and soil conservation, Guanzhong-Tianshui economic zone