Efficient utilization of check-dam-induced land is one of the important ways to keep the sustainable development of the conversion of arable land into grassland or forestland on the Loess Plateau.An investigation was launched to check soil moisture

organic matter

total nitrogen

and total phosphorous

as well as soil available nutrients in the soil profiles of the check-dam-induced land in Zhifang watershed

the first tributary of Jinghe River.Results showed that land types

in terms of the level of soil available nutrients in different types of lands

followed the descendant order of long-term check-dam-induced land

short-term check-dame-induced land

terrace

and sloping wasteland.The discrepancy of soil organic matter

total nitrogen

total phosphorous and available nutrients among soil layers in the profiles of check-dam-induced lands was insignificant.The supply ability of soil available nutrients demonstrates the sustainability and the sediment in the check-dam-induced lands readily enriches available nutrients

suggesting that there is the great potential for the growth of crop yields.