The degree of soil and water loss in Guangdong Province was studied by using GIS technology. Factors relating to the degree of soil erosion

such as slope steepness

slope length

soil

rainfall and geological lithology

were considered. By the method of spatial overlay analysis

the potential danger degree of soil and water loss in Guangdong Province was measured and assessed

and finally a map of its distribution was generated. Analysis results show that most of the soil erosion potential danger areas in Guangdong Province were no risk or light risk areas

which covered more than 80% of the whole province area

mainly distributed in the plains. It is worth noting that the heavy risk areas are the key prevention and protection areas in soil and water conservation

which covered 18.3% of the whole province area and was mainly scattered in hilly areas with higher relief and larger rainfall. Once the vegetation in these areas is destroyed

they are prone to erosion.