[Objective] The benefits with regard to soil and water conservation

economy and ecological environment in the Yangtze River basin in Gansu Province were evaluated to provide a basis for the realization of sustainable development of social economy in the area of soil and water loss. [Methods] A comprehensive management evaluation system of soil and water conservation in the Yangtze River basin in Gansu Province and calculation method of soil and water conservation benefit(GB/T15774-2008) were used to analyze the benefits of soil and water conservation in the Yangtze River basin of Gansu Province.[Results] The results showed that the cumulative water diversion of various measures was 20.059 billion m3

of which measures on slopes was 20.056 billion m3

accounting for 99.99% of the total diversion water. The cumulative soil conservation by various measures was 0. 359 billion tons

of which measures on slopes was 2.96×108 m3

accounting for 82.45% of the total conserved soil. The economic benefits of terraces

soil and water conservation forest

economic forests and artificial grass were 5.808

18.002

2.969

1.52 billion yuan

respectively

totally 27.999 billion yuan. [Conclusion] Through holding the rainfall runoff

conservation measures effectively reduced the occurrences and damages of droughts and floods in the Yangtze River basin

and also in the sub-regions in it. Consequently

the measures effectively reduced sediment deposition in the downstream channel. Meanwhile

soil fertility was improved and the capacity of soil resistance to erosion was enhanced. Vegetation coverage increased from 1.47% in 1980 to 29.83% in 2011 with an increment of 28.36%.