Based on the spatial landuse database of Pucheng County in Shaanxi Province

fractal dimension and stability of landuse types are studied by using GIS technology and fractal theory.The landuse is classified into 6 types: cropland

garden plot

woodland

grassland

industrial and residential areas

and other lands.The fractal dimension for the patches of the landuse types is analyzed.Results showed that all the landuse types have fractal characteristics and the fractal dimension(D) values vary from 1.344 to 1.522.In terms of the landuse stability given by the fractal dimension

the order of the landuse types from high to low is woodland

industrial and residential areas

other lands

cropland

grassland

and garden plot.Complicated geomorphic type is of importance to the fractal dimension of landuse type and the fractal dimension values may better indicate landuse structure and stability.Fractal dimension can be used as an effective index in the researches on landuse structure in Pucheng County.