[Objective] Under the background of artificial interference

the effects of different land use types on soil physicochemical properties in the karst gorge area were investigated in order to provide some supports for the environment protection and sustainable development in karst mountainous area.[Methods] Huajiang Karst Gorge Demoustration Zone of Guizhou Province was selected as the research area. Where the soils from different land use types of rocky desertification area were sampled and the physicochemical properties were assayed.[Results] (1) Soil moisture content was relative high at deeper soil layer. Soil moistures sampled from different land use types had a layer averaged rank as:closed mountain land >runoff land >slope-transformed terrace land >shrub land >abandoned land.(2) Filed moisture capacity of slope-transformed terrace with Chinese prickly ash established on it was higher than that of abandoned land.(3) The rocky desertification usually had the properties of dispersed soil particle

damaged soil structure

and declined soil permeability ability. The rank of porosity is:forest land >slope-transformed terrace >natural shrub >arable land >abandoned land.(4) Total potassium content is higher and positively correlated with pH values. The nitrogen content is below the country-wide mean level

soil nutrients are insufficient.[Conclusion] Land use patterns which have different soil features are the synergetic effects of rocky desertification grades and land use measures. The water carrying capacity and nutrition in the soil of Huajiang area were evaluated to be at low level and the products on it are low. Where the lands are not appropriate to be cultivated. Hence

it is suggested that the present cultivated lands should be dwindled; And meanwhile economic forest lands and grasslands be enlarged; and again the natural forest lands should be preserved.