[Objective] The importance of soil and water conservation function was evaluated in order to provide references for reasonable function division and measures of soil and water conservation in Jiangsu Province. [Methods] According to the characteristics of natural environment

social economy

land use and soil erosion in Jiangsu Province

the importance of soil and water conservation function and its spatial distribution were comprehensively evaluated. Four soil and water conservation functions including soil conservation

farmland protection

water quality maintenance and living environment maintenance was selected. [Results] The importance of soil and water conservation function in Jiangsu Province was at a higher level. The function area of utmost and moderate importance accounted for 42.10% and 46.44% of the total area

respectively. The main soil and water conservation functions were soil conservation and farmland protection in the northern of Jiangsu Province

farmland protection and water quality maintenance in the central

and water quality maintenance and living environment maintenance were in the southern of Jiangsu Province. [Conclusion] The evaluation results revealed the importance of soil and water conservation function and its spatial distribution.