Abstract:Soil erosion is a major agricultural and environmental threat worldwide, with a negative effect on soil fertility, crop production, water quality, and aquatic ecosystem. Controlling erosion is crucial to sustaining agricultural yields and reducing environmental damages. This paper analyzes the studies on soil erosion processes and its conservation practices, and also reviews China's experience and research progress in past soil and water conservation efforts. Based on the analyses, a proposal is put forward for the prospective studies of erosion mechanisms, a new paradigm of soil conservation, soil water resource management strategies and goals for ecological civilization, designating to provide scientific basis for policies on the national ecological construction.