Abstract: Xiangzikou Weishan is located in hilly red soil areas of Southern China. Water induced desertification there used to be quite serious as a result of integrated effects of long term human irrational activities such as over cutting, steep slope reclamation, etc. The natural conditions such as the plentiful of precipitation, the relatively concentrated occurrence of rainstorms, the hilly character of the area and the granitic bedrock are all the other causes. However, measures have been taken to control desertification since 1982 and remarkable ecological and economic benefits been achieved. The measures taken include: (1) combining closing hillside with afforestation to rehabilitate vegetation; (2) solving the problem of rural energy source shortage through multiple approaches; (3) changing slopeland for farming into for forestry; (4) extensive publicizing of combating desertification; (5) reinforcing institutional framework; (6) implementing of the concerned policies; (7) reinforcing the supervision to prevent desertification. 

Key words: Xiangzhikou Weishan, desertification, cause, control, benefit