Abstract: Based on reference to some evaluation criteria of land degradation which are commonly used in some international organizations, and the principle of representativeness and universality and serviceability,a tentative standard is worked out for classification and grading of land degradation in China.According to the standard,the land degradation in China has been divided into 4 categories,i.e.wind-induced land degradation,water-induced land degradation,physical land degradation and chemical land degradation.The extent of land degradation in China has also been divided into 4 grades,i.e.light,medium,strong and extremely strong.The evaluation criteria for categorizing and grading are proposed.

Key words: land degradation, classification, degree of degradation, grading