Abstract: Effects of land use on soil basic properties,such as soil bulk density,soil porosity,texture,organic matter,CEC,etc.,were studied with the Karst Jinfo Mountain Area in Chongqing as an example for case study.Results show that the effects varied with land use intensity.The soil quality of ever-green broad-leaf forestlands is the best,that of cultivated lands the worst,and that of farmlands yielded to afforestation improving.The responses of soil properties to land use displayed a decreasing order of soil organic matter>CEC>clay content>bulk density>soil porosity.Organic matter was found closely related to other soil properties and assumed to be an important factor affecting succession of soil quality of limestone soil in the Karst ecosystem.