Abstract: Urban surface dust is a major concern of urban non-point source pollution, which has been noticed by the scientists abroad since the 1970s, and many research achievements have been made. However, no sufficient recognition was given in China. This paper put forward a new idea about the concept of urban surface dust, summarized the development stages and present status of urban surface dust research both at home and abroad, and brought forward the key points and directions of further research. Urban surface dust is a complex environmental carrier, acting as the “sink” and “source” of pollutants. It is a valuable archive of environmental information, and can act as a useful indicator of local environmental pollution status. The study on urban surface dust should become a new focus of urban environment research in China, which is of significance in urban ecology and in the management of non-point source pollution.

Key words: micro-topography of loess plateau, plant community, species composition, quantitative characteristics, species diversity