Abstract: Based on the ALOS satellite medium and high resolution images, seven landscape types closely related to the ecosystem restoration, farming, and living of Yan’gou watershed, a typical watershed in loess hilly-gully region, were interpreted. The landscape pattern and function of the watershed in 2007 were analyzed with the landscape indices of diversity and heterogeneity, and the landscape distribution suitability of the whole and parts of the watershed were evaluated, combined with the digital elevation model (DEM) data. The results showed that the dominant landscape types in the watershed were bush and forest, which were mainly distributed on the slopes with a gradient greater than 25 degrees. The patch fractal dimension of the watershed was 1.09, suggesting that the general landscape spatial pattern was stable. The area ratio of the three landscape functional types of eco-protection, product economy, and living service was 23:9:1. The suitability of the whole watershed landscape distribution was 0.76, suggesting that the overall landscape distribution was relatively reasonable. However, the land-use suitability of semi-shade slopes and of the areas with an altitude less than 900 m was lower, being 0.74 and 0.02, respectively.

Key words: loess hilly-gully region, small watershed, ALOS imagery, digital elevation model, land-use suitability, landscape function