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Abstract Evaluation of sustainable development is of great importance to guide the development direction of small watersheds. In this paper, frequency statistics, theoretical analysis and expert consultation methods have been applied to construct a simple and practical sustainable development evaluation index system for the small watersheds in the rocky desertification area, which is composed of four criteria layers (i.e., resource, environment, economy and society) and totally 17 indicators. Taking five small watersheds in Jinsha County of Guizhou Province, namely, Shuijing Bay, Xiaoyang Creek, Nanmu Creek, Wusuo River and Gangou small watersheds for instance, we conducted the standardization of index data based on the statistical data of the year 2010 using the improved threshold method. The weights of the indexes were further determined by AHP, the degree of sustainable development was calculated using the linear weighted evaluation model, and the sustainable development of these small watersheds was quantitatively evaluated. The results showed that the five small watersheds are still on their way to the level of sustainable development. In addition, the principal indicators to the sustainable development were pointed out, and the major factors restricting the sustainable development of the small watersheds in the rocky desertification area were analyzed in order to provide scientific reference for the comprehensive management herein and promote the sustainable development of the aforementioned small watersheds.
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Received: 21 March 2013
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