One of the core problems in soil erosion research is the estimation of soil erosion. It is a feasible method and technical approach to estimate soil erosion in Loess Plateau region by using USLE model, GIS and RS technology and using DEM data, meteorological data and land-use type data. With the support of GIS and RS technology, the USLE factors and soil erosion in Loess Plateau region were estimated, and the soil erosion intensity was classified according to the Chinese soil erosion intensity classification standard. The results can provide reference for the development of soil erosion control measures in the Loess Plateau.

Through the combination of the geographic information systems (GIS) and the integrated information model, the stability of regional bank slope was comprehensively evaluated. First, a regional bank slope stability evaluation index system was established through studying seven selected factors (slope grade, slope direction, mountain shadow, elevation, stratigraphic lithology, geological structure and river action) that have an impact on the stability of the slope. Then, each factor was rasterized by GIS. According to the integrated information model, the evaluation index distribution map based on rasterized factors was obtained to evaluate the stability of the regional bank slope. Through the analysis of an actual project, it was concluded that the geological structure and stratigraphic lithology have a significant impact on the evaluation results. Most of the research areas were in the relatively low stable areas. The low and the relatively low stable areas accounted for 15.2% and 51.5% of the total study area respectively. The accuracy of slope evaluation results in the study area reached 95.41%.

To deal with problems of traditional geographic information collection, such as low real-time, poor authenticity of the data, and unclear description of detailed areas, a design scheme of remote sensing-based geographic information system is proposed. The system mainly consists of information collection, imaging processing, data storage management, scene control and data transmission module. By use of remote sensing technology, the reflected and radiated electromagnetic waves of the target area are collected from a long distance to form an image, and the hue–intensity–saturation (HIS) transformation method is used to enhance the image definition. Weighted fusion algorithm is adopted to process the details of the image. The spatial database stores and manages the text and image data respectively, and establishes the attribute self-correlation mechanism to render the ground objects in the picture with SketchUp software. Finally, using RS422 protocol to transmit information can achieve the effect of multi-purpose, and enhance the anti-interference of the system. The experimental results show that the practical experience of the proposed system is excellent, the geographic information image presented is clear, and the edge details are clearly visible, which can provide users with effective geographic information data.

This article presents a bibliographic review on the evolution of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and their integration in the social sciences, which is important because the interrelation of these areas contributes to the knowledge of the people. In this sense, the objective was to contribute to the university academic knowledge, through the compilation, classification, analysis and synthesis of scientific works according to the subject treated. For this purpose, the historical, synthetic, dialectical, and analytical methods were used, with a descriptive and documentary type of research, obtaining as a result that the GIS are very useful in different fields of social sciences, ranging from archeology to sociology, including specific topics such as economics and criminology.

The utilization of digital tools in agricultural extension has facilitated information delivery through non-face-to-face interactions. Therefore, this study aimed to map the variation in digital tools used by agricultural extension workers to access and deliver information and analyse the outcomes of farmers’ adoption. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with agricultural extension workers at 11 Agricultural Extension Centers. The data were processed using the N-Vivo qualitative data analysis software. The results showed that extension workers combined various digital tools as sources of extension materials and channels for delivering information to farmers. Although social interaction between agricultural extension workers and farmers occurred non-face-to-face, messages could be adopted by farmers and yield tangible outcomes. This was reflected in the asynchronous communication, allowing extension workers sufficient time to improve the quality of the delivered messages. Farmers also had sufficient time to review the received information content in this context repeatedly. These results implied that although extension content is delivered through non-face-to-face interaction, it can still drive adoption with significant outcomes.

As one of the key initiatives promoted by the Chinese government, precision poverty alleviation aims to lift information-blocked areas out of poverty and ensure their sustainable economic development. Yunnan Province, characterized by its combination of old, young, border, and poor areas, is the province with the most diverse types of poverty, the widest poverty coverage, and the deepest poverty levels in the country. Yunnan has carried out anti-poverty work in tandem with the national efforts for 42 years in a planned and organized manner, ultimately achieving the goal of zero absolute poverty. In this process, digital rural development has played a very important role. Based on the current experience of digital construction in developed regions, completing regional digitalization requires meeting the needs of information resources, information environment, and information supply and demand. Through keyword search, text analysis, and field visits, we summarized the factors considered by local governments in policy formulation. We also attempted to map out the path for rural governments to build digital villages. With the ultimate goal of bridging the urban-rural gap, the study of digital rural development in Yunnan will provide an effective case.