Based on the theory of ecological footprint, and as land use/cover change the breakthrough point in Loess hilly area, the ecological carrying capacity analysis method was used to calculate the ecological carrying capacity of Shanghuang experimental area. The results showed that the total ecological carrying capacity in 1982, 2000 and 2010 were 242.47、750.53、929.68 hm2. Meanwhile the per capita ecological carrying capacity in 1982, 2000 and 2010 respectively were 0.67、1.47、1.86 hm2, the ecological carrying capacity was growing up year after year, which shows that the ecological carrying capacity of the study area steadily increased. Expanding the productive land area and continuous improvement of the land ecological production capacity were the reasons; in particular, the latter is the key. This paper provides a feasible method of quantitative evaluation of land use impact on the ecological environment