Water erosion processes are the focus of soil erosion research driven by disciplinary development and social demands. By summarizing and analyzing the studies of water erosion

this paper discussed: (1) the concept and study methods of water erosion;(2) the main content and achievements of water erosion processes studies

mainly including detachment-transport-deposition on hillslope

erosion-transport-accumulation in watersheds

and water erosion models. Finally

research challenges and future directions were also provided

including water erosion mechanisms

multi-scale features of water erosion

and the mechanisms of soil and water conservation practices.