Abstract: In order to understand the characteristics of sediment transport and its response to rainfall change, runoff change and human activities in the Xiang River, Zi River, Yuan River and Li River Basins of Hunan Province in the past 60 years, the trend analysis, abrupt change analysis, periodicity analysis of rainfall and sediment transport were conducted. Results indicated: (1)The annual rainfall and storm in all four basins and the annual runoff in the Xiang River, Zi River and Yuan River Basins appeared an increasing trend, while the annual runoff in the Li River Basin appeared a decreasing trend. However, the annual sediment transport in all the four basins decreased significantly. (2) There was a consistency in the interdecadal variation trend of rainfall, runoff and sediment transport in each river basin, but the variation ranges were different in different decades. (3) There were no significant abrupt changes in rainfall and runoff, while the sediment transport indicated a significant abrupt decrease in 1998 for Xiang River and Zi River Basins, and in 1994 for Yuan River and Li River Basins. (4) The first main cycle of rainfall and sediment transport in the Xiang River Basin was consistent with the second main cycle of runoff, which were around 53-55 years; The first main cycle of runoff and sediment transport in the Zi River and Yuan River Basins were 35-36 years, which was close to the second main cycle of 43 years for rainfall;The first main cycle of rainfall and runoff and the third main cycle of sediment transport in the Li River Basin was the same, which was 53-55 years. (5) For the base period,the trend was synergistic between rainfall, runoff and sediment transport in the four river basins. While in the changed period affected by the combined action of rainfall, runoff and human activities, sediment transport demonstrated a significant decrease and the trend synergy showed a gradual divergent. This implied that human activities were the main factors causing the reduction of sediment transport. In summary, sediment transport may be regulated through the construction of dams and the configuration of soil and water conservation measures. Through reasonable regulation, we may balance the utilization of natural resources, development of social economy and the improvement in ecological environment.