Soil erosion is one of the major global hazards threatening the food security of the world population.Soil erosion can be a result of both natural and anthropogenic processes.Field monitoring and models(numerical and ...Soil erosion is one of the major global hazards threatening the food security of the world population.Soil erosion can be a result of both natural and anthropogenic processes.Field monitoring and models(numerical and physical)are commonly used to quantify soil erosion.However,field methods are time-consuming and the models inherently work with a level of uncertainty.Soil erosion studies in the Himalayas have been mostly carried out using modelling but there is a lack of sufficient field data to validate the results.We quantified soil erosion in a small catchment(Pranmati)in the Himalayas using the fallout meteoric^(10)Be nuclide for the first time.Based on the^(10)Be flux delivery rates determined from global circulation models(GCM),we calculated the rates of soil erosion at discrete points in the hilltop and mid-slope regions of hillslopes.The erosion rates vary between 17 mm kyr^(-1)to 68 mm kyr^(-1).These rates were determined in pristine areas that are unaffected by anthropogenic activities,thus,indicate the background erosion rates in the region.We established empirical relationships with estimated erosion rates and topographic parameters to assess the sediment dynamics in the hillslopes.It was observed that the sediment redistribution process operates differently in the mid-slope region compared to the hilltop region,due to increasing complexity of the active processes in the mid-slope region.展开更多
The topographic factor(LS factor),derived from the multiplication of the slope length(L)and slope steepness(S)factors,is a vital parameter in soil erosion models.Generated from the digital elevation model(DEM),the LS ...The topographic factor(LS factor),derived from the multiplication of the slope length(L)and slope steepness(S)factors,is a vital parameter in soil erosion models.Generated from the digital elevation model(DEM),the LS factor always varies with the changing DEM resolution,i.e.,the LS factor scale effect.Previous studies have found the phenomenon of the LS factor scale effect,but the underlying causes of this phenomenon has not been well explored.Therefore,how the DEM resolution affects the LS factor and how the scale effect of the L and S factors influence the LS factor scale effect remains unclear.To address these problems,we collected 20 watersheds from the Guangdong Province with different topographic reliefs,and compared the corresponding L,S and LS factors at 10-m and 30-m resolution DEMs.Our results indicate that the S factor,heavily influenced by slope underestimation in coarse-resolution DEMs,makes a difference in the LS factor scale effect.In addition,the LS factor scale effect becomes less significant with increasing reliefs,suggesting the possibility of using 30-m DEM for LS calculation in rugged terrains.Our findings on the underlying mechanisms of the LS factor scale effect help to identify the uncertainty in the LS factor estimation,thereby enhancing the accuracy of soil erosion assessment,particularly in regions with different topographic characteristics and contribute to more effective soil conservation strategies and decision-making.展开更多
Soil erosion(SE)is a critical form of land degradation that significantly threatens the health of terrestrial ecosystems worldwide.The Qinba Mountains represent a vital geo-ecological transition zone in China.Therefor...Soil erosion(SE)is a critical form of land degradation that significantly threatens the health of terrestrial ecosystems worldwide.The Qinba Mountains represent a vital geo-ecological transition zone in China.Therefore,analyzing the dynamics of SE in relation to climate changes and land use/cover(LULC)change is essential for guiding ecological conservation efforts in this region.The soil erosion intensity(SEI)from 2001 to 2020 was estimated using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation(RUSLE).For the period of 2021–2040,SEI projections were made based on CMIP6 data,utilizing the Statistical Downscaling Model alongside the CA-Markov model.Variations in SEI under four distinct shared socio-economic pathways were compared.Additionally,statistical methods were employed to evaluate the long-term impacts of climate and LULC change on SE.Findings indicate that between 2021and 2040,both precipitation and rainfall erosivity are expected to increase by approximately 8%–12%and 3%–14%,respectively.Based on differing socio-economic pathways,the soil erosion rate(SER)is predicted to rise by 12%–32%,with SSP2-4.5 anticipated to result in the highest SER.An analysis of contributing factors revealed that precipitation intensity and total precipitation are likely to escalate SE,while elevated temperatures may mitigate it.Among all types of LULC,barren land is particularly susceptible to erosion and remains a priority for conservation.The generated SEI maps will aid in promoting sustainable land use and provide crucial support for mitigating ecological risks from climate change.展开更多
The Darjeeling Himalayan region,characterized by its complex topography and vulnerability to multiple environmental hazards,faces significant challenges including landslides,earthquakes,flash floods,and soil loss that...The Darjeeling Himalayan region,characterized by its complex topography and vulnerability to multiple environmental hazards,faces significant challenges including landslides,earthquakes,flash floods,and soil loss that critically threaten ecosystem stability.Among these challenges,soil erosion emerges as a silent disaster-a gradual yet relentless process whose impacts accumulate over time,progressively degrading landscape integrity and disrupting ecological sustainability.Unlike catastrophic events with immediate visibility,soil erosion’s most devastating consequences often manifest decades later through diminished agricultural productivity,habitat fragmentation,and irreversible biodiversity loss.This study developed a scalable predictive framework employing Random Forest(RF)and Gradient Boosting Tree(GBT)machine learning models to assess and map soil erosion susceptibility across the region.A comprehensive geo-database was developed incorporating 11 erosion triggering factors:slope,elevation,rainfall,drainage density,topographic wetness index,normalized difference vegetation index,curvature,soil texture,land use,geology,and aspect.A total of 2,483 historical soil erosion locations were identified and randomly divided into two sets:70%for model building and 30%for validation purposes.The models revealed distinct spatial patterns of erosion risks,with GBT classifying 60.50%of the area as very low susceptibility,while RF identified 28.92%in this category.Notable differences emerged in high-risk zone identification,with GBT highlighting 7.42%and RF indicating 2.21%as very high erosion susceptibility areas.Both models demonstrated robust predictive capabilities,with GBT achieving 80.77%accuracy and 0.975 AUC,slightly outperforming RF’s 79.67%accuracy and 0.972 AUC.Analysis of predictor variables identified elevation,slope,rainfall and NDVI as the primary factors influencing erosion susceptibility,highlighting the complex interrelationship between geo-environmental factors and erosion processes.This research offers a strategic framework for targeted conservation and sustainable land management in the fragile Himalayan region,providing valuable insights to help policymakers implement effective soil erosion mitigation strategies and support long-term environmental sustainability.展开更多
Soil erosion is the primary factor causing the loss of soil resources and land degradation.Clarifying the current status of soil erosion in China and the characteristics of future changes under different pathways of d...Soil erosion is the primary factor causing the loss of soil resources and land degradation.Clarifying the current status of soil erosion in China and the characteristics of future changes under different pathways of development is important to the global management of soil resources,food security,and ecosystem services.We used the revised universal soil loss equation and the most recent and reliable soil and environmental data to characterize soil erosion in China at present and under typical Shared Socioeconomic Pathways and Representative Concentration Pathways(i.e.,SSP1–2.6 and SSP5–8.5)in the medium-and long-term future(2050 and 2100).The current average rate of soil erosion in China was 14.78 t ha^(-1)yr^(-1),with a total amount of about 14.0 Pg yr^(-1).The amount of total erosion increased by 5.0%,10.8%,9.9%,and 25.9%for scenarios 2050_SSP1–2.6,2050_SSP5–8.5,2100_SSP1–2.6,and 2100_SSP5–8.5,respectively,compared to the baseline amount in 2010.The contribution of climate change and land use to the increase in erosion ranged from 9.5%to 31.5%and-6.95%to-1.78%,respectively,with the contribution of climate change about 2.36-to 7.54-fold larger than the contribution of land use.Converting arable barren land into forest and grassland or adopting conservation tillage practices for farmland,could nevertheless effectively offset the increase in erosion under the four future scenarios.This study provides data and a scientific basis for managing soil erosion in China and provides a useful reference for conserving global land resources and formulating policies to cope with climatic and environmental changes.展开更多
Over the past six decades,the implementation of soil and water conservation measures has significantly reduced soil erosion and sediment yield on the Loess Plateau,China.However,while the overall reduction is well-doc...Over the past six decades,the implementation of soil and water conservation measures has significantly reduced soil erosion and sediment yield on the Loess Plateau,China.However,while the overall reduction is well-documented,the dynamic interplay between soil erosion potential and sediment connectivity,specifically how they spatially covary under land use/cover changes,remains insufficiently understood.To address this gap,this study established a model framework by integrating the revised universal soil loss equation(RUSLE),index of connectivity(IC),and sediment delivery ratio(SDR)to evaluate the spatio-temporal variations in soil erosion and sediment yield in the Hantaichuan Watershed,northern Loess Plateau,China,from 1995 to 2020 and to estimate the effects of land use/cover changes and check dam construction on sediment yield.The results revealed that the soil erosion in the Hantaichuan Watershed decreased by 43.90% from 1995 to 2020 and the sediment yield decreased by 69.28% under the combination of land use/cover changes and check dam construction.The IC and soil erosion(IC-SE)map revealed both the coupling and decoupling covariation relationships between sediment connectivity and soil erosion.By 2020,areas with high connectivity and high erosion(I-E)covered only 18.67% of the watershed,while contributed more than 40.00% to the total erosion.The I-E zones were mainly located in the central part of the watershed where aeolian sands derived from the Hobq Desert are concentrated and were identified as critical areas for soil and water conservation.This study provides support for priority management of watershed conservation measures as well as a valuable reference for future studies.展开更多
The C factor in Universal Soil loss Equation reflecting the effect of vegetation on soil erosion by water is one of the important parameters for estimating soil erosion rate and selecting appropriate land use patterns...The C factor in Universal Soil loss Equation reflecting the effect of vegetation on soil erosion by water is one of the important parameters for estimating soil erosion rate and selecting appropriate land use patterns. In this study, the C factor for nine types of grassland and woodland was estimated from 195 plot-year observation data of six groups of soil erosion experiments on Loess Plateau. The result indicates that the effects of woodland and grassland on soil erosion keep approximately uniform after two or three years' growth. The estimated woodland C factor ranges from 0.004 to 0.164, and the grassland C factor ranges from 0.071 to 0.377, showing that the effect of woodland and grassland on soil conservation is greatly better than that of cropland. The study results can be used to compare or estimate the soil loss from land with different vegetation cover, and are the useful references for land use pattern selection and the project of returning cropland to forest or grassland.展开更多
[Objective] The paper was to construct soil erosion control and circular agriculture mode in hilly red soil of southern China, and analyze its application effort. [Method] The cause of soil erosion in hilly red soil o...[Objective] The paper was to construct soil erosion control and circular agriculture mode in hilly red soil of southern China, and analyze its application effort. [Method] The cause of soil erosion in hilly red soil of southern China and the reason for long-term treatment without remarkable effort were analyzed. On this basis, the key technology, economic benefit, ecological service function and carbon sequestration sink enhancement effect of various modes were further analyzed. [Result] The basic idea for comprehensive control of hilly soil erosion in southern China was as follows: the control of soil erosion was combined with modern agricultural production, in order to build "fruit(tea)-grass-livestock-methane" circular agriculture mode with comprehensive control of soil erosion; application effect analysis showed that the establishment of circular agriculture mode in southern hilly area to control soil erosion had remarkable effect, which could simultaneously meet the coordinated development of ecological, economic and social benefits. [Conclusion] This study established an effective mode suitable for soil erosion control and agricultural protection development in southern red soil mountain, which could drive the sustainable development of ecological restoration of mountainous area and rural agricultural economy.展开更多
In this paper,based on the common soil erosion model,the Three-River Headwaters region was select for study object. GIS methods are applied to conduct Semi-quantitative assessment for different types of soil erosion,a...In this paper,based on the common soil erosion model,the Three-River Headwaters region was select for study object. GIS methods are applied to conduct Semi-quantitative assessment for different types of soil erosion,and some results are concluded. The water erosion occurs in High Mountain and extra-high mountain of Yushu,Nangqian,Banma and Jiuzhi County in the southeast and south of the Three-River Headwaters region. The degree of erosion is prone to topography,precipitation,river and human activity. The freeze-thaw erosion mainly distributes in the northwest of the Three-River Headwaters region. The area of middle and above middle erosion degree accounts for roughly 50%.展开更多
The capacity of soil and water conservation measures, defined as the maximum quantity of suitable soil and water conservation measures contained in a region, were determined for the Loess Plateau based on zones suitab...The capacity of soil and water conservation measures, defined as the maximum quantity of suitable soil and water conservation measures contained in a region, were determined for the Loess Plateau based on zones suitable for establishing terraced fields, forestland and grassland with the support of geographic information system(GIS) software. The minimum possible soil erosion modulus and actual soil erosion modulus in 2010 were calculated using the revised universal soil loss equation(RUSLE), and the ratio of the minimum possible soil erosion modulus under the capacity of soil and water conservation measures to the actual soil erosion modulus was defined as the soil erosion control degree. The control potential of soil erosion and water loss in the Loess Plateau was studied using this concept. Results showed that the actual soil erosion modulus was 3355 t·km^(–2)·a^(–1), the minimum possible soil erosion modulus was 1921 t·km^(–2)·a^(–1), and the soil erosion control degree was 0.57(medium level) in the Loess Plateau in 2010. In terms of zoning, the control degree was relatively high in the river valley-plain area, soil-rocky mountainous area, and windy-sandy area, but relatively low in the soil-rocky hilly-forested area, hilly-gully area and plateau-gully area. The rate of erosion areas with a soil erosion modulus of less than 1000 t·km^(–2)·a^(–1) increased from 50.48% to 57.71%, forest and grass coverage rose from 56.74% to 69.15%, rate of terraced fields increased from 4.36% to 19.03%, and per capita grain available rose from 418 kg·a^(–1) to 459 kg·a^(–1) under the capacity of soil and water conservation measures compared with actual conditions. These research results are of some guiding significance for soil and water loss control in the Loess Plateau.展开更多
[Objective] This study aimed to explore the effects of soil erosion on the productivity of sloping field. [Method] Through removing of and covering with topsoil in a micro-plot experiment, the effect of soil erosion o...[Objective] This study aimed to explore the effects of soil erosion on the productivity of sloping field. [Method] Through removing of and covering with topsoil in a micro-plot experiment, the effect of soil erosion on productivity of sloping field was studied. [Result] The results showed that there was extremely significantly posi- tive correlation between the thicknesses of covered topsoil with either the yield of maize seeds or the yield of maize stalks, which indicated that the yields of maize seeds and maize stalks decreased extremely significantly with the increase of the amount of surface soil loss caused by erosion on the sloping field. The yields of maize seeds and maize stalks decreased by 29.62% and 24.46% respectively in the treatment with removal of a 15 cm thick layer of mature topsoil in the plow layer; the yields of maize seeds and maize stalks decreased by 17.31% and 20.14% re- spectively in the treatment with removal of a 10 cm thick layer of mature topsoil in the plow layer; the yields of maize seeds and maize stalks decreased by 12.69% and 11.51% respectively in the treatment with removal of a 5 cm thick layer of ma- ture topsoil in the plow layer; the yields of maize seeds and maize stalks increased by 10.00% and 9.35% respectively in the treatment with covering with a 5 cm thick layer of mature topsoil in the plow layer; the yields of maize seeds and maize stalks increased by 15.77% and 16.19% respectively in the treatment with covering with a 10 cm thick layer of mature topsoil in the plow layer; the yields of maize seeds and maize stalks increased by 17.69% and 25.18% respectively in the treat- ment with covering with a 15 cm thick layer of mature topsoil in the plow layer. [Conclusion] This study provides a basis for assessing the effect of soil erosion on sloping field.展开更多
Severe soil erosion in the middle and upper reaches of Yangtze River has been regarded as a major environmental problem. The on-site impact of soil erosion on agricultural production and the off-site impact on floods ...Severe soil erosion in the middle and upper reaches of Yangtze River has been regarded as a major environmental problem. The on-site impact of soil erosion on agricultural production and the off-site impact on floods and sedimentation in Yangtze Rive are well known. A quantitative assessment of soil erosion intensity is still scanty for developing appropriate soil erosion control measures for different land use types and zones in this region. This article constructs a localized USLE and estimates the average soil loss in the Jinsha River Region in Yunnan Province, one of the priority areas for soil erosion control in the middle and upper reaches of Yangtze River. The estimation is done under different land uses and zones in this basin. The estimation shows that while soil erosion in the cultivated land is the most severe, 36～40% of the garden and forest land suffers from soil erosion of various degrees due to lack of ground cover and other factors. Soil erosion in the pasture is modest when the ground cover is well maintained. It also confirmed that terracing can reduce soil erosion intensity significantly on the cultivated land. Research findings suggest that sufficient attention must be paid to regeneration of the ground cover in reforestation programs. In addition to mass reforestation efforts, restoration of grassland and terracing of the cultivated land should also play an important role in erosion control.展开更多
In the research, problems and damages of soil erosions in West -East Natural Gas Transmission were analyzed; the reasons were summarized and the characteristics of soil erosion were researched in order to explore prin...In the research, problems and damages of soil erosions in West -East Natural Gas Transmission were analyzed; the reasons were summarized and the characteristics of soil erosion were researched in order to explore principles of pipeline prevention and seek countermeasures.展开更多
The objective of this study is to develop a unique modeling approach for fast assessment of massive soil erosion by water at a regional scale in the Loess Plateau, China. This approach relies on an understanding of bo...The objective of this study is to develop a unique modeling approach for fast assessment of massive soil erosion by water at a regional scale in the Loess Plateau, China. This approach relies on an understanding of both regional patterns of soil loss and its impact factors in the plateau area. Based on the regional characteristics of precipitation, vegetation and land form, and with the use of Landsat TM and ground investigation data, the entire Loess Plateau was first divided into 3 380 Fundamental Assessment Units （FAUs） to adapt to this regional modeling and fast assessment. A set of easily available parameters reflecting relevant water erosion factors at a regional scale was then developed, in which dynamic and static factors were discriminated. Arclnfo GIS was used to integrate all essential data into a central database. A resulting mathematical model was established to link the sediment yields and the selected variables on the basis of FAUs through overlay in GIS and multiple regression analyses. The sensitivity analyses and validation results show that this approach works effectively in assessing large area soil erosion, and also helps to understand the regional associations of erosion and its impact factors, and thus might significantly contribute to planning and policymaking for a large area erosion control in the Loess Plateau.展开更多
The aim was to further research soil erosion characteristics and accurately predict soil erosion amount in karst areas. Based on field surveys and research achievements available, yellow soils, which are widely distri...The aim was to further research soil erosion characteristics and accurately predict soil erosion amount in karst areas. Based on field surveys and research achievements available, yellow soils, which are widely distributed, were chosen as test soil samples and slope, rain intensity, vegetation coverage and bare-rock ratio were taken as soil erosion factors. Artificial rain simulation instruments （needle-type） were made use of to simulate correlation of rain intensity, vegetation coverage, and bare-rock ratio with soil erosion quantity. Furthermore, multiple-factor linear regression analysis, stepwise regression analysis and multiple-factor non-linear regression analy- sis were made to establish a multiple-factor formula of soil erosion modulus with dif- ferent slopes and select regression models with high correlation coefficients. The re- sults show that a non-linear regression model reached extremely significant level or significant level （0.692〈FF〈0.988） and linear regression model achieved significant lev- el （0.523〈FF〈0.634）. The effects of erosion modulus changed from decreasing to in- creasing and the erosion factors from high to low were rain intensity, vegetation cov- erage and bare-rock ratio when slope gradient was at 6~, 16~, 26~ and 36~. The mod- el is of high accuracy for predicting gentle slope and abtupt slope, which reveals correlation of erosion modulus with erosion factors in karst areas.展开更多
Vegetation is one of the key factors affecting soil erosion on the Loess Plateau. The effects of vegetation destruction and vegetation restoration on soil erosion were quantified using data from long-term field runoff...Vegetation is one of the key factors affecting soil erosion on the Loess Plateau. The effects of vegetation destruction and vegetation restoration on soil erosion were quantified using data from long-term field runoff plots established on the eastern slope of the Ziwuling secondary forest region, China and a field survey. The results showed that before the secondary vegetation restoration period (before about 1866-1872), soil erosion in the Ziwuling region of the Loess Plateau was similar to the current erosion conditions in neighboring regions, where the soil erosion rate now is 8000 to 10000 t km-2 year-1. After the secondary vegetation restoration, soil erosion was very low; influences of rainfall and slope gradient on soil erosion were small; the vegetation effect on soil erosion was predominant; shallow gully and gully erosion ceased; and sediment deposition occurred in shallow gully and gully channels. In modern times when human activities destroyed secondary forests, soil erosion increased markedly, and erosion rates in the deforested lands reached 10000 to 24000 t km-2 year-1, which was 797 to 1682 times greater than those in the forested land prior to deforestation. Rainfall intensity and landform greatly affected the soil erosion process after deforestation. These results showed that accelerated erosion caused by vegetation destruction played a key role in soil degradation and eco-environmental deterioration in deforested regions.展开更多
The effect of different vegetation systems including bamboo plantation (BP), forest ecosystem (CF),citrus orchard (Ctr) and farmland (FL) on erosion and nutrients of red soil were investigated in hilly region of south...The effect of different vegetation systems including bamboo plantation (BP), forest ecosystem (CF),citrus orchard (Ctr) and farmland (FL) on erosion and nutrients of red soil were investigated in hilly region of southeastern China to find effective control measures for soil erosion. The results showed that all the vegetation systems could significantly reduce soil erosion and nutrient losses compared to bare land (Br).The ability of different vegetation systems to conserve soil and water was in the order of Ctr ＞ BP ＞ CF ＞ FL ＞ Br. Vegetation could also improve soil fertility. The soil organic matter, total N and total P contents were much higher in all the vegetation systems than in bare land, especially for the top soils. Vegetation systems improved soil physical properties remarkably. Compared to the bare land, soil organic matter, TP,TK and available K, especially soil microbial biomass C, N and P, increased under all the vegetation covers.However, they were still much lower than expected, thus these biological measurements are still needed to be carried out continuously.展开更多
Soil erosion is a major threat to our terrestrial ecosystems and an important global environmental problem. The Loess Plateau in China is one of the regions that suffered more severe soil erosion and undergoing climat...Soil erosion is a major threat to our terrestrial ecosystems and an important global environmental problem. The Loess Plateau in China is one of the regions that suffered more severe soil erosion and undergoing climate warming and drying in the past decades. The vegetation restoration named Grain-to-Green Program has now been operating for more than 10 years. It is necessary to assess the variation of soil erosion and the response of precipita- tion and vegetation restoration to soil erosion on the Loess Plateau. In the study, the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation （RUSLE） was applied to evaluate annual soil loss caused by water erosion. The results showed as follows. The soil erosion on the Loess Plateau between 2000 and 2010 averaged for 15.2 t hm-2 a 1 and was characterized as light for the value less than 25 t hm-2 a-1. The severe soil erosion higher than 25 t hm-2 a-~ was mainly distributed in the gully and hilly regions in the central, southwestern, and some scattered areas of earth-rocky mountainous areas on the Loess Plateau. The soil erosion on the Loess Plateau showed a deceasing trend in recent decade and reduced more at rates more than 1 t hm 2 a 1 in the areas suffering severe soil loss. Benefited from the improved vegetation cover and ecological construction, the soil erosion on the Loess Plateau was significantly declined, es- pecially in the east of Yulin, most parts of Yah＇an prefectures in Shaanxi Province, and the west of Luliang and Linfen prefectures in Shanxi Province in the hilly and gully regions. The variation of vegetation cover responding to soil erosion in these areas showed the relatively higher contribution than the precipitation. However, most areas in Qingyang and Dingxi pre- fectures in Gansu Province and Guyuan in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region were predomi- nantly related to precipitation.展开更多
A comprehensive methodology that integrates Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation （RUSLE） model and Geographic Information System （GIS） techniques was adopted to determine the soil erosion vulner- ability of a fore...A comprehensive methodology that integrates Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation （RUSLE） model and Geographic Information System （GIS） techniques was adopted to determine the soil erosion vulner- ability of a forested mountainous sub-watershed in Kerala, India. The spatial pattern of annual soil erosion rate was obtained by integrating geo-environmental variables in a raster based GIS method. GIS data layers including, rainfall erosivity （R）, soil erodability （K）, slope length and steepness （LS）, cover management （C） and conservation practice （P） factors were computed to determine their effects on average annual soil loss in the area. The resultant map of annual soil erosion shows a maximum soil loss of 17.73 t h-1 y i with a close relation to grass land areas, degraded forests and deciduous forests on the steep side-slopes （with high LS ）. The spatial erosion maps generated with RUSLE method and GIS can serve as effective inputs in deriving strategies for land planning and management in the environmentally sensitive mountainous areas.展开更多
The spatial and temporal dynamics of soil erosion in Xingguo County, Jiangxi Province, China were studied using multi-period remote sensing images and GIS. The results indicated that the soil erosion status of the reg...The spatial and temporal dynamics of soil erosion in Xingguo County, Jiangxi Province, China were studied using multi-period remote sensing images and GIS. The results indicated that the soil erosion status of the region has been improving, particularly since the 1980s, with the erosion rate showing an evident decline over the past 30 years. The improvement showed not only in the decline of eroded soil area, but also with the reduction in the extent of erosion. The extent of erosion mainly changed by one level, and the change primarily occurred with the severely or moderately eroded soil types. However, in general, soil erosion was still an overriding problem in the region with some areas becoming more serious, especially those with large quantities of granite.展开更多
基金financially supported by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR)(grant no.09/045(1399)/2015-EMR-I)the Ministry of Earth Sciences(Mo ES),Government of India(grant no.Mo ES/P.O.(Geo)/95/2017)。
文摘Soil erosion is one of the major global hazards threatening the food security of the world population.Soil erosion can be a result of both natural and anthropogenic processes.Field monitoring and models(numerical and physical)are commonly used to quantify soil erosion.However,field methods are time-consuming and the models inherently work with a level of uncertainty.Soil erosion studies in the Himalayas have been mostly carried out using modelling but there is a lack of sufficient field data to validate the results.We quantified soil erosion in a small catchment(Pranmati)in the Himalayas using the fallout meteoric^(10)Be nuclide for the first time.Based on the^(10)Be flux delivery rates determined from global circulation models(GCM),we calculated the rates of soil erosion at discrete points in the hilltop and mid-slope regions of hillslopes.The erosion rates vary between 17 mm kyr^(-1)to 68 mm kyr^(-1).These rates were determined in pristine areas that are unaffected by anthropogenic activities,thus,indicate the background erosion rates in the region.We established empirical relationships with estimated erosion rates and topographic parameters to assess the sediment dynamics in the hillslopes.It was observed that the sediment redistribution process operates differently in the mid-slope region compared to the hilltop region,due to increasing complexity of the active processes in the mid-slope region.
基金funded by the Guangdong Major Project of Basic and Applied Basic Research(2021B0301030007)the Supplemental Funds for Major Scientific Research Projects of Beijing Normal University,Zhuhai(ZHPT2023013)+1 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42301387)the Science and Technology Program of Guangdong(No.2024B1212070012)。
文摘The topographic factor(LS factor),derived from the multiplication of the slope length(L)and slope steepness(S)factors,is a vital parameter in soil erosion models.Generated from the digital elevation model(DEM),the LS factor always varies with the changing DEM resolution,i.e.,the LS factor scale effect.Previous studies have found the phenomenon of the LS factor scale effect,but the underlying causes of this phenomenon has not been well explored.Therefore,how the DEM resolution affects the LS factor and how the scale effect of the L and S factors influence the LS factor scale effect remains unclear.To address these problems,we collected 20 watersheds from the Guangdong Province with different topographic reliefs,and compared the corresponding L,S and LS factors at 10-m and 30-m resolution DEMs.Our results indicate that the S factor,heavily influenced by slope underestimation in coarse-resolution DEMs,makes a difference in the LS factor scale effect.In addition,the LS factor scale effect becomes less significant with increasing reliefs,suggesting the possibility of using 30-m DEM for LS calculation in rugged terrains.Our findings on the underlying mechanisms of the LS factor scale effect help to identify the uncertainty in the LS factor estimation,thereby enhancing the accuracy of soil erosion assessment,particularly in regions with different topographic characteristics and contribute to more effective soil conservation strategies and decision-making.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(Youth Program),No.42201110。
文摘Soil erosion(SE)is a critical form of land degradation that significantly threatens the health of terrestrial ecosystems worldwide.The Qinba Mountains represent a vital geo-ecological transition zone in China.Therefore,analyzing the dynamics of SE in relation to climate changes and land use/cover(LULC)change is essential for guiding ecological conservation efforts in this region.The soil erosion intensity(SEI)from 2001 to 2020 was estimated using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation(RUSLE).For the period of 2021–2040,SEI projections were made based on CMIP6 data,utilizing the Statistical Downscaling Model alongside the CA-Markov model.Variations in SEI under four distinct shared socio-economic pathways were compared.Additionally,statistical methods were employed to evaluate the long-term impacts of climate and LULC change on SE.Findings indicate that between 2021and 2040,both precipitation and rainfall erosivity are expected to increase by approximately 8%–12%and 3%–14%,respectively.Based on differing socio-economic pathways,the soil erosion rate(SER)is predicted to rise by 12%–32%,with SSP2-4.5 anticipated to result in the highest SER.An analysis of contributing factors revealed that precipitation intensity and total precipitation are likely to escalate SE,while elevated temperatures may mitigate it.Among all types of LULC,barren land is particularly susceptible to erosion and remains a priority for conservation.The generated SEI maps will aid in promoting sustainable land use and provide crucial support for mitigating ecological risks from climate change.
文摘The Darjeeling Himalayan region,characterized by its complex topography and vulnerability to multiple environmental hazards,faces significant challenges including landslides,earthquakes,flash floods,and soil loss that critically threaten ecosystem stability.Among these challenges,soil erosion emerges as a silent disaster-a gradual yet relentless process whose impacts accumulate over time,progressively degrading landscape integrity and disrupting ecological sustainability.Unlike catastrophic events with immediate visibility,soil erosion’s most devastating consequences often manifest decades later through diminished agricultural productivity,habitat fragmentation,and irreversible biodiversity loss.This study developed a scalable predictive framework employing Random Forest(RF)and Gradient Boosting Tree(GBT)machine learning models to assess and map soil erosion susceptibility across the region.A comprehensive geo-database was developed incorporating 11 erosion triggering factors:slope,elevation,rainfall,drainage density,topographic wetness index,normalized difference vegetation index,curvature,soil texture,land use,geology,and aspect.A total of 2,483 historical soil erosion locations were identified and randomly divided into two sets:70%for model building and 30%for validation purposes.The models revealed distinct spatial patterns of erosion risks,with GBT classifying 60.50%of the area as very low susceptibility,while RF identified 28.92%in this category.Notable differences emerged in high-risk zone identification,with GBT highlighting 7.42%and RF indicating 2.21%as very high erosion susceptibility areas.Both models demonstrated robust predictive capabilities,with GBT achieving 80.77%accuracy and 0.975 AUC,slightly outperforming RF’s 79.67%accuracy and 0.972 AUC.Analysis of predictor variables identified elevation,slope,rainfall and NDVI as the primary factors influencing erosion susceptibility,highlighting the complex interrelationship between geo-environmental factors and erosion processes.This research offers a strategic framework for targeted conservation and sustainable land management in the fragile Himalayan region,providing valuable insights to help policymakers implement effective soil erosion mitigation strategies and support long-term environmental sustainability.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2024YFD1501102)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province,China(Grant No.BK20220163)+2 种基金the Jiangxi Province Natural Science Foundation(Grant No.20224BAB203031)Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(Grant No.XDA0440202)the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(Grant No.2023327)。
文摘Soil erosion is the primary factor causing the loss of soil resources and land degradation.Clarifying the current status of soil erosion in China and the characteristics of future changes under different pathways of development is important to the global management of soil resources,food security,and ecosystem services.We used the revised universal soil loss equation and the most recent and reliable soil and environmental data to characterize soil erosion in China at present and under typical Shared Socioeconomic Pathways and Representative Concentration Pathways(i.e.,SSP1–2.6 and SSP5–8.5)in the medium-and long-term future(2050 and 2100).The current average rate of soil erosion in China was 14.78 t ha^(-1)yr^(-1),with a total amount of about 14.0 Pg yr^(-1).The amount of total erosion increased by 5.0%,10.8%,9.9%,and 25.9%for scenarios 2050_SSP1–2.6,2050_SSP5–8.5,2100_SSP1–2.6,and 2100_SSP5–8.5,respectively,compared to the baseline amount in 2010.The contribution of climate change and land use to the increase in erosion ranged from 9.5%to 31.5%and-6.95%to-1.78%,respectively,with the contribution of climate change about 2.36-to 7.54-fold larger than the contribution of land use.Converting arable barren land into forest and grassland or adopting conservation tillage practices for farmland,could nevertheless effectively offset the increase in erosion under the four future scenarios.This study provides data and a scientific basis for managing soil erosion in China and provides a useful reference for conserving global land resources and formulating policies to cope with climatic and environmental changes.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (42077076, 42177323)the National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaYellow River Water Science Research Joint Fund (U2243211)。
文摘Over the past six decades,the implementation of soil and water conservation measures has significantly reduced soil erosion and sediment yield on the Loess Plateau,China.However,while the overall reduction is well-documented,the dynamic interplay between soil erosion potential and sediment connectivity,specifically how they spatially covary under land use/cover changes,remains insufficiently understood.To address this gap,this study established a model framework by integrating the revised universal soil loss equation(RUSLE),index of connectivity(IC),and sediment delivery ratio(SDR)to evaluate the spatio-temporal variations in soil erosion and sediment yield in the Hantaichuan Watershed,northern Loess Plateau,China,from 1995 to 2020 and to estimate the effects of land use/cover changes and check dam construction on sediment yield.The results revealed that the soil erosion in the Hantaichuan Watershed decreased by 43.90% from 1995 to 2020 and the sediment yield decreased by 69.28% under the combination of land use/cover changes and check dam construction.The IC and soil erosion(IC-SE)map revealed both the coupling and decoupling covariation relationships between sediment connectivity and soil erosion.By 2020,areas with high connectivity and high erosion(I-E)covered only 18.67% of the watershed,while contributed more than 40.00% to the total erosion.The I-E zones were mainly located in the central part of the watershed where aeolian sands derived from the Hobq Desert are concentrated and were identified as critical areas for soil and water conservation.This study provides support for priority management of watershed conservation measures as well as a valuable reference for future studies.
文摘The C factor in Universal Soil loss Equation reflecting the effect of vegetation on soil erosion by water is one of the important parameters for estimating soil erosion rate and selecting appropriate land use patterns. In this study, the C factor for nine types of grassland and woodland was estimated from 195 plot-year observation data of six groups of soil erosion experiments on Loess Plateau. The result indicates that the effects of woodland and grassland on soil erosion keep approximately uniform after two or three years' growth. The estimated woodland C factor ranges from 0.004 to 0.164, and the grassland C factor ranges from 0.071 to 0.377, showing that the effect of woodland and grassland on soil conservation is greatly better than that of cropland. The study results can be used to compare or estimate the soil loss from land with different vegetation cover, and are the useful references for land use pattern selection and the project of returning cropland to forest or grassland.
文摘[Objective] The paper was to construct soil erosion control and circular agriculture mode in hilly red soil of southern China, and analyze its application effort. [Method] The cause of soil erosion in hilly red soil of southern China and the reason for long-term treatment without remarkable effort were analyzed. On this basis, the key technology, economic benefit, ecological service function and carbon sequestration sink enhancement effect of various modes were further analyzed. [Result] The basic idea for comprehensive control of hilly soil erosion in southern China was as follows: the control of soil erosion was combined with modern agricultural production, in order to build "fruit(tea)-grass-livestock-methane" circular agriculture mode with comprehensive control of soil erosion; application effect analysis showed that the establishment of circular agriculture mode in southern hilly area to control soil erosion had remarkable effect, which could simultaneously meet the coordinated development of ecological, economic and social benefits. [Conclusion] This study established an effective mode suitable for soil erosion control and agricultural protection development in southern red soil mountain, which could drive the sustainable development of ecological restoration of mountainous area and rural agricultural economy.
文摘In this paper,based on the common soil erosion model,the Three-River Headwaters region was select for study object. GIS methods are applied to conduct Semi-quantitative assessment for different types of soil erosion,and some results are concluded. The water erosion occurs in High Mountain and extra-high mountain of Yushu,Nangqian,Banma and Jiuzhi County in the southeast and south of the Three-River Headwaters region. The degree of erosion is prone to topography,precipitation,river and human activity. The freeze-thaw erosion mainly distributes in the northwest of the Three-River Headwaters region. The area of middle and above middle erosion degree accounts for roughly 50%.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.41401305,No.41330858The Open Foundation of State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau,No.K318009902-14
文摘The capacity of soil and water conservation measures, defined as the maximum quantity of suitable soil and water conservation measures contained in a region, were determined for the Loess Plateau based on zones suitable for establishing terraced fields, forestland and grassland with the support of geographic information system(GIS) software. The minimum possible soil erosion modulus and actual soil erosion modulus in 2010 were calculated using the revised universal soil loss equation(RUSLE), and the ratio of the minimum possible soil erosion modulus under the capacity of soil and water conservation measures to the actual soil erosion modulus was defined as the soil erosion control degree. The control potential of soil erosion and water loss in the Loess Plateau was studied using this concept. Results showed that the actual soil erosion modulus was 3355 t·km^(–2)·a^(–1), the minimum possible soil erosion modulus was 1921 t·km^(–2)·a^(–1), and the soil erosion control degree was 0.57(medium level) in the Loess Plateau in 2010. In terms of zoning, the control degree was relatively high in the river valley-plain area, soil-rocky mountainous area, and windy-sandy area, but relatively low in the soil-rocky hilly-forested area, hilly-gully area and plateau-gully area. The rate of erosion areas with a soil erosion modulus of less than 1000 t·km^(–2)·a^(–1) increased from 50.48% to 57.71%, forest and grass coverage rose from 56.74% to 69.15%, rate of terraced fields increased from 4.36% to 19.03%, and per capita grain available rose from 418 kg·a^(–1) to 459 kg·a^(–1) under the capacity of soil and water conservation measures compared with actual conditions. These research results are of some guiding significance for soil and water loss control in the Loess Plateau.
基金Supported by the Special Fund of International Plant Nutrition Institute Fund (NMS-Yunnan200801)~~
文摘[Objective] This study aimed to explore the effects of soil erosion on the productivity of sloping field. [Method] Through removing of and covering with topsoil in a micro-plot experiment, the effect of soil erosion on productivity of sloping field was studied. [Result] The results showed that there was extremely significantly posi- tive correlation between the thicknesses of covered topsoil with either the yield of maize seeds or the yield of maize stalks, which indicated that the yields of maize seeds and maize stalks decreased extremely significantly with the increase of the amount of surface soil loss caused by erosion on the sloping field. The yields of maize seeds and maize stalks decreased by 29.62% and 24.46% respectively in the treatment with removal of a 15 cm thick layer of mature topsoil in the plow layer; the yields of maize seeds and maize stalks decreased by 17.31% and 20.14% re- spectively in the treatment with removal of a 10 cm thick layer of mature topsoil in the plow layer; the yields of maize seeds and maize stalks decreased by 12.69% and 11.51% respectively in the treatment with removal of a 5 cm thick layer of ma- ture topsoil in the plow layer; the yields of maize seeds and maize stalks increased by 10.00% and 9.35% respectively in the treatment with covering with a 5 cm thick layer of mature topsoil in the plow layer; the yields of maize seeds and maize stalks increased by 15.77% and 16.19% respectively in the treatment with covering with a 10 cm thick layer of mature topsoil in the plow layer; the yields of maize seeds and maize stalks increased by 17.69% and 25.18% respectively in the treat- ment with covering with a 15 cm thick layer of mature topsoil in the plow layer. [Conclusion] This study provides a basis for assessing the effect of soil erosion on sloping field.
基金the result of project(No.40061006)funded by the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China
文摘Severe soil erosion in the middle and upper reaches of Yangtze River has been regarded as a major environmental problem. The on-site impact of soil erosion on agricultural production and the off-site impact on floods and sedimentation in Yangtze Rive are well known. A quantitative assessment of soil erosion intensity is still scanty for developing appropriate soil erosion control measures for different land use types and zones in this region. This article constructs a localized USLE and estimates the average soil loss in the Jinsha River Region in Yunnan Province, one of the priority areas for soil erosion control in the middle and upper reaches of Yangtze River. The estimation is done under different land uses and zones in this basin. The estimation shows that while soil erosion in the cultivated land is the most severe, 36～40% of the garden and forest land suffers from soil erosion of various degrees due to lack of ground cover and other factors. Soil erosion in the pasture is modest when the ground cover is well maintained. It also confirmed that terracing can reduce soil erosion intensity significantly on the cultivated land. Research findings suggest that sufficient attention must be paid to regeneration of the ground cover in reforestation programs. In addition to mass reforestation efforts, restoration of grassland and terracing of the cultivated land should also play an important role in erosion control.
基金Supported by Scientific Research Program of Water Resources Department of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (xjsl-2011-11)Young Core Project of Northwest A&F University (KZCXI-10-4-1)~~
文摘In the research, problems and damages of soil erosions in West -East Natural Gas Transmission were analyzed; the reasons were summarized and the characteristics of soil erosion were researched in order to explore principles of pipeline prevention and seek countermeasures.
基金Under the auspices of Northeast Normal University Sci-tech Innovation Incubation Program(No.NENU-STC08017)European Commission FP7 Project―PRACTICE(No.ENVI-2008-226818)
文摘The objective of this study is to develop a unique modeling approach for fast assessment of massive soil erosion by water at a regional scale in the Loess Plateau, China. This approach relies on an understanding of both regional patterns of soil loss and its impact factors in the plateau area. Based on the regional characteristics of precipitation, vegetation and land form, and with the use of Landsat TM and ground investigation data, the entire Loess Plateau was first divided into 3 380 Fundamental Assessment Units （FAUs） to adapt to this regional modeling and fast assessment. A set of easily available parameters reflecting relevant water erosion factors at a regional scale was then developed, in which dynamic and static factors were discriminated. Arclnfo GIS was used to integrate all essential data into a central database. A resulting mathematical model was established to link the sediment yields and the selected variables on the basis of FAUs through overlay in GIS and multiple regression analyses. The sensitivity analyses and validation results show that this approach works effectively in assessing large area soil erosion, and also helps to understand the regional associations of erosion and its impact factors, and thus might significantly contribute to planning and policymaking for a large area erosion control in the Loess Plateau.
基金Supported by National Science and Technology Support Program in Twelfth Five-year Plan(2012BAD05B06)Special Funds for Excellent Young Scientific Talents in Guizhou[(2011)14]~~
文摘The aim was to further research soil erosion characteristics and accurately predict soil erosion amount in karst areas. Based on field surveys and research achievements available, yellow soils, which are widely distributed, were chosen as test soil samples and slope, rain intensity, vegetation coverage and bare-rock ratio were taken as soil erosion factors. Artificial rain simulation instruments （needle-type） were made use of to simulate correlation of rain intensity, vegetation coverage, and bare-rock ratio with soil erosion quantity. Furthermore, multiple-factor linear regression analysis, stepwise regression analysis and multiple-factor non-linear regression analy- sis were made to establish a multiple-factor formula of soil erosion modulus with dif- ferent slopes and select regression models with high correlation coefficients. The re- sults show that a non-linear regression model reached extremely significant level or significant level （0.692〈FF〈0.988） and linear regression model achieved significant lev- el （0.523〈FF〈0.634）. The effects of erosion modulus changed from decreasing to in- creasing and the erosion factors from high to low were rain intensity, vegetation cov- erage and bare-rock ratio when slope gradient was at 6~, 16~, 26~ and 36~. The mod- el is of high accuracy for predicting gentle slope and abtupt slope, which reveals correlation of erosion modulus with erosion factors in karst areas.
基金Project supported by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. KZCX3-SW-422) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 9032001 and 40335050).
文摘Vegetation is one of the key factors affecting soil erosion on the Loess Plateau. The effects of vegetation destruction and vegetation restoration on soil erosion were quantified using data from long-term field runoff plots established on the eastern slope of the Ziwuling secondary forest region, China and a field survey. The results showed that before the secondary vegetation restoration period (before about 1866-1872), soil erosion in the Ziwuling region of the Loess Plateau was similar to the current erosion conditions in neighboring regions, where the soil erosion rate now is 8000 to 10000 t km-2 year-1. After the secondary vegetation restoration, soil erosion was very low; influences of rainfall and slope gradient on soil erosion were small; the vegetation effect on soil erosion was predominant; shallow gully and gully erosion ceased; and sediment deposition occurred in shallow gully and gully channels. In modern times when human activities destroyed secondary forests, soil erosion increased markedly, and erosion rates in the deforested lands reached 10000 to 24000 t km-2 year-1, which was 797 to 1682 times greater than those in the forested land prior to deforestation. Rainfall intensity and landform greatly affected the soil erosion process after deforestation. These results showed that accelerated erosion caused by vegetation destruction played a key role in soil degradation and eco-environmental deterioration in deforested regions.
基金Project supported by the National Key Basic Research Support Foundation (NKBRSF) of China (No.2002CB410807).
文摘The effect of different vegetation systems including bamboo plantation (BP), forest ecosystem (CF),citrus orchard (Ctr) and farmland (FL) on erosion and nutrients of red soil were investigated in hilly region of southeastern China to find effective control measures for soil erosion. The results showed that all the vegetation systems could significantly reduce soil erosion and nutrient losses compared to bare land (Br).The ability of different vegetation systems to conserve soil and water was in the order of Ctr ＞ BP ＞ CF ＞ FL ＞ Br. Vegetation could also improve soil fertility. The soil organic matter, total N and total P contents were much higher in all the vegetation systems than in bare land, especially for the top soils. Vegetation systems improved soil physical properties remarkably. Compared to the bare land, soil organic matter, TP,TK and available K, especially soil microbial biomass C, N and P, increased under all the vegetation covers.However, they were still much lower than expected, thus these biological measurements are still needed to be carried out continuously.
基金Ecological environment investigation and assessment in ten years in the zone of major ecological protectionand construction,No.STSN-14-00China Global Research Program,No.2010CB950902
文摘Soil erosion is a major threat to our terrestrial ecosystems and an important global environmental problem. The Loess Plateau in China is one of the regions that suffered more severe soil erosion and undergoing climate warming and drying in the past decades. The vegetation restoration named Grain-to-Green Program has now been operating for more than 10 years. It is necessary to assess the variation of soil erosion and the response of precipita- tion and vegetation restoration to soil erosion on the Loess Plateau. In the study, the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation （RUSLE） was applied to evaluate annual soil loss caused by water erosion. The results showed as follows. The soil erosion on the Loess Plateau between 2000 and 2010 averaged for 15.2 t hm-2 a 1 and was characterized as light for the value less than 25 t hm-2 a-1. The severe soil erosion higher than 25 t hm-2 a-~ was mainly distributed in the gully and hilly regions in the central, southwestern, and some scattered areas of earth-rocky mountainous areas on the Loess Plateau. The soil erosion on the Loess Plateau showed a deceasing trend in recent decade and reduced more at rates more than 1 t hm 2 a 1 in the areas suffering severe soil loss. Benefited from the improved vegetation cover and ecological construction, the soil erosion on the Loess Plateau was significantly declined, es- pecially in the east of Yulin, most parts of Yah＇an prefectures in Shaanxi Province, and the west of Luliang and Linfen prefectures in Shanxi Province in the hilly and gully regions. The variation of vegetation cover responding to soil erosion in these areas showed the relatively higher contribution than the precipitation. However, most areas in Qingyang and Dingxi pre- fectures in Gansu Province and Guyuan in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region were predomi- nantly related to precipitation.
文摘A comprehensive methodology that integrates Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation （RUSLE） model and Geographic Information System （GIS） techniques was adopted to determine the soil erosion vulner- ability of a forested mountainous sub-watershed in Kerala, India. The spatial pattern of annual soil erosion rate was obtained by integrating geo-environmental variables in a raster based GIS method. GIS data layers including, rainfall erosivity （R）, soil erodability （K）, slope length and steepness （LS）, cover management （C） and conservation practice （P） factors were computed to determine their effects on average annual soil loss in the area. The resultant map of annual soil erosion shows a maximum soil loss of 17.73 t h-1 y i with a close relation to grass land areas, degraded forests and deciduous forests on the steep side-slopes （with high LS ）. The spatial erosion maps generated with RUSLE method and GIS can serve as effective inputs in deriving strategies for land planning and management in the environmentally sensitive mountainous areas.
基金1 Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 49631010).
文摘The spatial and temporal dynamics of soil erosion in Xingguo County, Jiangxi Province, China were studied using multi-period remote sensing images and GIS. The results indicated that the soil erosion status of the region has been improving, particularly since the 1980s, with the erosion rate showing an evident decline over the past 30 years. The improvement showed not only in the decline of eroded soil area, but also with the reduction in the extent of erosion. The extent of erosion mainly changed by one level, and the change primarily occurred with the severely or moderately eroded soil types. However, in general, soil erosion was still an overriding problem in the region with some areas becoming more serious, especially those with large quantities of granite.
