Vegetation restoration contributes to a reduction in wind and water erosion in China's drylands

Abstract

Climate change and intensified human activity have increased soil erosion in China's drylands. Understanding the levels and trends of wind and water erosion in China's drylands over the past decades and analysing the contribution rate and spatiotemporal variations of vegetation cover and meteorological factors in wind and water erosion risks is crucial for land management. We applied the RWEQ and RUSLE models to assess the inter-annual trends, simulate the spatial patterns, and identify the factors contributing to wind and water erosion in China's drylands. Our findings revealed that (1) Water and wind erosion exhibit distinct spatial patterns across China's drylands. The southeast regions, with higher precipitation, predominantly experience water erosion, while the northwest regions, with higher wind speeds and lower rainfall, are more susceptible to wind erosion. (2) Meteorological factors significantly influence soil wind and water erosion, and this influence is increasing. However, the buffering effect of vegetation cover is shown to mitigate the erosive impact of these meteorological conditions in this study. By analysing the contributions and trends of soil erosion factors, this study provides valuable insights for developing targeted land management strategies and implementing practical eco-restoration efforts to achieve land degradation neutrality.