Spatiotemporal Variation of Soil Erosion in the Northern Foothills of the Qinling Mountains Using the RUSLE Model

Abstract

The Qinling region in central China, known as the ‘Dragon Vein of China’, is a vital ecological barrier facing significant soil erosion challenges. This study aims to enhance soil erosion management and analyse the spatiotemporal changes of soil erosion in the northern foothills of the Qinling Mountains. We collected data on precipitation, terrain, land use types, and soil in the designated region. Using GIS technology and the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model, we created a detailed soil erosion map and analysed its evolution from 2018 to 2022. Results show a significant reduction in soil erosion in 2020–2021 despite a general upward trend in other years. Innovation includes integrating remote sensing with RUSLE for high-precision mapping and introducing a hierarchical approach for erosion risk assessment. The study found erosion peaks in summer and autumn, with higher levels in the southern parts compared to the northern parts. Influential factors include climate variables, human activities, soil, and vegetation types. The average soil erosion modulus in 2023 is 233.515 t/(km2·a), with total soil erosion of 85,233.046 t/a, mainly concentrated in the valley and mountain basin areas. This research provides a theoretical basis for improving the natural environment and implementing comprehensive soil and water conservation measures in the Qinling region, offering a model for similar ecological regions globally.