Objective This study aims to investigate the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of rainfall erosivity corresponding to different rainfall grades in the Weihe River Basin, providing a scientific basis for soil and water conservation and ecological protection in the river basin. Methods Half-monthly rainfall erosivity was calculated using daily rainfall amounts. The M-K mutation test, coefficient of variation, and climate tendency rate were used to analyze the spatiotemporal variation characteristics of rainfall erosivity of different magnitudes in the Weihe River Basin. Results The multi-year average rainfall erosivity in the Weihe River Basin ranged from 687.4 to 2 537.1 (MJ · mm)/(hm² · h), which was basically consistent with the spatial distribution of multi-year average erosive rainfall, exhibiting a pattern of higher values in the southeast and lower values in the northwest. Overall, rainfall erosivity in the Basin showed increasing trend from 1970 to 2024. Rainfall erosivity of all magnitudes increased to varying degrees. Among them, heavy rain erosivity had the largest increase amplitude, and moderate rain erosivity had the smallest increase amplitude. Heavy rain erosivity made the largest contribution to the annual average rainfall erosivity, accounting for 40.4%. Annual rainfall erosivity showed an increasing trend in the vast majority of the river basin, while the variation trends of rainfall erosivity of different magnitudes exhibited spatial heterogeneity. The intra-annual distribution of rainfall erosivity of different magnitudes in the river basin was extremely uneven. Moderate rainfall erosivity occurred almost year-around. Heavy rain erosivity mainly occurred from June to September, while rainstorm erosivity and severe rainstorm erosivity were concentrated in July and August. In July, rainfall erosivity showed an increasing trend in the majority of the river basin. In August, rainfall erosivity showed a decreasing trend in the Weibei Highland area, while it exhibited a significant increasing trend in the Guanzhong Plain area. Conclusion The regional characteristics of rainfall erosivity of different magnitudes in the Weihe River Basin are distinct, and measures for soil and water conservation and ecological protection should be formulated according to local conditions.
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