Objective This study explores the spatiotemporal variation patterns of rainfall erosivity in different topographic steps of Southern China, reveals its lagged response characteristics to typical climatic indices, and provides theoretical support for the optimization of regional soil and water conservation and ecological restoration measures in the context of climate change. Methods Based on daily rainfall records and climate index data from 1961 to 2020, the study employed Co-Kriging and Mann-Kendall trend test methods to investigate the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of rainfall erosivity. Additionally, the distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) was used to explore the lagged response mechanisms of rainfall erosivity to typical climatic indices. Results (1) Over the past 60 years, the rainfall erosivity in the southern region has shown an overall increasing trend, with the third step showing the highest increase 〔17.72 MJ · mm/(hm2 · h · a) (p<0.05)〕 and significant interannual variability (CV=15.1%). On an intra-annual scale, the highest contribution to rainfall erosivity occurred in summer for all steps. (2) In terms of spatial distribution, rainfall erosivity generally decreased from southeast to northwest. The multi-year average rainfall erosivity for the first, second, and third steps was 1 269.45, 4 545.49, and 6 607.77 MJ · mm/(hm2 · h · a), respectively. (3) The rainfall erosivity in the study area exhibited distinct lag effects in response to typical climate indices. The responses to the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) were the most persistent, lasting for 7~8 months. The responses to the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) exhibited discontinuous patterns with extended time spans, whereas the responses to the Arctic Oscillation (AO) were rapid and transient, with significant responses concentrated within a 3~4 month lag period. Conclusion The rainfall erosivity in Southern China shows significant spatiotemporal differences across different topographic steps, with strong spatial heterogeneity in its response to climate indices. Particularly, the third step is most sensitive to climate change.
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