1.Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Environment of National Forestry and Grassland Administration,Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute,Chinese Academy of Forestry,Beijing 100091,China
2.Hubei Zigui Three Gorges Reservoir Area Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station,Zigui,Hubei 443600,China
3.School of Ecology and Environment,Central South University of Forestry and Technology,Changsha 410004,China
Objective Investigating the spatiotemporal variation characteristics of soil erosion and its driving factors in the ecological barrier zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir area is beneficial to enhancing regional soil and water conservation capacity and strengthening the ecological security barriers. Methods The RUSLE model was employed, combined with Sen+MK trend analysis, Hurst index analysis, and PLUS model, to study the spatiotemporal variation characteristics of soil erosion from 2000 to 2023 and the future soil erosion patterns in the ecological barrier zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir area. In addition, the random forest model was used to quantify the influence of vegetation cover, rainfall, population density, and other factors on soil erosion. Results 1) Soil erosion in the ecological barrier zone was predominantly slight (59.68%±5.59%) and mild erosion (38.86±4.64%), exhibiting a spatial pattern of higher in the central part and lower in the east and west, with the most severe soil erosion occurring near water systems. 2) The annual average soil erosion modulus per unit area in the ecological barrier zone decreased by 2 288.88 t/(km2·a) from 2000 to 2023, demonstrating a significant declining trend. Although the area with slight degradation (48.00%) was the highest, future soil erosion was expected to continuously improve, with the highest proportion of slight soil erosion area under the ecological protection scenario. 3) The results of random forest model showed that vegetation cover (30.64%±10.88%) and rainfall (23.43%±8.57%) were the primary driving factors of soil erosion. The relative influence of vegetation cover and population density exhibited a declining trend over time, while relative influence of rainfall first increased and then decreased. In contrast, the relative importance of slope and elevation showed an increasing trend with time. Conclusion The soil erosion conditions in the ecological barrier zone have significantly improved from 2000 to 2023. However, soil erosion has further intensified in urbanized areas. In the future, comprehensive soil and water conservation measures should be formulated by coordinating factors such as vegetation cover, rainfall, and topography to mitigate soil erosion.
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