A decline in soil erosion modulus occurred widely in Southwest China since the 1960s

A decline in soil erosion modulus occurred widely in Southwest China since the 1960s | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 18 August 2025 V1 Latest version Share on A decline in soil erosion modulus occurred widely in Southwest China since the 1960s Authors : Runsheng He 0009-0007-6228-9523 , Ting Chen [email protected] , Ran Wei , Xingping Wei , Liuliu Feng , and Junbing Pu 0000-0003-0418-4719 Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.175550062.28368874/v1 153 views 87 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract To assess the long-term sustainability of soil retention in erosion-prone karst regions, investigating historical soil erosion process and their mechanisms in southwestern China, a typical karst-dominated region, are essential. While soil erosion processes have been studied in Southwest China over the last ~60 years, longer-term records remain rare. Here, we examined soil erosion processes over the past ~250 years in Chongqing Municipality, located in northern Southwest China, utilizing 137 Cs, 210 Pb, and AMS 14 C dating on sediments profiles from two karst depressions. These results were compared with published soil erosion modulus data to understand spatial changes in Southwest China. The results exhibited high soil erosion modulus from ~1750s to ~1935–1945 AD at both depressions, relating to the Hu-Guang Fills Sichuan Migration, Zea mays cultivation expansion, and elevated precipitation. Erosion modulus declined after ~1935–1945 AD likely due to wartime impacts. Slight soil erosion peaks appeared during ~1950–1960 AD, linked to the Great Leap Forward and the Great Steel Campaign. From ~1960s to 2018 AD, long-term soil erosion declines occurred. By compiling published data in Southwest China, we found widespread decline in soil erosion modulus during this period. We attribute this to reduced erodible soil stocks due to earlier severe erosion, combined with large-scale ecological restoration projects implemented since the 1990s. This study provides scientific bases for improving sustainability of karst ecological restoration projects. Supplementary Material File (runsheng he. manuscript--.docx) Download 23.35 MB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 18 August 2025 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords ecological restoration human activities soil erosion modulus southwest china the great steel campaign Authors Affiliations Runsheng He 0009-0007-6228-9523 Chongqing Normal University View all articles by this author Ting Chen [email protected] Chongqing Normal University View all articles by this author Ran Wei Chongqing Normal University View all articles by this author Xingping Wei Chongqing Normal University View all articles by this author Liuliu Feng Chongqing Normal University View all articles by this author Junbing Pu 0000-0003-0418-4719 Chongqing Normal University View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 153 views 87 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Runsheng He, Ting Chen, Ran Wei, et al. A decline in soil erosion modulus occurred widely in Southwest China since the 1960s. Authorea . 18 August 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.175550062.28368874/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . Format Please select one from the list RIS (ProCite, Reference Manager) EndNote BibTex Medlars RefWorks Direct import Tips for downloading citations document.getElementById('citMgrHelpLink').addEventListener('click', function() { popupHelp(this.href); return false; }); $(".js__slcInclude").on("change", function(e){ if ($(this).val() == 'refworks') $('#direct').prop("checked", false); $('#direct').prop("disabled", ($(this).val() == 'refworks')); }); View Options View options PDF View PDF Figures Tables Media Share Share Share article link Copy Link Copied! Copying failed. 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