Spatial and temporal dynamics of rainfall erosivity in the karst region of southwest China: Interannual and seasonal changes

Global warming changes global and regional patterns of precipitation, which will inevitably lead to more severe soil erosion risks in fragile karst ecosystems. Understanding the variation pattern of rainfall erosivity is vital for preventing and controlling soil erosion in the karst region of southwestern (SW) China. In this study, the spatiotemporal dynamic evolution pattern of the rainfall erosivity throughout the year in the karst region of SW China was explored using regression analysis and the Mann-Kendall test based on the monthly rainfall data for 1901-2020 in the CRU_TS 4.05 dataset. The results indicate that: (1) The rainfall erosivity in the karst region of SW China varies with latitude and is more significant in the south, and its interannual variations are linear and positive. (2) The interannual linear increase in rainfall erosivity was the greatest in the peak forest-plain rocky desertification control zone (FLPY). (3) The rainfall erosivity exhibited an increasing trend in spring, summer, and winter, with the most significant increase in January. (4) More variability was observed on the monthly scale. In summary, future investigations and control of soil erosion in the karst region of SW China under climate change should focus on the critical times when (e.g., January) and areas where (e.g., peak forest-plain rocky desertification control zone) rainfall erosivity changes significantly. Identifying the shift in the rainfall erosivity patterns caused by climate change is critical for assessing soil erosion risks in karst areas and for formulating countermeasures.

Automated summary

Global warming alters precipitation patterns globally, leading to increased soil erosion risks in fragile karst ecosystems. This study examined the spatiotemporal evolution of rainfall erosivity in the karst region of SW China based on regression analysis and the Mann-Kendall test. The results showed that rainfall erosivity varies with latitude, with a greater impact in the south, and exhibits positive linear interannual variations. The study also found that rainfall erosivity has an increasing trend in spring, summer, and winter, with the most significant increase in January.