Work

Assessing the contribution of wind and water erosion in the agro-pastoral ecotone of Northern China with 137Cs tracer technology

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study focuses on the important ecological challenges facing agricultural and pastoral areas in northern China: soil wind and water erosion, both of which contribute significantly to soil degradation. Understanding the relative impacts of these erosion types is crucial for effective erosion control measures. We explored the ratio of soil wind erosion to water erosion in an agro-pastoral zone based on topographic and geomorphic conditions using the 137Cs tracer method. The study showed that cropland is the land type that has suffered the most severe erosion in the region in recent decades. Specifically, on gentle slopes (6–8°), the rate of water erosion exceeded the rate of wind erosion by a factor of about eight, while on steeper slopes (10–15°) this trend was more pronounced, with the rate of water erosion exceeding the rate of wind erosion by a factor of about 27. This result was verified by the measured data in the previous study area. Taken together, water erosion dominates in the agricultural and pastoral areas of northern China, while wind erosion takes second place. Future erosion prevention strategies should prioritize hydraulic erosion control measures on sloping cropland. In addition, it is crucial to promote research on the compound mechanism of wind and water erosion to adopt more effective erosion control measures and ensure the sustainable development of the ecological environment in the region.

Source: Scientific Reports

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-99457-z