Objective The Fenhe River Basin is situated in the central reaches of the Yellow River Basin, where soil erosion is a significant issue. Despite the notable advancements in soil erosion control in the Fenhe River Basin in recent years, the prevalence of severe erosion in certain regions persists. In order to provide strong support for the sustainable development of socio-economics and the ecological environment, it is urgent that we grasp the spatial and temporal patterns and variation characteristics.

Methods Accordingly, this study estimated the spatial pattern of soil erosion in the Fenhe River Basin from 2000 to 2023 based on the CSLE model. The application of Geographic Information Evolution (GEO) mapping facilitated the analysis of spatial and temporal variability patterns of soil erosion in the watershed over the past 20 years, and the coupled mapping method was utilized to explore the drivers of spatial and temporal changes in soil erosion using land cover.

Results 1) the proportion of non-eroded areas in the Fenhe River Basin exceeded 50% in 2000, 2010, and 2023. 2) The trend exhibited by soil erosion in the basin was one of initial improvement, followed by exacerbation. The primary factor contributing to the improvement in soil erosion was the conversion of mild erosion to non-erosion. However, from 2010 to 2023, the substantial increase in the areas of mild and moderate erosion resulted in the deterioration of erosion in certain regions. 3) The non-eroded areas constituted the largest proportion in cropland, while mild erosion accounted for the largest proportion in forestry, and grassland was primarily characterized by mild erosion. 4) From 2000 to 2023, the predominant types of soil erosion evolution were stable and fluctuating stable types. The soil erosion intensity evolution types remained relatively stable, with less than 0.05% of the area undergoing two evolution types. Among the areas that experienced changes in land cover, approximately 76.47% of the areas exhibited improvements in soil erosion, with the reduction in grassland and the increase in farmland accounting for the largest proportion of the improved areas.

Conclusions Consequently, for the Fenhe River Basin, it is imperative to perpetuate endeavors to fortify soil and water conservation measures following the conversion of slope cropland. Moreover, there is a necessity to enhance oversight of soil erosion in low-coverage, poorly structured artificial forests characterized by incomplete vertical structures, as well as in forestry and grassland areas that have been abandoned subsequent to conversion or have been left unmanaged following abandonment.