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In recent years, bioleaching has emerged as a cost-effective technology for enhancing the dewaterability of sludge. However, the lengthy treatment time involved in sludge bioleaching processes limits daily treatment capacity for sludge. Here, a novel approach was developed through a short time of sludge bioleaching with A. ferrooxidans LX5 (A. f) and A. thiooxidans TS6 (A. t) followed by polyferric sulfate (PFS) flocculation (A. f + A. t + PFS). After 12.5 h of the A. f + A. t + PFS treatment (30% A. f, 10% A. t , 40 mg/g DS S0, 60 mg/g DS FeSO 4 •7H 2 O, and 120 mg/g DS PFS), the reduction efficiency of specific resistance to filtration (SRF) and sludge cake moisture content reached 94.0% and 11.6%, respectively, which were comparable to the results achieved through 24 h of completed bioleaching treatment. In pilot-scale applications, the mechanical dewatering performance was notably improved following A. f + A. t + PFS treatment, with the low moisture content of the treated sludge cake (∼59.2%). This study provides new insights into the A. f + A. t + PFS process and holds potential for developing efficient and promising sludge dewatering strategies in engineering application. [Display omitted] • Introducing PFS flocculation promoted sludge bioleaching dewatering efficiency. • Reduction efficiency of SRF reached 94.0% after 12.5 h of A. f + A. t + PFS treatment. • Bio-acidification, bio-substitution and PFS flocculation simultaneously occurred. • Co-driven bioleaching of A. ferrooxidans and A. thiooxidans caused low sludge pH. • In pilot-scale applications, the moisture content of treated sludge cake was ∼59.2%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peanut web blotch (PWB) caused by Phoma arachidicola , is one of the most serious foliar diseases of peanut. Although prochloraz is an active fungicide with broad anti-fungal spectrum, it has not been registered for the control of PWB in China. The activity of prochloraz against P. arachidicola and the risk of resistance to prochloraz in P. arachidicola are still unclear. In current study, the inhibitory activity of prochloraz against 96 P. arachidicola strains was determined with the average EC 50 value of 1.2700 ± 0.7786 μg/mL. Prochloraz exhibited excellent protective and curative effect on detached peanut leaves, and the effect was obviously better than that of carbendazim and difenoconazole at the same concentration. After prochloraz treatment, the mycelium of P. arachidicola contorted, shrunk and ruptured, with shrinking of cell wall and membrane, enhanced cell membrane permeability, and reduced ergosterol content. Totally 80 prochloraz-resistant mutants were obtained by fungicide adaptation with the frequency of 6.7 × 10−3. All the selected 12 prochloraz-resistant mutants lost their resistance to prochloraz after 10 transfers on PDA plates. And these mutants exhibited decreased biological fitness in mycelial growth and pathogenicity. Moreover, there was positive cross-resistance between prochloraz and other demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicides, such as tebuconazole, triflumizole and difenoconazole, but no cross-resistance was found between prochloraz and other classes of fungicides, such as carbendazim, pydiflumetofen or fludioxonil. Overexpression of PaCYP51 and PaAtrB genes were detected in the resistant mutants. All the above results demonstrated that prochloraz has a great potential in management of PWB. The risk of P. arachidicola developing resistance to prochloraz is relatively low-to-medium. Overexpressing of PaCYP51 and PaAtrB might be linked to prochloraz resistance in P. arachidicola. [Display omitted] • The baseline sensitivity of Phoma arachidicola to prochloraz was established • Prochloraz affects membrane permeability and ergosterol biosynthesis of P. arachidicola. • Prochloraz provided excellent control efficacy against peanut web blotch. • The risk of resistance to prochloraz is relatively low-to-medium in P. arachidicola. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Response behavior of individuals is of critical importance to decrease chances of injury and death as well as ameliorate costs in property and infrastructure damage in natural disasters. Plenty of studies have examined which factors motivate individuals to respond to natural disasters. However, a systematic overview of the key motivating factors of various response behaviors is lacking. This study conducts a series of meta-analyses using data of 53,713 samples from 87 studies (77 papers) conducted in 27 different countries and regions to examine how 17 motivational factors were associated with individuals' response to natural disasters. The results indicate self-efficacy, outcome efficacy, attitudes, subjective norms, and information acquisition show the strongest effects on response behavior. Contrarily, the impact of negative affects like fear, depression, and anxiety on victims is minimal, despite the common assumption that they are significant related to response behaviour. In addition, current studies have disproportionally focused on studying risk perception, experience and information acquisition, earthquake and hurricane, and evacuation and preparation, while attention given to other types of motivational factors, disasters and response behaviors is lacking. • The 17 motivational factors and 6 demographic factors for individual's responses to natural disasters are extracted, and the relationship between motivational factors and individual's responses are discussed. • Self-efficacy, outcome efficacy and personal attitudes are the most significant motivational factors influencing people's response behavior. • Information acquisition in natural disaster plays a very important role in motivating people's positive and suitable behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contamination of antibiotic resistomes due to animal carcass decay has become a serious environmental concern. However, the relationship between main metabolite compounds of corpse decomposition (i.e., putrescine and cadaverine) and antibiotic resistomes remains unclear. To tackle this issue, the response of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and microbiome in aquatic environment to excess putrescine, cadaverine and a mixture of both based on laboratory simulation experiment was investigated by high-throughput quantitative PCR and amplicon sequencing methods. Our results showed putrescine and cadaverine led to the increasing of TC (total carbon) and TN (total nitrogen) both in water and sediment. Under the exposure of putrescine and cadaverine, the total abundance of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and most ARGs in water was higher than in sediment. In particular, putrescine and cadaverine caused significantly different decreases in alpha diversity of microbial community in water and sediment compared with the control group. Microbial community structures both in water and sediment were also significantly affected by cadaverine and putrescine. Furthermore, putrescine and cadaverine led to different degrees of increases of high-risk ARGs (like mecA) and opportunistic pathogens (like Delftia) in sediment, promoting the prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria. In conclusion, our findings revealed the influences of main metabolites of carcass decay on microbiome and resistomes, providing references for risk assessment and pollution management. • The response of resistomes to putrescine and cadaverine was investigated for the first time. • Putrescine and cadaverine influenced resistomes in aquatic environment. • Putrescine and cadaverine led to the increasing of high-risk resistomes in sediment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared the N protein sequences of genotype J with other genotypes of IHNV to select amino acid residues that may be related to the change in viral virulence. The recombinant viruses containing different mutation sites were rescued by alanine scanning mutagenesis and the reverse genetic system. The nine recombinant virus strains obtained in this work were named rIHNV-N 85 , rIHNV-N 102 , rIHNV-N 146 , rIHNV-N 380 , rIHNV-N 85-102-146 , rIHNV-N 85-102-380 , rIHNV-N 85-146-380 , rIHNV-N 102-146-380 , and rIHNV-N 85-102-146-380. Pathogenicity and immunity assays were performed to determine the role of virulence sites. The result of the pathogenicity test showed that the survival rates of rIHNV-N 85 , rIHNV-N 102 , rIHNV-N 85-102-146 , and rIHNV-N 85-102-380 groups were 52.5%, 55%, 67.5%, and 57.5%, while the survival rate of wild-type (wt) IHNV HLJ-09 group was only 10%. The replication ability of recombinant viruses with substitutions at positions 85 and 102 was significantly inhibited in vivo and in vitro. The qRT-PCR result indicated that the cytokines of IFN1 , IL-8 , and IL-1β expression levels were increased in rIHNV-N 85 , rIHNV-N 102 , rIHNV-N 85-102-146 , and rIHNV-N 85-102-380 groups. In addition, these four recombinant viruses could cause the rainbow trout to produce anti-IHNV-specific antibodies immunoglobulin M (IgM) earlier, confirming that 85 and 102 amino acid residues of N protein affected the virulence and immunogenicity of IHNV. All these results suggest that mutations of the N protein virulence sites reduce virulence while retaining immunogenicity. This also provides a new idea for studying the virulence mechanism of rhabdoviruses and preparing attenuated vaccines. • Nine rIHNVs with N protein site mutations were rescued by reverse genetics. • Mutants in N protein attenuated IHNV replication. • Amino acid residues 85 and 102 in N protein were important sites affecting the virulence and immunogenicity of IHNV. • This study provides a new idea for studying the virulence mechanism of rhabdoviruses and preparing attenuated vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal carcass decay produces many poisonous metabolites and chemical pollutants, which pose potential ecological risks to the aquatic environment and human health. However, the effects of animal cadaver decomposition on high-risk antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and potential pathogens in different water types are still unknown. In this study, fifteen freshwater economic fish (Carassius auratus) corpses were put into three types of water (i.e., pond water, tap water, and domestic sewage) for a 100-day decomposition. Next generation sequencing and HT-qPCR were used to illustrate how corpse decomposition affected microbial communities and ARG profiles. Our results revealed that fish corpse degradation caused similar resistomes and microbiome in different water types. MLSB (Macrolide-Lincosamide-Streptogramin B), β-lactamase, sulfonamide, tetracycline resistance genes and transposase genes in the experimental groups were increased. Among them, tetracycline resistance genes were enriched by 224 to 136,218-fold during the process of corpse degradation. Furthermore, high-risk ARGs (ermB , floR and dfrA1), which resist to MLSB, multidrug and sulfonamide respectively, were significantly enriched in the cadaver groups and had co-occurrence patterns with opportunistic pathogens, such as Bacteroidetes , which was more than 37 times in carcass groups than that in control groups. The study is able to draw a general conclusion that cadaver decomposition of freshwater economic fish deteriorates the aquatic environment by affecting high-risk ARGs and pathogenic microorganisms regardless of water types, which poses potential threats to human health. Therefore, timely management and treatment of animal carcasses is of great significance to the protection of water environment. [Display omitted] • Fish corpse degradation caused similar resistomes and microbiome in different water types. • Fish cadaver decomposition led to enrichment of opportunistic pathogens and high-risk ARGs. • Corpse decay, microbiomes, MGEs and environment factors primarily affect ARG profiles. • Timely management and treatment of animal carcasses is of great significance to the protection of water environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbonization of Fe-Co based metal organic frameworks (Fe-Co-MOFs) in N 2 obtains an electrocatalyst with Fe-Co anchored on N-doped porous carbon. The ratio of Fe and Co in the alloy can be controlled by adjusting the carbonization temperature. The electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) could be enhanced by the subtle Fe-Co modification significantly. Among these electrocatalysts, the Fe-Co/NC-800 presents the best HER and OER activity as well as reaction kinetics. The overpotentials at the current density of 10 ​mA ​cm-2 of Fe-Co/NC-800 are 182 and 279 ​mV (vs. RHE) for HER and OER, respectively. The Tafel slopes of Fe-Co/NC-800 are 157.8 and 42.7 ​mV dec-1 for HER and OER, respectively. The results suggest that adjusting carbonization temperature of Fe-Co-MOFs is an effective method to prepare highly efficient non-noble metal bifunctional electrocatalysts for electrochemical water splitting. A N-doped porous carbon anchored by Fe-Co efficient non-noble metal bifunctional electrocatalyst for HER and OER. The remarkable electrocatalytic performance will makes its potential to be used on electrocatalytic water splitting. [Display omitted] • The overpotentials at the current density of 10 ​mA ​cm-2 of Fe-Co/NC-800 are 182 and 279 ​mV (vs. RHE) for HER and OER, respectively. • The Tafel slopes of Fe-Co/NC-800 are 157.8 and 42.7 ​mV dec-1 for HER and OER, respectively. • The charge transfer resistance of Fe-Co/NC-800 is only 40 ​Ω, indcating a faster charge transfer process during the electrocatalytic reaction process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil texture is one of the most important indicators of soil physical properties, which has traditionally been measured through laborious procedures. Approaches utilizing visible near-infrared spectroscopy, with their advantages in efficiency, eco-friendliness and non-destruction, are emerging as potent alternatives. Nevertheless, these approaches often suffer from limitations in classification accuracy, and the substantial impact of spectral preprocessing, model integration, and sample matrix effect is commonly disregarded. Here a novel 11-class soil texture classification strategy that address this challenge by combining Multiplicative Scatter Correction (MSC) with Residual Network (ResNet) models was presented, resulting in exceptional classification accuracy. Utilizing the LUCAS dataset, collected by the Land Use and Cover Area frame Statistical Survey project, we thoroughly evaluated eight spectral preprocessing methods. Our findings underscored the superior performance of MSC in reducing spatial complexity within spectral data, showcasing its crucial role in enhancing model precision. Through comparisons of three 1D CNN models and two ResNet models integrated with MSC, we established the superior performance of the MSC-incorporated ResNet model, achieving an overall accuracy of 98.97 % and five soil textures even reached 100.00 %. The ResNet model demonstrated a marked superiority in classifying datasets with similar features, as observed by the confusion matrix analysis. Moreover, we investigated the potential benefit of pre-categorization based on land cover type of the soil samples in enhancing the accuracy of soil texture classification models, achieving overall classification accuracies exceeding 99.39 % for woodland, grassland, and farmland with the 2-layer ResNet model. The proposed work provides a pioneering and efficient strategy for rapid and precise soil texture identification via visible near-infrared spectroscopy, demonstrating unparalleled accuracy compared to existing methods, thus significantly enhancing the practical application prospects in soil, agricultural and environmental science. • A Vis-NIR based soil texture classification approach fusing MSC and ResNet. • Achieved an identification accuracy of 98.97 % across eleven soil textures. • Revealed the pivotal role of MSC in enhancing soil texture classification models. • Explored the promotional effect of pre-categorization strategy based on land cover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An activator, corn straw biochar, was produced and applied in persulfate-based oxidation to remove benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) in polluted aqueous solution and soil. Polluted aqueous solution remediation results showed that at pH 7, approximately 88.4% of BaP was removed by 10 mM of persulfate activated by 1.6 g/L of biochar, and degradation played a dominant role. Polluted soil remediation results demonstrated that the activated persulfate solution (at 9 g/L) by biochar (at 3 wt% of soil) can remove 93.2% of BaP. In remediation of BaP-polluted soil, increasing biochar dosage and persulfate concentration accelerated BaP degradation to some extent, while excessive biochar or persulfate inhibited the degradation of BaP probably due to the unnecessary SO 4 − consumption. The biochar-activated persulfate oxidation reflected a good performance in tolerating the influences of background electrolytes (such as HCO 3 −, Cl−, and humic acid (HA)) in soil on BaP remediation. In addition, in the removal of BaP by the oxidation systems activated by biochar, persulfate was proved as a superior oxidant compared to peroxymonosulfate and H 2 O 2 , and the removal efficiencies of BaP were 93.2%, 86.5%, and 84.4% under the same treatment condition. To sum up, the biochar-activated persulfate oxidation would be a potential application in remediation of BaP-polluted aqueous solution and soil. Image 1 • Corn straw was used as a low-cost material to prepare biochar for soil remediation. • Biochar could effectively activate persulfate to degrade BaP in soil. • Both adsorption and degradation contributed in BaP removal. • Biochar tolerated the influences of background electrolytes during soil remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) primarily infects larvae and young salmonid with serious economic losses, which causes haemorrhage and putrescence of hepatopancreas. To develop a more effective oral vaccine against IPNV infection, the aeromonas hydrophila adhesion (AHA1) gene was used as a targeting molecule for intestinal epithelial cells. A genetically engineered Lactobacillus casei (pPG-612-AHA1-CK6-VP2/ L. casei 393) was constructed to express the AHA1-CK6-VP2 fusion protein. The expression of interest protein was confirmed by western blotting and the immunogenicity of pPG-612-AHA1-CK6-VP2/ L. casei 393 was evaluated. And the results showed that more pPG-612-AHA1-CK6-VP2/ L. casei 393 were found in the intestinal mucosal surface of the immunized group. The Lactobacillus -derived AHA1-CK6-VP2 fusion protein could induce the production of serum IgM and skin mucus IgT specific for IPNV with neutralizing activity in rainbow trouts. The levels of IL-1β , IL-8 and TNF-α isolated from the lymphocytes stimulated by AHA1-CK6-EGFP produced were significantly higher than EGFP group. For transcription levels of IL-1β , IL-8, CK6 , MHC-II , Mx and TNF-1α in the spleen, the result indicated that the adhesion and target chemokine recruit more immune cells to induce cellular immunity. The level of IPNV in the immunized group of pPG-612-AHA1-CK6-VP2/ L. casei 393 was significantly lower than that in the control groups. These data indicated that the adhesion and target chemokine could enhance antigen delivery efficiency, which provides a valuable strategy for the development of IPNV recombination Lactobacillus casei oral vaccine in the future. • The AHA1 and CK6 were co-expressed with VP2 of IPNV in expression system of Lactobacillus casei to prepare oral lactobacillus vaccine. • The L. casei 393 delivering the VP2 in combination with AHA1-CK6 can prolong the time of antigen in intestine and promote immune responses in rainbow trouts. • The genetically engineered pPG-612-AHA1-CK6-VP2/ L.casei 393 was able to effectively induce immune responses at both the systemic and mucosal levels. • The recombinant pPG-612-AHA1-CK6-VP2/ L.casei 393 is a promising candidate for the development of an oral vaccine against IPNV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corpse decomposition is of great significance to the carbon cycle of natural ecosystem. Carbon fixation is a carbon conversion process that converts carbon dioxide into organic carbon, which greatly contributes to carbon emission reduction. However, the effects of wild animal carcass decay on carbon-fixing microbes in grassland soil environment are still unknown. In this research, thirty wild mammal (Ochotona curzoniae) corpses were placed on alpine meadow soil to study the carbon storage and carbon-fixing microbiota succession for a 94-day decomposition using next-generation sequencing. Our results revealed that 1) the concentration of total carbon increased approximately 2.24–11.22% in the corpse group. 2) Several carbon-fixing bacterial species (Calothrix parietina, Ancylobacter rudongensis , Rhodopseudomonas palustris) may predict the concentration of total carbon. 3) Animal cadaver degradation caused the differentiation of carbon-fixing microbiota structures during succession and made the medium-stage networks of carbon-fixing microbes more complicated. 4) The temporal turnover rate in the experimental groups was higher than that in the control groups, indicating a quick change of gravesoil carbon-fixing microbiota. 5) The deterministic process dominates the assembly mechanism of experimental groups (ranging from 53.42% to 94.94%), which reflects that the carbon-fixing microbial community in gravesoil can be regulated. Under global climate change, this study provides a new perspective for understanding the effects of wild animal carcass decay on soil carbon storage and carbon-fixing microbes. [Display omitted] • Corpse decay changed the structure of soil carbon-fixing microbes. • Carcass decay improved the complexity of the medium-stage network. • The deterministic process dominated the assembly mechanism all the time. • The resistance of soil environment to carcass decay were shown by the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To better perform space missions and develop human spaceflights, the eye health of astronauts is receiving increasing attention from researchers. In this study, we used prolonged tail suspension to simulate microgravity cephalad fluid shift in space to observe intraocular pressure (IOP) changes, retinal structure, and optic nerve damage in rats. We observed significant choroidal thickening and optic nerve demyelination lesions in the rats in each experimental group. At the cellular level, retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) survival was significantly reduced, optic nerve oligodendrocytes were reduced, and apoptotic factors and microglia-mediated inflammation-related factors were detected in both the retina and optic nerve. The severity of these changes increased with increasing tails suspension time. In conclusion, simulated long-term microgravity can lead to slight intraocular pressure fluctuations, choroidal thickening, reduced RGCs survival, and optic nerve demyelination in rats. • During the simulated long-term weightlessness, the IOP of rats fluctuated to some extent, but the fluctuation interval was within the range of normal IOP, the choroidal thickness of both eyes of rats was significantly thickened. • The expression of Iba1 and Cas3 in the retina and optic nerve was up-regulated during simulated long-term weightlessness. • The survival rate of retinal ganglion cells was significantly reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co 8 FeS 8 /Fe 7 S 8 @N-doped porous carbons (Co 8 FeS 8 /Fe 7 S 8 @NC) were prepared via a simple two-step pyrolysis method. Co 8 FeS 8 /Fe 7 S 8 @NC contains Co 8 FeS 8 , Fe 7 S 8 , amorphous and graphitic carbon. Existence of a large number of mesopores in the sample was conducive to the transmission of mass and electrons as well as exposure of active sites. Co 8 FeS 8 /Fe 7 S 8 @NC-0.8 needs overpotentials of 255 and 315 ​mV to achieve the current density of 10 ​mA ​cm−2 and 100 ​mA ​cm−2, respectively. The lower Tafel slope (59.5 ​mV dec−1) and good durability have also been observed in the Co 8 FeS 8 /Fe 7 S 8 @NC-0.8. The 2C dl value of 83.7 ​mF ​cm−2 indicate that the introduction of 0.8 ​g thiourea could greatly improve the exposure of electrocatalytic active sites. Therefore, this research provides a new perspective for the development of efficient and low-cost electrocatalysts with industrial application prospect. [Display omitted] • Co 8 FeS 8 /Fe 7 S 8 @NC-0.8 only needs overpotentials of 255 and 265 ​mV to achieve the current density of 10 ​mA ​cm−2 and 100 ​mA ​cm−2, respectively. • The Co 8 FeS 8 /Fe 7 S 8 @NC-0.8 has a very low Tafel slope (59.5 ​mV dec−1) and good durability. • Introduction of thiourea (0.8g) could greatly improve the exposure of electrocatalytic active sites and reduce the interface resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a form of land degradation, soil erosion directly threatens the sustainability of natural resources and the environment. The impacts of humans on soil erosion are profound and complex, especially in the areas with frequent human activities. Moreover, the great variability of human activities at the spatial and time scales precludes a comprehensive understanding of how humans affect regional erosion. This study evaluated soil erosion by water from 1985 to 2015 occurring in South China, which is densely populated and has been intensively exploited, based on the Chinese Soil Loss Equation (CSLE) and multisource data including remote sensing images, meteorological station information and geographic data. A quantitative method combining traceability thinking and residual trend approach was employed to distinguish the relative contributions of climate change and human activities. The results showed that the average amount of soil erosion exhibited a significant decreasing trend from 1985 to 2015, which was consistent with the national water census data and previous studies. Anthropogenic factors played a more vital role than natural variables in the evolution of soil erosion, the multiyear average contribution of which was 63.90%. The area in which anthropogenic factors alleviated soil erosion covered approximately 83.70% of the study area. These results indicate that soil and water conservation practices have made outstanding contributions to the reduction of soil erosion in South China. However, the impacts of the expansion of building land and the development of plantations on aggravating soil erosion cannot be ignored. For future soil erosion control, we observed the diminishing marginal effect of investments in soil and water conservation, and a higher governance potential in the severely eroded regions, which made the severely eroded poor land a primary for comprehensive ecological management. This study aims to provide valuable insights for decision makers in South China to better understand the impacts of humans on the evolution of soil erosion and could provide scientific support for reducing regional soil loss and enhancing the sustainable development of the ecological environment. • Soil erosion in South China exhibited a clearly decreasing trend from 1985 to 2015. • Anthropogenic factors played a more impactful role than natural variables. • The effect of human activities was more likely to mitigate erosion. • Some meaningful soil and water conservation strategies were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a form of land degradation, soil erosion directly threatens the sustainability of natural resources and the environment. The impacts of humans on soil erosion are profound and complex, especially in the areas with frequent human activities. Moreover, the great variability of human activities at the spatial and time scales precludes a comprehensive understanding of how humans affect regional erosion. This study evaluated soil erosion by water from 1985 to 2015 occurring in South China, which is densely populated and has been intensively exploited, based on the Chinese Soil Loss Equation (CSLE) and multisource data including remote sensing images, meteorological station information and geographic data. A quantitative method combining traceability thinking and residual trend approach was employed to distinguish the relative contributions of climate change and human activities. The results showed that the average amount of soil erosion exhibited a significant decreasing trend from 1985 to 2015, which was consistent with the national water census data and previous studies. Anthropogenic factors played a more vital role than natural variables in the evolution of soil erosion, the multiyear average contribution of which was 63.90%. The area in which anthropogenic factors alleviated soil erosion covered approximately 83.70% of the study area. These results indicate that soil and water conservation practices have made outstanding contributions to the reduction of soil erosion in South China. However, the impacts of the expansion of building land and the development of plantations on aggravating soil erosion cannot be ignored. For future soil erosion control, we observed the diminishing marginal effect of investments in soil and water conservation, and a higher governance potential in the severely eroded regions, which made the severely eroded poor land a primary for comprehensive ecological management. This study aims to provide valuable insights for decision makers in South China to better understand the impacts of humans on the evolution of soil erosion and could provide scientific support for reducing regional soil loss and enhancing the sustainable development of the ecological environment. • Soil erosion in South China exhibited a clearly decreasing trend from 1985 to 2015. • Anthropogenic factors played a more impactful role than natural variables. • The effect of human activities was more likely to mitigate erosion. • Some meaningful soil and water conservation strategies were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]