Multiple spatial–temporal scale change patterns of rainfall erosivity in China over past 58 years based on gravity centre model

The rainfall erosivity in China have shown different change characteristics and patterns at different spatial–temporal scales. In this article, we introduced a gravity centre model for use in studying and analyzing the spatial–temporal distribution patterns of rainfall erosivity in China in the past 58 years combined with traditional geostatistical analysis methods at different spatial–temporal scales. During 1961–2018, rainfall erosivity in China showed a decreasing trend from southeast to northwest in spatial distribution. Moreover, the spatial distribution patterns of the annual average rainfall erosivity had been negatively affected by altitude. In terms of interannual variability, rainfall erosivity had shown a fluctuating upward trend in the past 58 years, with a steep upward slope in 1982 and a steep downward slope in 1990. In the past 58 years, the gravity centre of rainfall erosivity in China had moved southeastward, which indicated that the increment and increasing rate of rainfall erosivity in eastern and southern China were greater than those in western and northern China. These results could provide important data to support decisions regarding the prevention and control of soil erosion at regional and national scales.