Soil erosion is a popular environmental issue that threatens sustainability. Influenced by multiple factors, such as climate, soil, and terrain, Baotou City, which is in the Bohai Sea Economic Circle and the Economic Belt along the Yellow River, has a severe ecological environment. In this study, revised soil and soil wind erosion equations were used to evaluate the soil erosion dynamics in Baotou City, and the potential driving factors of soil erosion were further investigated. Results showed that from 1990 to 2020, the water erosion modulus in Baotou City increased first, decreased, and then increased, with great fluctuations in annual changes. The wind erosion modulus decreased continuously, with a small fluctuation in annual changes. Water erosion in 2020 was more severe, with 4840.5 km² added to the desert steppe and 1300.5 km² reduced in the Yellow River Basin. The extent of wind erosion was significantly reduced, and the phenomenon of wind erosion improved. Meteorological factors are the primary factors that influence soil water erosion and soil wind erosion. Meanwhile, adverse climate changes can alter physical and chemical soil properties and vegetation coverage, thereby indirectly influencing soil erosion. With the implementation of the Beijing–Tianjin sandstorm source control, the farmland return to forest project, the ecological restoration and protection project at the southern and northern foothills of Daqingshan Mountains, grazing prohibition, and rotation grazing—including grassland awards, subsidies, and other policies and systems during this period—the overall deteriorating trend of the grassland ecological environment in Baotou was contained, grassland ecological system functions were improved, wind and sand erosion was prevented, biodiversity was maintained, and the ecological service functions of soil and water conservation were guaranteed.

Plants’ root properties are closely related to their ecological adaptability. This study aimed to clarify the differences in root properties of Stipa krylovii under different grazing disturbances. The morphological characteristics of root length, root surface area, root volume, root tip number, specific root length, and specific surface area of S. krylovii were compared under no grazing, light grazing, moderate grazing and heavy grazing conditions. The ecological adaptability to grazing pressure was also examined. Results showed that the underground biomass density decreased with the increase in grazing intensity. Grazing disturbance can lead to changes in plant community characteristics, and roots adapt to changes in these environmental factors by adjusting their distribution. Among the six root configuration parameters, those under light grazing were significantly higher than those under the other grazing types. The root length and root surface area were concentrated in the range of 0–2 mm. Mild grazing and moderate grazing were conducive to fine root penetration and contact with soil. Moderate grazing disturbance was beneficial to grassland vegetation productivity and played an important role in the stability and sustainable utilization of grassland ecosystem.

In arid and semiarid regions, vegetation provides essential ecosystem services, especially retarding the desertification process. Vegetation assessment through remote sensing data is crucial in understanding ecosystem responses to climatic factors and large-scale human activities. This study analyzed vegetation cover changes in the Ulan Buh Desert from 1989 to 2019, focusing on the impacts of human activities and key meteorological factors. The results showed that both climatic and human activities contributed to an increasing trend in vegetation cover (normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)) over the 30-year period. Temperature and precipitation significantly affected the NDVI in the desert, with temperature having a more substantial influence. The combined impact of average temperature and precipitation on the NDVI was notable. Human activities and meteorological factors caused the vegetation restoration area in the desert to be approximately 35% from 1989 to 2019. Human activities were the primary influencers, responsible for about 60% of vegetation restoration across the study area. Especially from 2004 to 2019, the conversion to farmland driven by human activities dominated the region’s NDVI increase. The research underscores the importance of considering both climatic and human factors in understanding and managing ecosystem dynamics in arid areas like the Ulan Buh Desert. By integrating these factors, policymakers and land managers can develop more effective strategies for sustainable ecosystem management and combating desertification.