Steep slopes, characterized by their high gradient and limited soil and water resources, pose significant challenges to plant colonization. Consequently, the ecological restoration of steep slopes is one of the major challenges in the field of mine site rehabilitation. This study evaluated the impact of slope conditions on the restoration effectiveness during the early stages of ecological restoration. Two ecological restoration slopes with different slope conditions, excavated slope and filled slope, were selected, and restored by hanging net and soil spraying measures. The unrepaired slope was used as the control. The results showed that ecological restoration has a significant effect for soil and water conservation; runoff and sediment were reduced by 61.38% and 99.28%, respectively, and infiltration increased by 104.26%, compared to untreated slopes. Furthermore, ecological restoration could effectively reduce runoff erosion dynamics and soil erodibility, and alter the runoff–sediment relationship on slopes, thereby substantially influencing the yield processes of runoff and sediment of the slopes. Notably, the reduction effect of ecological restoration measures on runoff and sediment was more significant on excavated slopes than on filled slopes. The runoff and sediment yield of excavated slopes were 19.06% and 53.77% lower than that of filled slopes, respectively. From a soil and water conservation perspective, the ecological restoration measures of hanging net and soil spraying were more suitable for application to steep excavated rock slopes. However, further research is needed to evaluate its applicability to filled slopes.

In the context of the large-scale management of the Loess Plateau and efforts to reduce water and sediment in the Yellow River, this study focuses on a typical watershed within the Loess Plateau. The potential for vegetation restoration in the Kuye River Basin is estimated based on the assumption that vegetation cover should be relatively uniform under similar habitat conditions. The potential for terrace restoration is assessed through an analysis of topographic features and soil layer thickness, while the potential for silt dam construction is evaluated by considering various hydrological and geomorphological factors. Based on these assessments, the overall potential for soil erosion control in the watershed is synthesized, providing a comprehensive understanding of target areas for ecological restoration within the Kuye River Basin. The study demonstrates that the areas with the greatest potential for vegetation restoration in the Kuye River Basin are concentrated in the upper and middle reaches of the basin, which are in closer proximity to the river. The total potential for terracing is 1013.85 km², which is primarily distributed across the river terraces, farmlands, and gentle slopes on both sides of the riverbanks. Additionally, the potential for the construction of check dams is 14,390 units. The target areas for terracing measures in the Kuye River Basin are primarily situated in the middle and lower reaches of the basin, which are in closer proximity to the river. Conversely, the target areas for forest, grass, and check dams, as well as other small watershed integrated management measures, are predominantly located in the hill and gully areas on the eastern and southern sides of the basin. The implementation of the gradual ecological construction of the watershed, based on the aforementioned objectives, will facilitate the protection, improvement, and rational utilization of soil, water, and other natural resources within the watershed.

This study analyzes precipitation patterns and future trends in the Kuye River Basin in the context of climate change, providing a scientific foundation for water resource management and ecological protection. Using methods such as the Mann–Kendall test, Pettitt test, and complex Morlet wavelet analysis, this study examines both interannual and intra-annual variability in historical precipitation data, identifying abrupt changes and periodic patterns. Future projections are based on CMIP5 models under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, forecasting changes over the next 30 years (2023–2052). The results reveal significant spatiotemporal variability in precipitation, with 88.16% concentrated in the summer and flood seasons, while only 1.07% falls in winter. The basin’s multi-year average precipitation is 445 mm, exhibiting stable interannual variability, but with a significant increase starting in 2006. Projections indicate that the average annual precipitation will rise to 524.69 mm from 2023 to 2052, with a notable change point in 2043. Precipitation is expected to increase spatially from northwest to southeast. This research underscores the importance of understanding precipitation dynamics in managing drought and flood risks. It highlights the role of soil and water conservation and vegetation restoration in improving water resource efficiency, supporting sustainable development, and guiding climate adaptation strategies.

This study systematically evaluated the response mechanisms of water and sediment processes in the Kuye River Basin to climate change and human activities from 2023 to 2053 by integrating multi-source climate scenarios (CMIP5 models), land-use change projections (based on the Markov chain model), and a distributed hydrological model (SWAT model). The results indicate that under the RCP8.5 high-emission scenario, annual precipitation in the basin shows a non-significant increasing trend but with intensified interannual variability. Spatially, precipitation exhibits a pattern of increasing from northwest to southeast, with a marked decadal transition occurring around 2043. Land-use structure undergoes significant transformation, with construction land projected to account for 30.54% of the total basin area by 2050, while grassland and cropland continue to decline. Water and sediment processes display distinct phased characteristics: a fluctuating adjustment phase (2023–2033), a relatively stable phase (2034–2043), and a sharp growth phase (2044–2053). Parameter sensitivity analysis identifies the curve number (CN2) and soil bulk density (SOL_BD) as key regulatory parameters, revealing the synergistic mechanism by which land-use changes amplify climatic effects through alterations in surface properties. Based on the findings, an adaptive watershed management framework is proposed, encompassing dynamic water resource regulation, spatial zoning, targeted erosion control, and iterative scientific management. Particular emphasis is placed on addressing hydrological transition risks around 2043 and promoting low-impact development practices in high-erosion areas. This study provides a scientific basis for the integrated management of water and soil resources in the context of ecological conservation and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin. The methodology developed herein offers a valuable reference for predicting water and sediment processes and implementing adaptive management in similar semi-arid basins.

The resource utilization of distillers’ grain-derived organic fertilizer is of significant importance for promoting green production of sorghum in Maotai-flavor Baijiu-producing regions and for soil and water conservation on sloping croplands. To determine its appropriate application rate and to clarify its synergistic effects on sorghum growth, soil properties, and soil loss, a runoff-plot experiment was conducted on typical sloping farmland in Renhuai, Guizhou Province. A no-fertilization control (CK) and gradient treatments of distillers’ grain organic fertilizer ranging from 1500 to 10,500 kg ha⁻¹ were established. Responses of sorghum growth, yield components, soil physicochemical properties, aggregate composition, and soil loss were evaluated, and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to elucidate the pathways regulating soil erosion. The results demonstrated a pronounced dose–response relationship between distillers’ grain organic fertilizer application and sorghum growth and yield formation. The treatment receiving 6000 kg ha⁻¹ of distillers’ grain organic fertilizer exhibited superior performance in plant height, stem diameter, dry weight per plant, grain dry weight per panicle, and root development. Notably, grain dry weight per panicle and root biomass increased by 307.4% and 130.8%, respectively, compared with CK. Fertilization increased soil organic matter content in the 0–10 cm soil layer and altered the particle size distribution of soil aggregates. Except for the 1500 kg ha⁻¹ treatment, all fertilization treatments reduced total soil loss during the monitoring period. The treatment receiving 9000 kg ha⁻¹ achieved the greatest reduction, decreasing soil loss by 43.8% relative to CK, while the treatment receiving 6000 kg ha⁻¹ reduced soil loss by 38.8%. PLS-SEM results indicated that both root development and yield components were significantly negatively correlated with soil loss. However, the direct effect of fertilization on soil loss was not significant, suggesting that distillers’ grain organic fertilizer primarily reduces erosion risk indirectly by improving soil properties and promoting root development and yield formation. Overall, an application rate of 6000 kg ha⁻¹ of distillers’ grain organic fertilizer for sorghum cultivation on sloping cropland under the conditions of this experiment.