Delineation and Intensity Classification of Freeze–Thaw Erosion in the Western Section of Northern China’s Agro-Pastoral Transition Zone Under Controlling Factors

Xiaoyan Ma, Weidong Ma, Fenggui Liu, Qiong Chen, Baicheng Niu and Qiang Zhou ()
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Xiaoyan Ma: School of Geography, Qinghai Normal University, Xining 810008, China
Weidong Ma: School of Geography, Qinghai Normal University, Xining 810008, China
Fenggui Liu: Academy of Plateau Science and Sustainability, Xining 810008, China
Qiong Chen: School of Geography, Qinghai Normal University, Xining 810008, China
Baicheng Niu: School of Geography, Qinghai Normal University, Xining 810008, China
Qiang Zhou: School of Geography, Qinghai Normal University, Xining 810008, China

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 11, 1-15

Abstract: Global warming has intensified freeze–thaw activity in high-latitude and high-altitude regions; along the western sector of the farming–pastoral ecotone in northern China, pronounced seasonal freeze–thaw cycles now pose a severe threat to land resources. This study aims to quantitatively reveal the spatial differentiation patterns of freeze–thaw erosion in the western segment and its influencing factors. This study begins with the fundamental concepts of freeze–thaw erosion, grounded in soil mechanical fragmentation and gravitational migration. Critical slope is used as the identification criterion to delineate freeze–thaw erosion zones. Building upon this foundation, a Random Forest model is employed to calculate the weighting factors influencing freeze–thaw erosion in the western segment of the northern agro-pastoral transition zone, thereby constructing a graded evaluation model for freeze–thaw erosion intensity. Results indicate the following: (1) Freeze–thaw erosion exhibits no discernible distribution pattern in the western segment, appearing scattered, while non-freeze–thaw erosion is primarily concentrated in the northern region. (2) Freeze–thaw erosion intensity ranges from 1.48 to 4.58 in the western segment. The total area of the study region is 151,000 km 2 , the affected area spans 122,400 km 2 , accounting for 81.11% of the total regional area. (3) Regionally, the Hehuang Valley exhibits predominantly strong and severe erosion, while the northern Loess Plateau shows mostly slight erosion. The southern Loess Plateau features light and moderate erosion with scattered instances of severe erosion. (4) Vegetation coverage and soil moisture are the primary contributing factors to freeze–thaw erosion. This study proposes, for the first time, a method that couples annual freeze–thaw day cycles with a critical slope threshold to delineate freeze–thaw erosion zones, demonstrating broad applicability. It systematically uncovers the spatial heterogeneity of freeze–thaw erosion in the western sector, substantially advancing scientific understanding of the process and providing a theoretical basis for its targeted management.

Keywords: freeze–thaw erosion; intensity classification; northern agro-pastoral transition zone; Loess Plateau (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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