Multidimensional assessment and precision restoration strategies for soil erosion in karst areas: Based on multi-scenario simulation

Karst landscapes are plagued by severe soil erosion due to their fractured lithology and complex hydrology, posing persistent challenges to erosion assessment and ecological restoration. However, current approaches often fail to account for the spatial heterogeneity and hydrological complexity typical of karst terrains. This study developed and compared four vegetation restoration scenarios—the status quo scenario, linear scenario, patch scenario, and combined scenario—using an integrated modeling framework based on the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and the sediment connectivity index (IC). The combined scenario, which integrates linear buffers with patch-based vegetation, showed superior performance in reducing both soil erosion and sediment connectivity. The patch scenario also shows strong adaptability in steep-slope areas because it effectively mitigates sediment transport potential. To improve restoration precision further, a slope- and karst desertification-sensitive vegetation configuration strategy was proposed. This study also introduced the use of bivariate Moran's I analysis to identify spatial hotspots of erosion and connectivity overlap. These results provide a novel methodology for evaluating multiscenario ecological restoration in karst regions. The findings offer practical guidance for implementing targeted soil and water conservation interventions and contribute to the broader goal of sustainable land management in ecologically fragile environments. • Systematic comparison of diverse multi-scenario models. • Refined vegetation configuration strategies for different slopes and degrees of karst desertification. • The incorporation of karst desertification factor to optimize the RUSLE model for soil erosion assessment in karst areas. • Bivariate spatial autocorrelation analyzed soil erosion risk evolution across scenarios and IC-erosion modulus trends. • Combining ecological restoration with landscape aesthetics offers new insights and practical guidance for karst areas.