Near-zero land degradation in China’s mountains driven by restoration and climate dynamics

Mountain ecosystems in China have experienced increasing pressure from rapid urbanization and population growth, exacerbating land degradation in these vulnerable areas. Here we assessed changes in degraded mountain land across China from 2000 to 2022 using satellite observations, soil carbon data, and a framework developed under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. We evaluated degradation through changes in land cover, land productivity, and soil organic carbon. During 2015–2022, the proportion of degraded mountain land declined by 2.3%, while restored areas increased by 12.02% compared with 2000–2015, indicating near-zero net degradation. Areas under major ecological restoration programs generally showed more favorable trends than other mountain regions. Climatic factors, particularly evapotranspiration and minimum temperature, together with grazing intensity and population density, were strongly associated with degradation risk. Our findings provide guidance for mountain restoration and sustainable land management in China and beyond. China’s mountains showed near zero net land degradation in 2015–2022, with degraded areas down 2.3% and restored areas up 12.02%, driven by climate and human factors, using remote sensing and soil carbon data within the United Nations framework.