Climate change and human activities impact soil erosion in the Xihe River Basin, China. Researchers studied rainfall, temperature, runoff, and sediment load from 1969–2015. They used Pettitt’s test and the SWAT model to analyze changes and simulate the hydrological cycle. Results show that rainfall and temperature increased, while runoff and sediment load decreased. Soil erosion is highest in cultivated land and worsens in the upper basin. Human activities have a greater impact on reducing runoff and sediment load compared to climate change.