Soil erosion threatens China's breadbasket, urgent action needed for sustainability.
Soil degradation is a big problem in Northeast China, threatening the sustainability of agriculture. The region's fertile Black soils are crucial for grain production in China. Water erosion and loss of organic matter are major issues, leading to soil compaction and nutrient loss. The study found that erosion rates are high, with significant soil loss in sloping farmlands. Soil organic matter declines with cultivation, but crop rotation can help maintain it. Strategies like terraces and soil amendments can help restore eroded farmland and improve soil quality for sustainable agriculture in Northeast China.