Rainfall pattern impact on runoff and sediment of the sloping cropland in Northeast China

Rainfall isamajor contributor towater erosion ofsloping cropland inNortheast China. Identifying how rainfall and slope gradient (S) influence runoff depth (RD) and sediment yield (SY) iscrucial for preventing water erosion. Field measurements from runoff plots were collected from 2023 to2024, and K-means clustering was applied toclarify the rainfall patterns. Response ofRD and SY tothe rainfall pattern and S were analysed. Key factors impacting RD and SY were explored. The results showed that three rainfall patterns were identified for 34 erosive rainfall events: A(41.2%, medium duration, medium rainfall intensity, and medium rainfall amount (RA)). B (50.0%, short duration, high rainfall intensity, and low RA) and C (5.4%, long duration, low rainfall intensity, high RA). Furthermore, the cumulative RD and SY increased with S for the same rainfall pattern. The cumulative RD and SY responded similarly torainfall patterns for the same S. The contribution ofthe rainfall pattern tothe cumulative RD and SY decreased inthe order ofC, A, and B. Inaddition, rainfall duration (D) and maximum 30-minute rainfall intensity were the key factors affecting RD and SY for rainfall pattern A, respectively. Rainfall erosivity (R) was the key factor affecting RD and SY for rainfall pattern B andC. Rand RD were the dominant factors influencing the RD and SY for all rainfall events, respectively.