[Objective] The distribution characteristics of rainfall erosivity R value in the yellow soil area of karst mountainous region in Central Guizhou Province were studied

in order to provide scientific references for regional soil erosion quantitative prediction

soil conservation planning and soil and water loss control. [Methods] Based on the data source of the daily rainfall record from 2013 to 2019

and the extracted data of rainfall process at 5 min intervals from 10 soil and water conservation monitoring stations in the karst yellow soil distribution area of Guizhou Province

the individual distribution characteristics

monthly distribution characteristics

inter-annual variation characteristics of R value

rainfall and rainfall intensity distribution characteristics were analyzed. [Results] ① The maximum R values was several times to a dozen times of the average R value of each monitoring stations. The percentage of the maximum R values in the corresponding year was also significantly different

and at least accounted for about 22.28% of the annual value. The contribution rate of several heavy rainstorms in a year was very high. ② The R value of rainfall erosivity was mainly distributed from April to September

and particularly concentrated from June to August. The R value from April to September accounted for about 90.00% of the annual R value in the monitoring stations

among which some stations were more than 95.00%. From June to August

the lowest R value accounted for 55.98% of the annual value

and the highest was 85.25%. ③ The average annual R value decreased significantly from southeast to southwest. The inter-annual variation coefficient (Cv) of R values showed an opposite trend

and increased significantly from southeast to northwest. The variation range of the inter-annual variation coefficient (Cv) of R values was 0.20～0.44

with a large interannual variation. ④ Moderate rain

heavy rain

rainstorm

and heavy rainstorm were the main rainfall erosivity levels

with which most stations accounting for more than 60.00%. Heavy rain

due to its relatively high frequency and long duration

contributed the most to the total R value. Overall

the frequency of heavy rainstorm was not high

but the value of rainfall erosivity R value of a single heavy rainstorm could be very large

which could change the R value distribution by a single heavy rainstorm. The peak area of R value distribution was 15—30 mm/h

and the average proportion is 31.97%. The occurrence of high rainfall intensity was more random

and the spatial distribution difference of the R value proportion generated by rainfall intensity greater than 60 mm/h was also large. [Conclusion] The spatial and temporal variation of rainfall erosivity R value is obvious in the yellow soil area of karst mountainous region in Central Guizhou Province

so it is necessary to take measures to prevent and control soil erosion according to local conditions.