Evaluation of soil erosion rates in the hilly-gully region of the Loess Plateau in China in the past 60 years using global fallout plutonium

•Widespread soil erosion occurred in the hilly-gully region of the Loess Plateau.•Reclamation and deforestation in 1950–1970s caused severe soil erosion.•The increased vegetation coverage since the 1990s efficiently reduced soil erosion.•Restoring forest is more appropriated measure for soil erosion mitigation.•Convex micro-topography mitigate soil loss in sloping fields.