Analysis of spatiotemporal heterogeneity and influencing factors of soil erosion in a typical erosion zone of the southern red soil region, China

•The spatiotemporal variation characteristics of soil erosion from 2000 to 2020 were investigated.•The soil erosion modulus decreased from 10.00 t·hm−2·a−1 to 3.38 t·hm−2·a−1 during the past 20 years.•Land use and vegetation cover dominate the spatial distribution of soil erosion.•Compared with climate change, human activities play a more active role in mitigating soil erosion.