Assessing the soil erosion control service of ecosystems change in the Loess Plateau of China

► The soil erosion control service of regional ecosystems was evaluated based on land cover change and USLE modeling. ► Results indicated that soil erosion control service has been greatly enhanced through vegetation restoration in the Loess Plateau region. ► The spatiotemporal variations of the soil erosion control service were determined, which may be crucial for regional ecological restoration.