[Objective] The spatial distribution of soil erosion in the rich and coarse sediment areas of the Yellow River basin was studied in order to provide data support and scientific suggestions for soil erosion control, ecological environmental protection, and high-quality development in the Yellow River basin.[Methods] Dynamic changes of soil and water loss in rich and coarse sediment areas of the middle reaches of the Yellow River basin were analyzed based on dynamic monitoring of soil erosion in 2020 and the results of the national remote sensing surveys of soil erosion in China in 1985 and 1999.[Results] ① The area of regional soil and water loss decreased by 43.22%, the area of high-intensity soil and water loss decreased by 90.80%, and the status of soil erosion has been improved significantly over time. The changes in 1985-1999 were relatively small, while the changes in 1999-2020 were relatively large. ② The intensity of soil and water loss decreased in both periods. The decrease in 1999-2020 was significantly greater than in 1985-1999, and high-intensity soil erosion decreased significantly. In 1985-1999, the area of severe erosion mainly decreased, while in 1999-2020, the areas classified as intensive, extremely intensive, and severe erosion decreased significantly.[Conclusion] The main driving forces for the improvement of the ecological environment in the study area were the strengthening of the supervision and management of regional soil and water conservation, coordinated promotion of preventive protection and comprehensive management of soil and water conservation, economic and social development, environmental protection, and ecological policy guidance. Although the increasingly serious conditions resulting in soil and water loss in the Loess Plateau have been controlled, the region is still considered to be under the most severe soil erosion threat in China. It is still necessary to continue to take appropriate measures for the protection of the ecological environment.