Heterogeneity and loss of soil nutrient elements under aeolian processes in the Otindag Desert, China

•Effects of aeolian transport on the heterogeneity of soil elements were evaluated.•The nutrient element concentrations differed under different degradation stages.•The heterogeneity and loss of elements varied under different aeolian processes.•The nutrient loss from 2011 to the present was only 4.0% of that in the 1970s.•The obvious decrease in nutrient loss plays an important role on the rehabilitation.