Investigating the spatial distribution characteristics,correlation,and driving factors of soil erosion and rocky desertification is of significant decision-making and practical value for the ecological protection and restoration of karst areas. With Lichuan City,Hubei Province as the research object,by using the RUSLE model,rocky desertification index,spatial autocorrelation analysis,and coupling coordination model,the spatial distribution patterns and coupling coordination relationships of soil erosion and rocky desertification were analyzed. The driving factors are detected using the GeoDetector. The results show that soil erosion in the karst area of Lichuan City is mainly characterized by moderate and lower levels,hot spots are mainly concentrated in parts of the central,western and southern regions. Rocky desertification is predominantly at the moderate level,and the hot spots are widely distributed throughout the area. The degree of rocky desertification is most severe in areas with intense soil erosion,and the degree of soil erosion is most severe in areas with severe rocky desertification. Both soil erosion and rocky desertification exhibit significant positive spatial autocorrelation,and there is a weak bivariate positive spatial correlation between them. Soil erosion and rocky desertification are generally in a state of high coupling but low coordination,characterized by mutual constraints at a low level. The dominant factor for soil erosion is vegetation cover,while the dominant factor for rocky desertification is rock exposure rate,with their interactions having a certain spatial overlap effect.