Soil conservation function is one of the main regulating functions of the ecosystem of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, and the accurate assessment of the spatial and temporal change pattern of soil conservation function on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau is a prerequisite to ensure the successful implementation of soil and water conservation and ecological environment management in the region. In this study, the meteorological, soil, land use, DEM and NDVI data were collected, and the dynamic changes of spatial and temporal characteristics of soil conservation function on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau from 1982 to 2020 were assessed by using the RUSLE model. The results indicated that soil retention showed a fluctuating increase from 1982 to 2020, and soil retention intensity gradually decreased from south to north, with the high value areas mainly concentrated in the high mountain valleys of western Sichuan and eastern Xizang in the southeastern part of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau; soil erosion intensity showed a significant transformation in the past 40 years, mainly characterized by the transformation from a high level of moderate erosion intensity to a low level of mild or slight erosion intensity, indicating a significant transformation from a high level to a low level in soil erosion intensity. The main characteristic was the conversion from high moderate erosion intensity to low mild or slight erosion intensity, indicating the improvement of soil conservation condition in the past 40 years; soil conservation capacity also was obvious different under different topographic conditions, which mainly was weaker in the high altitude areas with small degree of undulation; in terms of soil conservation capacity under different types of land use, the forest area was the strongest while the unused land was the weakest. Over the past 40 years, soil conservation capacity was increased, but some areas still faced weak soil conservation capacity. For the further enhancement of soil conservation function of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau in the future, while paying attention to and protecting forest with strong soil conservation capacity, soil and water management should be strengthened in high-altitude areas with little undulation, and soil erosion prevention and control measures should be formulated on a hierarchical and zonal basis.