Soil erosion is the displacement of the upper layer of soil, it is one form of soil degradation. Soil erosion studies have proceeded along two basic paths insofar as erosion by water is concerned. The roots of trees and other plants hold the topsoil in place. A dramatic example of this was the wind erosion in kansas during the winter of 19951996, when it was relatively dry and windy. Types of erosion environment, land and water queensland. Wind erosion and its control university of nebraskalincoln. Wind strip cropping, one of the types of strip cropping is especially suitable for the land which is susceptible to wind erosion. Perhaps a few comments on isolating the effects of wind erosion. The first effect is the winnowing of light particles. Soil erosion in africa threatens food and fuel supplies and can contribute to climate change.
Wind energy also has great power to dislodge surface soil particles, and transport them great distances. Water erosion is very simplistically speaking caused by rainfall, river flow, waves wave action, hydraulic action and abrasion, corrosion, glacier movement, thawing, etc. Wind erosion can be caused by a light wind that rolls soil particles along the surface through to a strong wind that lifts a large volume of soil particles into the air to create dust storms. Man can also cause soil erosion by such practices as tilling a farmers field or the clearing of vegetation. Fields must have a soil loss at or below the soil tolerance t level for wind erosion for the crop rotation and a soil tillage. Wind erosion is the removal of soil by wind and australia is especially susceptible to this factor because of its naturally dry climate due to the geological stability resulting in very old soil, which is mineral deficient and fragile especially in australias extreme climate.
Wind erosion damages land and natural vegetation by removing soil from one. Describe the process of weathering and erosion in your own words. Environmental impacts coastal erosion 20 and coastline changes. Pdf wind erosion effects on soil texture and organic matter. For example, a costly coastal protection scheme in one area may result in coastal erosion in another. Soil erosion is the loss of soil from the land surface due to gravity, wind, water or ice. Fine sand grains are removed leaving behind coarser material. As a result, the basic causes, effects and remedies of wind erosion have been the focus of research by the usda s agricultural research service.
Wind erosion processes and control logan county extension. Wind erosion is a threat to agriculture and the earths natural resources. Erosion is a continual, natural process occurring in all regions of earth. Part two is a procedure for evaluating wind erosion effects on soil loss and, subsequently, on crop yields. Pdf onsite and offsite impacts of wind erosion in europe. Once the eroded particles as a result of ocean currents and waves are settled and deposited, they enormously change the coastline of the area. Possible effects of wind erosion on soil productivity. As a result, the basic causes, effects, and remedies of.
Effects of standing stubble on the interception of soil. Soil crusts can also increase resistance of the surface soil to wind forces but this effect is only temporary and should not be relied upon for erosion control. For over a century, governments and aid organizations have tried to combat soil erosion in africa, often with limited effect. Erosion and sedimentation on construction sites introduction soil is a crucial component of rural. Pesticides and other chemicals can get trapped in soil, polluting streams and rivers as the soil breaks apart. Harmful effects of erosion on organic matter and soil structure. Landforms from wind erosion desert pavement the removal of fine small sediment by wind is called deflation. It is a dynamic, physical process where loose, dry, bare soils are transported by strong winds. The measurement of such losses when caused by artificially produced storms of arbitrarily selected characteristics. Sand dunes are common wind deposits that come in different shapes, depending on winds and sand availability. Raindrops fall on sloping land, more of splash goes downhill than uphill 1. Saltation occurs when the wind lifts larger particles.
Wind and water cause small pieces of rock to break off at the side of a mountain. Water and wind erosion are two main agents that degrade soils. These actions depend mainly on the type of soil, the climate, the vegetation cover, the speed and frequency of wind. Then approximately 65 tha was eroded from this valuable cropland during one winter figure 1. However, the effects of erosion on construction sites continue to menace society both from onsite and offsite damages. Effects of leading edge erosion on wind turbine blade performance agrim sareen, chinmay a. Wind erosion in some arid and desert tracts, wind has an important effect in bringing about the erosion of rocks by driving sand, and the surface of sand dunes not held together and protected by vegetation is subject to erosion and change by the drifting of blown sand. One third of the worlds agricultural soils, or roughly 2 billion hectares of land, was reported as being affected by soil.
In deserts, wind action changes the landscape through wind erosion in the form of abrasion and deflation. Wind moves the soil in two ways, suspension and saltation. Wind erosion is very selective, carrying the finest particles particularly organic matter, clay and loam many. This natural process is caused by the dynamic activity of erosive agents, that is, water, ice glaciers, snow, air wind, plants, animals, and humans. Soil erosion is an ongoing process that affects each site in a slightly different way. The cumulative effects of these drivers are also important.
Effects of wind erosion the first effect is the winnowing of light particles. Wind sediments that have been transported by wind appear pitted holes and frosted glazed effective in moving small, loose material occurs in areas where there is not enough rainfall to support vegetation main effects. In fact, vegetation is one of the greatest tools in the prevention of erosion. Erosion is the movement of particles away from their source. Loess is a very fine grained, wind borne deposit that can be important to soil formation. Humans can also cause erosion or increase the rate of erosion through various activities. Part one concerns basics of the erosion process in terms of particle dynamics, threshold condi tions, particle flux, and the protective role of nonerodible elements. Soil erosion occurs when natural forces, such as wind and water, act on the soil. Aug 24, 2018 effects of soil erosion on the environment.
The topsoil is lost by erosion which is the most fertile section, having evolved over centuries of soilforming processes. Effects of wind on falling drops by charles russell umback. Causes, effects and types of erosion water, wind, glacier. Wind erosion is very selective, carrying the finest particles particularly organic matter, clay and loam many kilometres. It slows down surface runoff, enabling better water infiltration into the soil. Wind erosion is one of the most concerning factors in australias land degradation problems due to the vast size of australia and the vast amount of soil exposed to the elements. The procedure uses the wind erosion equation to predict potential annual soil loss, which is converted to the crop. However, wind gusts may quickly deplete a substantial portion of the erosion potential. There are multiple causes and effects of erosion and solutions often involve conserving natural areas. Part two is a procedure for evaluating winderosion effects on soil loss and, subsequently, on crop yields. In the procedure, a winderosion equation is used to predict potential annual loss, which is converted to cropyield reduction per centimeter of erosion for wheat, grain sorghum, and corn.
Effects of leading edge erosion on wind turbine blade. Quantitative effects of vegetation cover on wind erosion and. Wind erosion refers to the detachment, transport, and deposition of sediment by wind. Soil property effects on wind erosion of organic soils. It also shields a soil from raindrops and breaks down the wind before it can reach the soil with the full power. Because erosion potential has been found to increase rapidly with increasing wind speed, estimated emissions should be related to the gusts of highest magnitude. Wind erosion damages crops through sandblasting of young seedlings or transplants, burial of plants or seed, and exposure of seed. Most students have observed the effects of wind and water on objects around them. Land may become susceptible to wind erosion through grazing. Crops are ruined, resulting in costly delays and making reseeding necessary. It renders soil less productive by removing the most fertile part of the soil, namely, the clays and organic matter.
Susceptibility to wind erosion is related rather definitely to the moisture content of soils. We investigated two basic relationships on vegetation manipulation grass cover reduction plots at the jornada experimental range in southern new mexico. Raindrops falling on level bare soils, wo wind, sppqy,latter equally in all directions, soil removed matched by soil redeposited from another area iii. Wind erosion damages the soil by physically removing the most. Selig department of aerospace engineering, university of illinois at urbanachampaign, urbana, il 61801, usa abstract this paper presents results of a study to investigate the effect of leading edge erosion on the aerodynamic performance. Water is also able to erode land by the effects of currents and ocean waves. Soil erosion was a big problem in the midwestern united states in the 1930s dust bowl. Both forms of erosion selectively carry off fine particles from the soil surface. The effect of different vegetative covers on wind erosion can be compared by. Mf2860 principles of wind erosion and its control usda ars. Wind is a powerful force that has the ability to shape a landscape. Economic impacts of wind erosion and atmospheric dust include loss of. Wind can be an effective erosion and transportation agent if it is strong and blows across fine. To understand wind erosion and its control, we need to understand the processes involved.
Erosion can occur naturally by wind, water, and gravity. To determine the optimum architecture of standing stubble for effective reduction of wind speeds near the soil surface, we quantitatively analyzed the interception effect of standing stubbles on soil erosion particles through pure wind experiments and sand. Wind erosion is a natural process that moves soil from one location to another by wind power. Winds in the desert are often extreme and unrestricted by trees and vegetation. Geomorphologists and other earth scientists usually consider wind erosion as a specific subdiscipline of a more broad study of aeolian also spelled eolian processes.
Abstract pm10 concentrations were measured at nellis dunes recreation area ndra, nevada, usa. Pdf effects of wind erosion, offroad vehicular activity. The influence of shrub patch size on runoff and sedimentation, and on several soil physical and vegetation factors was evaluated in a sandy chinese landscape. Whether caused by wind or water, erosion leads to the displacement of soil, rocks, plants and seeds. Abstracti propose a procedure for evaluating the efects of wind erosion on soil loss and subsequent crop yields. Due to formation of gullies and ravines, valuable agricultural lands are lost. This paper presents results of a study to investigate the effect of leading edge erosion on the aerodynamic performance of a wind turbine airfoil. If the soil has eroded, the crops that make food will not grow very well. One possible explanation could be related to soil erosiondeposition phenomena at the landscape scale, as our model identified a greater influence of wind effect.
Wind erosion assumes significant proportions only when the wind carries a load of sand grains which bombard the bare soil surface, and sheet erosion occurs when rain splashes on naked soil. Aug 23, 2016 there are multiple causes and effects of erosion and solutions often involve conserving natural areas. After reading this article you will learn about wind erosion. The procedure uses the wind erosion equation to predict potential annual soil loss, which is converted to the crop yield reduction per inch of erosion for corn, grain.
It includes a lesson plan and a student sheet to fill in during the activity. The effects of wind winds in the desert are often extreme and unrestricted by trees and vegetation. Soil fertility is reduced because of the loss of the plant nutrients that are concentrated on fine soil particles and organic matter in the topsoil. Photographs of wind turbine blades affected by leading edge erosion with a pits and gouges, and b leading edge delamination courtesy of 3m. Pdf principles of wind erosion and its control researchgate. Soil degradation is a global environmental problem which started since the innovation of agriculture by human kind. Wind blows away weathered particles from the source to other locations. Where wind erosion is a concern, plan and install windbreaks. An overview of the wind erosion prediction system introduction soil erosion by wind is a serious problem in the united states and the world. Establish no till system to reduce wind erosion soil loss. The loss of soil from the land surface can be detrimental to both terrestrial and aquatic environments by depleting nutrients, increasing runoff and affecting aquatic life. Major causes and effects of soil erosion on the environment. Soil property effects on wind erosion of organic soils ted m. Causes, consequences and control of wind erosion in sahelian africa.
Runoff washes away the soil particles from sloping and bare lands while wind blows away loose and detached soil particles from flat and unprotected lands. Possible effects of wind erosion on soil productivity infosys. Soil is the most fundamental and basic natural resource for all life to survive. While a cloddy soil surface will absorb more wind energy than a flat, smooth surface, a soil surface that is both ridged and cloddy will absorb even more. Abstract erosion by wind is one of the principal processes associated with land.
Wind erosion wind erosion is the detachment and movement of soil particles by air moving at least 20km per hour. The transformation of natural ecosystems to pasture lands has largely contributed to increased rates of soil erosion and the loss of soil nutrients and the top soil. A by the national soil erosion soil productivity research planning committee, science and education administration ag ricu i t ural research ccurate estimates of future soil a productivity are essential to make agricultural policy decisions and to plan the use of land from the field scale to. Soil and erosion the jar for demonstration 2 must very solid can use glass, but be careful since the glass may break. It is generally impossible to apply sufficient water to settle soils, and the impact of water. Calculations shall account for the effects of other practices in the management system. Soil erosion is the weathering away of topsoil caused by water, wind or tillage. Wind erosion wind erosion is the form of soil degradation by the action of the wind which abrades, transports and deposes soil sand particles. Its effects can be seen directly in the location where erosion takes place, known as onsite effects, and at the site where the eroded soil deposits offsite. Suspended particles may impact on solid objects causing erosion by abrasion rubbing.
Ndra is a desert area located 6 km northeast of the metropolitan area of las vegas. Effects of leading edge erosion on wind turbine blade performance. Relating crop yield to soil thickness excluding the effect of fertilizer and determining potential annual soil loss from the wind erosion equation seem to be the only feasible approach currently available. Wind erosion abrades surfaces and makes desert pavement, ventifacts, and desert varnish. Overstocking and overgrazing has led to reduced ground cover and break down of the soil particles, giving room for erosion and accelerating the erosive effects by wind and rain. This study aimed to analyze the effects of mosaicpattern shrub patch size on runoff and sedimentation in a wind water erosion crisscross region. Erosion even in deserts, the main agent of erosion is water.
Wind erosion, coupled with loss of surface cover in the aravallis has made the challenge of halting the march of desert in rajasthan, one of the most vital ecological problems facing the country today. Irrigating during a wind erosion event is ineffective. Wind erosion lesson plan and handson activity this is a science activity on wind erosion. Wind erosion is reduced by obstacles such as tall trees, hillsmountains, or manmade objects.
Possible effects of wind erosion soil productivity leon lyles abstracti propose a procedure for evaluating the efects of wind erosion on soil loss and subsequent crop yields. Wind causes small particles to be lifted and moved away. Runoff washes away the soil particles from sloping. Suspension occurs when the wind lifts finer particles into the air leading to dust storms. Raindrops more responsible for sheet erosion than surface flow of water ii. Weathering can occur due to chemical and mechanical processes. Wind erosion wind erosion occurs when the land surface is left bare in regions that are arid enough, as a result of low rainfall, to allow the soil to dry out, and flat enough to allow the wind to carry the soil away over several consecutive days. Students will be able to describe how wind causes weathering and erosion. The effect of weather, erosion, and deposition in texas. Soil fertility is reduced because of the loss of the plant nutrients that are concentrated. Pdf wind erosion is globally one of the main soil degradation problems and causes serious problems for agriculture, infrastructure and. In wind strip cropping normal crop row should be alternated with tall crop or plant, at right angles to the direction of the prevailing winds. Australia naturally suffers from wind erosion due to lack of vegetation and wind breaks.
The effects of erosion are varied, but the most obvious effect is the removal and destruction of land. Soil erosion can also lead to mudslides and floods, negatively affecting the structural integrity of buildings and roadways. Crop residues, particularly standing stubble, can reduce soil erosion by wind in conservation tillage. It can cause significant economic and environmental damage. Effects of mosaicpattern shrub patches on runoff and. Soil erosion is the washing or blowing away by water or wind of the top layer of soil dirt. Jul 12, 2007 wind is a key abiotic factor that influences the dynamics of arid and semiarid systems.
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