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Soil Erosion by Wind: An Overview

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Physics of desertification

Abstract

Wind erosion is a serious problem in many parts of the world. It physically removes the most fertile portion of the soil from the field, pollutes the air, fills road ditches, reduces seedling survival and growth, and lowers the marketability of many vegetable crops. Wind erosion also creates new desert landforms and landscapes.

Wind erosion is generally worse in arid and semiarid climates. It can be a problem wherever soil, vegetative, and climatic conditions are conducive.

Soil particles erode when shear stress exerted by the wind against the ground surface exceeds the forces tending to hold the particles in place. The eroding particles may be transported in saltation, creep, or suspension.

Principles for controlling wind erosion include: stabilizing with various materials; producing a rough, cloudy surface; reducing field width with strips and barriers; and establishing and maintaining sufficient vegetative cover.

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Authors
  1. E. L. Skidmore
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Itek Optical Systems, 10 Maguire Road, Lexington, Massachusetts, 02173, USA

    Farouk El-Baz

  2. School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan

    M. H. A. Hassan

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© 1986 Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Dordrecht

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Skidmore, E.L. (1986). Soil Erosion by Wind: An Overview. In: El-Baz, F., Hassan, M.H.A. (eds) Physics of desertification. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4388-9_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4388-9_18

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8451-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-4388-9

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