The phrase wind erosion describes the way air movement breaks down stones, rocks and other formations of solid matter on the earths surface. Following are the types of soil erosion caused by water fig. Pdf principles of wind erosion and its control researchgate. Erosion and mass wasting appear to be similar processes but have distinctly different causes. Causes and efforts to control soil erosion in africa. 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. Soil erosion is the displacement of the upper layer of soil, it is one form of soil degradation. Wind erosion tends to occur most in low rainfall areas when soil moisture content is at wilting point or below, but all droughtstricken soils are at risk. Wind erosion refers to the detachment, transport, and deposition of sediment by wind. Abrasion by wind carried sand can polish rock, but causes little erosion. The critical wind erosion period is that part of the year when agricultural fields are particularly vulnerable to wind erosion.
Stronger winds have greater erosive potential, thus wind velocity is directly proportional to intensity of erosion. Wind deposition wind deposition is responsible for the creation of certain features. Tables listing the prevailing wind erosion direction by month for many locations in the united states are available see nrcs weq web site address at the end of this document. Both forms of erosion selectively carry off fine particles from the soil surface, and both are eliminated by mulching the soil or by providing an adequate.
Wind strip cropping, one of the types of strip cropping is especially suitable for the land which is susceptible to. Usgs mass wasting commonly referred to as landslides involves the transfer of rock. Erosion is not always readily visible, even when soil loss exceeds unsustainable. There are multiple causes and effects of erosion and solutions often involve conserving natural areas. Soil erosion sheet, rill and wind erosion detachment and transportation of soil particles caused by rainfall runoffsplash, irrigation runoff, or wind that degrades soil quality. Wind causes the following three types of soil movements, viz. Strip cropping is an effective method for controlling the wind erosion. Wind erosion processes and control logan county extension. Wind causes erosion of rock particles driven by soil and sand particles that are not tightly glued together and not insulated by vegetation. Wind erosion is the detachm ent and transportation of soil particles by wind when the a irstream passing over a surface generates sufficient lift a nd drag to overcome the forces of grav ity. Degraded soil diminishes food production and leads to soil erosion, which in turn contributes to desertification. The roots of trees and other plants hold the topsoil in place. Sand dunes consisting of fine sand particles are the best example of the windinduced movement of the upper soil layer. Pdf on oct 2, 2017, g n gurjar and others published concept of wind.
One third of the worlds agricultural soils, or roughly 2 billion hectares of land, was reported as being affected by soil. It is a dynamic, physical process where loose, dry, bare soils are transported by strong winds. After reading this article you will learn about wind erosion. Soil degradation is a global environmental problem which started since the innovation of agriculture by human kind.
Causes of soil erosion water and wind erosion causes. Causes, consequences and control of wind erosion in sahelian. Apr 07, 2020 logging, similar to deforestation, causes soil erosion as it removes the trees protecting the soil from the elements, anchoring it to the ground. Wind erosion is a threat to the sustainability of the land as well as the viability and quality of life for rural and urban communities. As a result, the basic causes, effects, and remedies of wind erosion have been the focus of research by the united state department of agricultures agricultural research service. The most comprehensive summaries on the movement of surface ma. Sand dunes consisting of fine sand particles are the best example of the wind induced movement of the upper soil layer. The finest particles are transported by the wind, while the heavier particles are blown across the surface causing abrasion. Under the right conditions it can cause major losses of soil and property. Erosion can occur naturally by wind, water, and gravity. Wind causes medium sized particles to vibrate, then bounce from the soil surface.
This process begins when the raindrops break down the soil. The conditions during the critical wind erosion period are used to derive the estimate of annual wind erosion. Erosion, removal of surface material from earths crust, primarily soil and rock debris, and the transportation of the eroded materials by natural agencies such as water or wind from the point of removal. Water erosion is very simplistically speaking caused by rainfall, river flow, waves wave action, hydraulic action and abrasion, corrosion, glacier movement, thawing, etc. It is one of the processes leading to desertification. It renders soil less productive by removing the most fertile part of the soil, namely, the clays and organic matter. It also causes plant damage from abrasion, exposure of roots by removing topsoil, or burial by windblown soil. How wind causes erosion wind erosion and deposition.
An overview of the wind erosion prediction system introduction soil erosion by wind is a serious problem in the united states and the world. This natural process is caused by the dynamic activity of erosive agents, that is, water, ice glaciers, snow, air wind, plants, animals, and humans. Wind currents usually remove the top soil which is fertile and frill of humus and minerals. These actions depend mainly on the type of soil, the climate, the vegetation cover, the speed and frequency of wind. Causes, consequences and control of wind erosion in sahelian africa. Types of erosion environment, land and water queensland. Natural erosion occurs primarily on a geologic time scale, but when mans activities alter the landscape, the erosion process can be greatly accelerated. Stream bank erosion damages adjoining agricultural lands, highways, railroads and bridges. Wind erosion wind erosion is the form of soil degradation by the action of the wind which abrades, transports and deposes soil sand particles. 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. Wind erosion can be caused by a light wind that rolls soil particles along the. Fine sand grains are removed leaving behind coarser material. Causes of wind erosion bare, unprotected soil is extremely vulnerable to wind erosion erosion occurs with strong, turbulent winds blowing across a soil surface that is smooth, loose, dry and finely granulated.
Tree roots act to hold the soil together, and their leaves and branches form canopies that prevent the impact of the harsh elements. Wind erosion and its control university of nebraskalincoln. The critical wind erosion period is described as the period of the year when the greatest amount of wind erosion can be expected to occur from a field under an identified management system. To understand wind erosion and its control, we need to understand the processes involved. Erosion preceded by the destruction of the crumb structure due to the impact of falling raindrop on the surface of soil is termed as splash erosion.
What are the causes and effects, and how can it be prevented. Modeling water and wind erosion is important to understanding. Wind erosion is a threat to agriculture and the earths natural resources. Significant wind erosion occurs when strong winds blow over lighttextured soils that have been. Wind erosion is a natural process that moves soil from one location to another by wind power. The carrying away of dry soil and loose sand particles is known as deflation. That is, the sediment is transported by the movement of the agents. Hill slopes are prone to sheet erosion and rill erosion.
Erosion by the action of water, wind, and ice has produced some of the most spectacular landscapes we know. A strong, turbulent wind, coupled with highly erodible field conditions, causes wind erosion. Mf2860 principles of wind erosion and its control usda ars. Causes, effects and types of erosion water, wind, glacier. Wind erosion occurs in susceptible areas of ontario but represents a small percentage of land mainly sandy and organic or muck soils. Humans can also cause erosion or increase the rate of erosion through various activities.
It is the fairly uniform removal of soil in thin layers from the land surface, often scarcely perceptible, especially when caused by. Processes and principles of erosion and sedimentation. Erosion by wind is a common sight in dry and barren areas where vegetation doesnt hold soils in place. Significant wind erosion occurs when strong winds blow over lighttextured soils that have been heavily grazed during periods of. Significant wind erosion occurs when strong winds blow over lighttextured soils that have been heavily grazed during periods of drought. Wind affects the land through a process called wind erosion, where wind breaks up land and then carries the debris like dirt and bits of rock to other places. Wind erosion is a common cause of land degradation in the arid and semi arid grazing lands of inland. According to a scientific study in sahara desert, sand dunes can move by 50 to 295 feet throughout one year. 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. Raindrops hit exposed soil with great energy and easily dislodge the soil particles from the surface.
The amount of soil loss caused due to wind erosion dependent on. Soil surfaces that are not rough offer little resistance to wind erosion. Too big to remain suspended, they fall to earth and dislodge other particles that. Coastal erosion is more difficult to control than other forms of water erosion. Even though wind is the weakest agent, it is still a powerful force in shaping the land near areas where there is little plant growth. Wind interacts with the surface to cause detachment, transport, and deposition of soil particles as well as modes of transport i. Instruction water and wind erosion 17 slide wind erosion wind, like water, causes erosion. Probably the most important cause of wind erosion is overgrazing. The movement of sediment by erosion requires mobile agents such a water, wind and ice. Often the only evidence of wind erosion is an atmospheric haze of dust comprising fine mineral and organic soil particles that contain most of the soil nutrients. Wind erosion damages land and natural vegetation by removing soil from one place and depositing it in another.
The action of wind continues until that time when the power and momentum of wind cannot move the loose particles. Wind or water erosion is the physical wearing of the earths surface. Wind erosion is a common cause of land degradation in the arid and semi arid grazing lands of inland queensland. Deflation is further broken down into three categories. The critical wind erosion period is described as the period of the year when the greatest amount of wind erosion can be expected to occur from a field under an. There must be grazing regulations to restrict the use of grazing lands. Pdf concept of wind erosion and factors affecting the rate of. Susceptibility to wind erosion is related rather definitely to the moisture content of soils. 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. Pdf soil is the most fundamental and basic natural resource for all life to survive. Coastal erosion is caused on the seashore due to wave action and the advance of the sea at some places. Soil erosion is the process that erodes, breaks or gradually diminishes things down.
When these smaller pieces, called pebbles, sand, or soil, begin to move. It can cause significant economic and environmental damage. Coastal processes and causes of shoreline erosion and. At the same time, long continuous rainless periods cause loosening of soil and thus expose the soil to erosion by wind.
Stormy winds carry the soil particles to distant places and sometimes form sanddunes. Principles of erosion by wind interest in the fluid transport of solidsin this special case, wind ero sioncontinues not only because erosion affects soil productivity and damages plants but also because wind erosion is an important contributor of atmospheric aerosols. Causes of erosion erosion occurs when soil is left exposed to rain or wind energy. Request pdf causes, consequences and control of wind erosion in sahelian africa. The process of erosion usually takes place on the surface of soil, rock, or dissolved material from one location on the earths crust and with the help of the wind or water flow, it gets to settle down at another location.