Carlos M. Asensio Grima
casensio@ual.es
Department of Agronomy
University of Almería, Spain
Soil wind erosion is influenced by soil inherent properties, different wind characteristics and surface vegetation cover. For a better understanding of this process is necessary to explain the effect and consequences of wind erosion on the ground and especially in agricultural areas of southern, eastern and northern Europe. In fact, this process usually occurs very slowly and its impact on soil quality and productivity fails to be detected until several years later. In addition, conventional farming practices may mask long term wind erosion effects on productivity by the intense and deep soil tillage and increased use of fertilizers.
It is true that in recent years there has been progress in the knowledge of the distribution of wind erosion in Europe, proving that in certain areas wind erosion rates are as high as those due to water erosion. It has already been noted, moreover, that in the case of the USA, while water erosion risk decreases, erosion wind one increases, with the added problem that damage and prevention costs are higher in this latter. This alerts us for the need to prevent and combat the problem and, for this, it is essential a better understanding of generated dust production mechanisms and emission by farming practices.
Effects, consequences and control of soil wind erosion will be discussed in the SSS.2.14 session of the EGU General Assembly, in Vienna, next April.
This post has been also published in gsoil.wordpress.com.
