Dynamic controls on wind erosion and dust generation on west-central Free State agricultural land, South Africa

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)

WIGGS, G.

School of Geography and the Environment, Univ., Oxford, Royaume-Uni

HOLMES, P.

Dep. of Geography, Univ. of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Afrique du Sud

Description :
The west-central part of South Africa's Free State Province falls within the transition zone between South Africa's sub-humid, temperate grasslands to the east, and the semi-arid Karoo and arid Kalahari to the south and west, respectively. This study is the first to quantify the degree of wind erosion on the agricultural soils in this region under prevailing winter to spring climatic conditions and land management practices. Using arrays of cup anemometers, dust deposition traps and saltation impact sensors (Safires), measurements were made of the key erosivity and erodibility drivers that control the degree of wind erosion. Results demonstrate that significant quantities of dust are mobilized, particularly during the months of September and October. Thresholds of wind erosion are shown to respond particularly closely to changes in surface and aerodynamic roughness.

Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Earth surface processes and landforms, issn : 0197-9337, 2011, vol. 36, n°. 6, p. 827-838, nombre de pages : 12, Références bibliographiques : 1 p.

Date :
2011

Editeur :
Pays édition : Royaume-Uni, Chichester, Wiley

Langue :
Anglais