An Innovative and Cost-effective Approach to Simulate Crust Strength for Wind Erosion Studies

Deviren Saygın S., Arı F.

11th International Soil Congress, Nevşehir, Türkiye, 23 - 25 Eylül 2024, ss.1-2

  • Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Tam Metin Bildiri
  • Basıldığı Şehir: Nevşehir
  • Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-2
  • Ankara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Wind erosion is known as one of the dominant land degradation processes in terms of the sustainability of natural resources in semi-arid and arid regions of the world. Soil crusts form a protective layer on the soil surface, reducing the probability of particle detachment by erosive winds. A well-developed crust increases the threshold wind speed necessary to initiate soil particle movement, thereby reducing the risk of wind erosion. However, weak or fragile crusts can break down into smaller particles under wind stress, contributing to dust emission. Thus, crust strength is crucial factor for assessing wind erosion. Prediction models like the Wind Erosion Prediction System (WEPS) or Revised Wind Erosion Equation (RWEQ) use crust strength data to simulate erosion risk under different scenarios, helping land managers make informed decisions. Wind tunnels, while highly effective for studying wind erosion, can indeed be time-consuming and costly to operate. They require large infrastructure, precise control of environmental variables, and can take significant time to set up and run experiments. Given these challenges, small experimental units or alternative methods can be more appropriate for certain studies. A reliable method to measure soil crust strength under erosive winds could greatly enhance efforts to prevent wind erosion and improve prediction models for managing these vulnerable ecosystems. In this study, we aimed to introduce an innovative approach to quantify how well different crusts resist erosion under varying wind speeds and particle sizes by simulating saltation transport mechanism to improve prediction models and apply more effective soil conservation strategies.