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A4. Hydrologic Controls on Wind Erosion in Arid Landscapes

Author
D’Odorico, Paolo
Abstract
Wind erosion is a dominant geomorphological process in arid landscapes. It contributes to the loss of soil resources and the emission of mineral dust, with major impacts on regional climate, biogeochemical cycles and human health. Wind erosion occurs when the wind speed exceeds a certain threshold value, which depends on a number of factors including surface soil moisture. Through this control on the threshold velocity, hydrological processes affect the soil’s susceptibility to wind erosion and the rate of sediment transport. In arid regions the atmospheric humidity plays an important role in determining both the surface moisture content and the threshold shear velocity. The dependence of threshold velocity on near surface air humidity and fire-induced water repellency is discussed using a series of wind tunnel tests, laboratory measurements, and theoretical frameworks.
Description
Once downloaded, these high definition QuickTime videos may be played using a computer video player with H.264 codec, 1280x720 pixels, millions of colors, AAC audio at 44100Hz and 29.97 frames per second. The data rate is 5Mbps. File sizes are on the order of 600-900 MB. (Other formats may be added later.) Free QuickTime players for Macintosh and Window computers may be located using a Google search on QuickTime. The DVD was produced by J. Robert Cooke.
Date Issued
2012-05Publisher
Internet-First University Press
Type
video/moving image