11. Wind Erosion

Wind erosion is a serious environmental hazard, which causes land degradation and air pollution and adversely affects human health. Dust emission generated by wind erosion is the most prominent aerosol source that directly or indirectly influences the global radiation balance. The chapter presents the factors influencing wind erosion and describes the mechanics of soil particle movement in wind erosion. The Wind Erosion Equation (WEQ), the first empirical wind erosion model for estimating the annual soil loss, and its revised version, the Revised WEQ (RWEQ), are discussed. A few popular process-based wind erosion models are introduced. The basic principles adopted for controlling wind erosion are presented. The chapter also describes the benefits of windbreaks and shelterbelts, two popular mechanical measures of wind erosion control. The design of the windbreaks and shelterbelts is discussed in terms of their height, length, continuity, density, orientation, and number of rows and plant species.