Scaling from field to region for wind erosion prediction using the Wind Erosion Prediction System and geographical information systems.(APPLIED RESEARCH)(Report)

Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, September, 2007 by Feng, G.; Sharratt, B.

Soil wind erosion and windblown dust have long been a major concern within the Columbia Plateau of the Pacific Northwest. Wind removes the fertile topsoil, thereby degrading soil quality and reducing agricultural sustainability. Sharratt et al. (2006), for example, estimated a loss of topsoil of 2,320 kg [ha.sup.-1] (1.04 tons [ac.sup.-1]) from a field maintained in summer fallow during a single dust storm near Washtucna, Washington in 2003. Off-site transport of wind blown soil can severely affect crop emergence and damage young plants, which often requires reseeding fields (Papendick 2004). Windblown dust generated from farmland also poses a hazard to motorists. Poor visibility caused by windblown dust has been the cause of numerous fatalities, accidents, and road...

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