ARS | Publication request: Impact of land use change on wind erosion and dust emission: scenarios from the central US

Submitted to: American Geophysical Union
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: September 1, 2010
Publication Date: December 13, 2010
Citation: Tatarko, J., Okin, G.S., Herrick, J.E., Li, J. 2010. Impact of land use change on wind erosion and dust emission: scenarios from the central US. American Geophysical Union. Abstract B33B-0396A presented at 2010 Fall Meeting, AGU, San Francisco, Calif., 13-17 Dec.

Technical Abstract: There will be significant changes in land cover and land use throughout the central United States in the coming years, particularly as a result of climate change, changes in US rangeland/farm policy, and increasing exploitation of land-intensive sustainable energy sources. The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential of these land use and land cover changes to alter wind erosion and dust emission from these highly erodible lands. Water use from each system was also explored. The Wind Erosion Prediction System (WEPS) was used to evaluate the effects of different land management systems. Results show the conversion of range or CRP lands to cropland or for biomass harvesting run the risk of excessive erosion/dust emission if insufficient biomass is left on the soil. The results indicate that policy and economic forces shaping land use decisions can have significant effects on wind erosion and, importantly, dust emission with local and regional consequences. In addition, water use results show the potential effects of land use changes on this precious resource which is a limiting factor in much of the central US, particularly in the western Great Plains states.