ARS | Publication request: Erosion by Wind: Modeling

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: March 1, 2010
Publication Date: April 1, 2010
Citation: Hagen, L.J. 2010. Erosion by Wind: Modeling. In: Lal, R. editor. Encyclopedia of Soil Science: Second Edition. London: Taylor and Francis publishers. p. 1-4.

Interpretive Summary: A brief overview of the wide range of models used to predict dust emissions and field wind erosion is presented. The factors that control soil erodibility along with the major erosion processes used in models are listed. As an example of an integrated model, the components in the Wind Erosion Prediction System (WEPS) model are illustrated.

Technical Abstract: Models of wind erosion are used to investigate fundamental processes and guide resource management. Many models are similar in that - temporal variables control soil wind erodibility; erosion begins when friction velocity exceeds a threshold; and transport capacity for saltation/creep is proportional to the cube of friction velocity. Conservation of mass equations that incorporate erosion processes have been developed to calculate soil loss and deposition. Components of the WEPS model are illustrated as an example.