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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Wind Erosion and Water Conservation Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #253582
Title: Aeolian processes and the bioshpere: Interactions and feedback loops

Author
item RAVI, SUJITH - University Of Arizona
item D'ODORICO, PAOLO - University Of Virginia
item BRESEHEARS, DAVID - University Of Arizona
item FIELD, JASON - University Of Arizona
item GOUDIE, ANDREW - University Of Oxford
item HUXMAN, TRAVIS - University Of Arizona
item LI, JUNRAN - University Of California
item OKIN, GREGORY - University Of California
item SWAP, ROBERT - University Of Virginia
item THOMAS, ANDREW - University Of Manchester
item Van Pelt, Robert - Scott
item WHICKER, JEFF - Los Alamos National Research Laboratory
item Zobeck, Teddy

Submitted to: Geophysical Research Letters
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/28/2011
Publication Date: 9/1/2011
Citation: Ravi, S., D'Odorico, P., Bresehears, D., Field, J., Goudie, A., Huxman, T., Li, J., Okin, G., Swap, R., Thomas, A., Van Pelt, R.S., Whicker, J., Zobeck, T.M. 2011. Aeolian Processes and the Bioshpere. Geophysical Research Letters. 49(3):1-45.

Interpretive Summary: Aeolian processes involve the interaction of the earth’s atmosphere and mineral surface. Recently, we have come to understand the many ways that these processes affect landforms, climate, and human and environmental health. In this article, we review, from any perspectives, the science and state of knowledge surrounding aeolian processes.

Technical Abstract: Aeolian processes affect landform evolution, biogeochemical cycles, regional climate, human health, and desertification. The entrainment, transport and deposition of aeolian sediments are recognized as major drivers in the dynamics of the earth system and there is a growing interest in the scientific community to quantify and model the biophysical drivers and biogeochemical implications of aeolian processes at different scales. Global climate models predict an increase in aridity in many dryland systems of the world, which may enhance aeolian processes and modify the interactions between hydrological and aeolian drivers with significant feedbacks on climate and desertification. Hence understanding the controlling factors and implications of aeolian processes under different climate, disturbance, and management scenarios is fundamental to global change research. Here we review recent literature on aeolian processes and their interactions with the biota, with a particular focus on biophysical drivers and biogeochemical implications.