Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Wind Erosion and Water Conservation Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #350226

Title: Erodibility of and dust emissions from bare soil surfaces in the North American Southwest

Author
item Van Pelt, Robert - Scott
item Tatarko, John
item CHANG, CHUNPING - Hebei University
item WANG, RENDE - Hebei University
item GILL, THOMAS - University Of Texas - El Paso

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/30/2018
Publication Date: 7/30/2018
Citation: Van Pelt, R.S., Tatarko, J., Chang, C., Wang, R., Gill, T.E. 2018. Erodibility of and dust emissions from bare soil surfaces in the North American Southwest. Meeting Abstract. Presentation. Albuquerque, NM, July 29-August 1, 2018.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Native plant communities throughout the Southwestern United States are subject to increased abiotic stress due to climate change. As native grass cover is replaced by shrubs, more bare soil surface is susceptible to erosion by wind. The dust record for the last 20 years indicates that wind erosion and resultant fugitive dust emissions are increasing over broad areas of the Southwest. We used a Portable In-Situ Wind Erosion Laboratory (PI-SWERL) to assess and compare the erodibility and dust emissions from multiple undisturbed and disturbed soil surfaces in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado. Results of this study will be presented along with recommendations for improved management of these changing ecosystems.