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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Range Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #364793
Research Project: Science and Technologies for the Sustainable Management of Western Rangeland Systems

Location: Range Management Research

Title: Ecosystem dynamics and aeolian sediment transport in the southern Kalahari

Author
item WEBB, NICHOLAS - New Mexico State University
item OKIN, GREGORY - University Of California (UCLA)
item BHATTACHAN, ABINASH - University Of California (UCLA)
item D'ODORICO, PAOLO - University Of California
item DINTWE, KEBONYE - Botswana College Of Agriculture
item TATLHEGO, MOKGANEDI - University Of California

Submitted to: African Journal of Ecology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/4/2019
Publication Date: 6/19/2020
Citation: Webb, N., Okin, G., Bhattachan, A., D'Odorico, P., Dintwe, K., Tatlhego, M. 2020. Ecosystem dynamics and aeolian sediment transport in the southern Kalahari. African Journal of Ecology. 58:337-344. https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.12700.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.12700

Interpretive Summary: Wind erosion and dust emission are affected by vegetation changes and can contribute to the transition of savanna grasslands to shrub-invaded and shrub-dominated states. In the southern Kalahari savanna, bush encroachment by Senegalia mellifera is a pervasive ecosystem change that results in varying density grasses and bushes across landscapes that can affect patterns of sediment transport. Herbaceous vegetation losses and bush encroachment in the Kalahari have been associated with increased sand dune mobility, degraded air quality, and potential reactivation of the region as a persistent dust source. While accelerated wind erosion can be both driver and consequence of ecosystem change in the Kalahari, the role of aeolian processes and its regional impacts have not been fully established. Here, we examine preliminary data on the influence of southern Kalahari ecosystem changes on surface aerodynamic roughness and aeolian sediment transport as a basis for understanding their interactions.

Technical Abstract: Aeolian sediment transport processes are sensitive to dryland ecosystem change and can contribute to the transition of savanna grasslands to shrub-invaded and shrub-dominated states. In the southern Kalahari savanna, bush encroachment by Senegalia mellifera is a pervasive ecosystem change that creates mosaic landscapes of varying density grasses and bushes that can affect patterns of aeolian sediment transport. Herbaceous species losses and bush encroachment in the Kalahari have been associated with increased dune mobility, degraded air quality, and potential reactivation of the region as a persistent dust source. While accelerated wind erosion can be both driver and consequence of ecosystem change in the Kalahari, the role of aeolian processes and its regional impacts have not been fully established. Here, we examine preliminary data on the influence of southern Kalahari ecosystem changes on surface aerodynamic roughness and aeolian sediment transport as a basis for understanding their interactions.