Influence of vegetation cover and crust type on wind-blown sediment in a semi-arid climate

This study determined the influence differing soil surface textures and vegetative covers have on the magnitude of wind erosion in a semi-arid environment. The study was conducted from March 2000 through late April 2000 on the Jornada Experimental Range approximately 37 km north of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Big Spring Number Eight (BSNE) samplers placed at nine locations, collected particulates in suspension and saltation at heights of 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 cm from the following surfaces: loose sand, thick silty physical crust, flaky physical crust, weak desert pavement, and a forb/grass ground cover. BSNE samplers collected the largest amounts of sediment were collected in areas of loose sand and at sites directly downwind from loose sand than sites containing heavy crusting, gravel, or a forb/grass cover. Differences between sites with gravel surfaces and those with forb/grass cover were insignificant. These results quantify the importance of surface cover as an agent towards reducing the extent of wind erosion on semi-arid landscapes.