Nebkhas: An essay in aeolian biogeomorphology

Goudie, Andrew

doi:10.1016/j.aeolia.2022.100772

Cited by 10 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 108 publications

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“…The geomorphic controls on nebkhas occurrence are mainly represented by relief. As illustrated in Figure 8, the nebkhas are less likely to occur in areas where local relief exceeds 10 m. This aligns with previous studies that indicate that nebkhas are typically found in relatively flat places such as dry lake basins (Goudie, 2022;Li et al, 2021).…”

Section: How Different Environmental Variables Shape the Distribution...supporting

confidence: 89%

“…These plants, characterised by their extensive branches, can reduce near‐surface wind speed and intercept aeolian sand, resulting in the formation of mound‐like shapes and spotted irregular spatial patterns of nebkhas (Hesp, Hernández‐Calvento, Hernández‐Cordero, et al, 2021; Hesp & McLachlan, 2000; Wang et al, 2006). Nebkhas exhibit a widespread distribution in global drylands and coastal environments (Goudie, 2022) and have significant ecological effects. Functioning as ‘fertile islands’, nebkhas enrich nutrients and moisture through the dynamic interaction between plants and sediment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The formation and development of nebkhas can be understood as the result of the intricate interaction and co‐evolution of biotic and abiotic factors. Previous studies have demonstrated the importance of vegetation, sediment supply, wind regime and, in some instances, human interference as pivotal variables in the formation of nebkhas (Goudie, 2022; Hesp, Hernández‐Calvento, Gallego‐Fernández, et al, 2021; Langford, 2000; Nickling & Wolfe, 1994; Nield & Baas, 2008; Sanromualdo‐Collado et al, 2022; Wang et al, 2008). These variables exhibit positive feedbacks, enabling nebkhas to persistently grow under favourable conditions until they reach a maximum height (Li et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The formation and development of nebkhas can be understood as the result of the intricate interaction and co-evolution of biotic and abiotic factors. Previous studies have demonstrated the importance of vegetation, sediment supply, wind regime and, in some instances, human interference as pivotal variables in the formation of nebkhas (Goudie, 2022;Langford, 2000;Nickling & Wolfe, 1994;Nield & Baas, 2008;Sanromualdo-Collado et al, 2022;Wang et al, 2008).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Biogeomorphological niche of a landform: Machine learning approaches reveal controls on the geographical distribution of Nitraria tangutorum nebkhas

Zhang,

Li,

Mason

et al. 2024

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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Nebkhas are distinctive biogeomorphological landforms prevalent in global drylands and coastal environments. They play a crucial role in supporting local biodiversity and preventing land desertification and often serve as an indicator of local environmental change. Despite their significance, the environmental factors that affect their geographical distribution and how they respond to climate change have not been fully explored. This study represents a novel application of machine learning models to quantifying the biogeomorphological niche of Nitraria nebkhas in northern China and simulating their geographical distribution under future climate change conditions. Findings underscore that climatic variables influence the growth of formative shrub species on nebkhas, whereas climate, soil and geomorphological conditions, along with their spatial configuration, determine the probability of nebkha occurrence. Predictions under medium and high greenhouse gas emission scenarios indicate a northward shift in the potential distribution of nebkhas in northern China by the end of the century, accompanied by a decrease in the south due to rising temperatures. Given the potential impact of nebkha field degradation on biodiversity and soil hydrological conditions, adaptive land use strategies should be designed to protect nebkhas and mitigate the impact of climate change. Our study not only provides valuable insights for informing policy‐making and conservation initiatives but also serves as an example for quantifying the niche of biogeomorphological landforms and simulating their dynamics by integrating machine learning approaches into empirical geomorphological studies.

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Section: How Different Environmental Variables Shape the Distribution...supporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Biogeomorphological niche of a landform: Machine learning approaches reveal controls on the geographical distribution of Nitraria tangutorum nebkhas

Zhang,

Li,

Mason

et al. 2024

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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“…The choice of suitable plant species is the first step of any eco-technology. The plants living in the harsh environment of desert often have particular qualities such as withstanding drought and aeolian sand abrasion, tolerating salt, and generating adventitious roots (Goudie 2022). According to the local conditions of water resources, aeolian sediment depths and soil qualities, dozens of species, including Populus simonii var.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tensile properties of six desert shrub species in Hobq Desert, China

Liu

Ning

Wang

2022

Israel J. Plant Sci.

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Desert shrubs are often planted to control wind erosion, land desertification, and desert expansion. Their motions of bending and vibration can absorb and disperse kinetic energy of wind, so as to protect the erodible surfaces close-by. According to continuum mechanics, the quantification of mechanical properties of shrubs is critical to understand their dynamic behaviors. In this study, the conventional tensile tests of six dominant desert shrub species’ stems mainly sampled in the Hobq Desert of China are performed. It is found that the tensile strength of Tamarix ramosissima and Hedysarum scoparium are larger than others, whereas Caragana korshinskii and Hippophae rhamnoides are more flexible. And then, it is theoretically and experimentally proved that the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of these desert shrubs both decrease with the increase of diameter.

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Biocrust as a surface protection of erodible nebkhas

Tan,

Luo,

Wang

2024

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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Since the timescale of a nebkha from the initial formation to the eventual destruction might be 1 to 200 years, little is known about the whole evolutionary path. In the phase of erosion and deflation, nebkhas are usually one source of aeolian sand and dust. Biocrust, a common living cover in arid and semiarid regions, could influence dune dynamic. In this study, the shear strength and hardness of the windward slope surface of erodible nebkhas are measured in the upwind margin of the Minqin oasis, China. It is found that both the shear strength and hardness of topsoil are commonly larger than these under the biocrust layer. From the force‐balance equation about the vane shear test, a novel expression for the shear strength of biocrust is derived. The field experiment in the windy season of 2023 shows that the biocrust layer of topsoil can effectively increase the resistance of nebkha surface against wind erosion. The relative larger strength and the self‐repair function of biocrust supported by the local non‐rain water are two main reasons the erodible nebkhas can exist for decades.

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Nebkhas: An essay in aeolian biogeomorphology

Cited by 10 publications

References 108 publications

Biogeomorphological niche of a landform: Machine learning approaches reveal controls on the geographical distribution of Nitraria tangutorum nebkhas

Biogeomorphological niche of a landform: Machine learning approaches reveal controls on the geographical distribution of Nitraria tangutorum nebkhas

Tensile properties of six desert shrub species in Hobq Desert, China

Biocrust as a surface protection of erodible nebkhas

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