Wind erosion resistance of steppe soils of Ukraine

Abstract

Aim. The study of direct (wind erosion resistance) and indirect (lumpiness, mechanical durability, etc) indices of current wind erosion resistance of steppe soils in Ukraine. Methods. The following methods were used: fi eld, laboratory, mathematical and statistical, analytical and comparative methods. Wind resistance of soils was studied using the elaborated method in the aerodynamic unit. Results. The studies revealed that the high- est resistance to soil blowing due to strong winds is demonstrated by light loamy chernozem, somewhat lower resistance – by southern and dark-chestnut heavy loamy chernozem, light loamy, sandy loamy and sandy turf soil. It was demonstrated that the irrigation with mineralized water enhances the indices of wind erosion resis- tance of dark-chestnut soil and southern chernozem. The granulometric analysis of soil revealed quantitative dependence between the wind erosion resistance, humus content and physical clay content. Conclusions. The studies on wind erosion resistance of dry steppe and southern steppe soils of Ukraine and the classifi cation of soil types regarding their capability of resisting strong winds allow implementing the measures of preventing wind erosion.

Risk Assessment of Land Degradation Using Satellite Imagery and Geospatial Modelling in Ukraine

“…The wind speed reached up to 20 m/s. It is known that the southern chernozems structure damage can occur when the wind speed is of 5-6 m/s [14]. With an exception of soil erosion phenomena, the UNCCD Country Profile of 2006 consider other exogenous geological processes caused land degradation in Ukraine ( Table 1…”

“…Previous research [14,37,38] studied spread of water erosion and aerotechnogenic contamination on the territory of the Dnepropetrovsk oblast ( Figure 6). Threaten condition for the small rivers ecosystems were emphasized.…”

“…The soils here are the least subjected to water erosion and anthropogenic contamination, and so they are eligible for the safe crop growth. Previous research [14,37,38] studied peculiarities of arable land degradation caused with several factors (arid climate, water and wind erosion, irrigation, salinization, old tillage systems application, acid rains, etc.). Additional environmental risks for the small rivers ecosystems were emphasized.…”