Linking regional modelling with field measurements to evaluate effectiveness of living windbreaks as measures against wind erosion

Kaltenburg-Lindau

2020

2 S.

Sonderdruck

12738S

40001648

The degrading impact of wind on agricultural soils has been observed throughout centuries in the Pannonian region of central Europe. Nevertheless, soil loss was not yet quantified and the extent or relevance of the problem are unknown for this agriculturally important region. Especially dry soil surface is highly prone to erosion and as drought periods are expected to become more frequent and severe with changing climate, the risk of wind erosion will increase accordingly. Living windbreaks and similar agro-forestry systems are supposed to be highly effective measures against wind erosion. In an extensive research project, multiple approaches are integrated to obtain a broad view onto the relevance of soil degradation by wind on plot scale and its regional distribution.