Impacts of climate change on wind erosion in southern Africa between
1991 and 2015
Abstract
Wind erosion is the main form of soil erosion in arid and semi-arid
areas. It leads to soil loss and land degradation, which aggravates
ecosystem vulnerability and threatens regional sustainable development.
The assessment of wind erosion and the study of its driving factors can
reduce soil wind erosion and provide decision-making assistance to solve
environmental problems. Southern Africa is affected by severe soil
erosion, which has brought a series of development problems, such as
food crises and poverty. This study used meteorological and remote
sensing data, and the revised wind erosion equation model to explore the
temporal and spatial dynamics of soil erosion in southern Africa from
1991 to 2015. The impact of climate dynamics on soil wind erosion was
also analyzed. The results showed that wind erosion fluctuated during
the study period, and it first showed a downward trend and then
stabilized at a relatively low level after 2010. Soil wind erosion
across 66.65% of the study area significantly decreased (p <
0.05) and near-surface wind speed was the most important factor. The
change in wind speed had a positive impact on soil wind erosion across
68.18% of the area. Temperature and precipitation were significantly
related to soil wind erosion over 18.96% and 24.63% of the area,
respectively. Both can also indirectly affect soil wind erosion through
their effects on vegetation cover. This study will help decision-makers
to evaluate areas that are at high-risk from soil erosion in southern
Africa and enable them to effectively protect fragile ecosystems.