Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2025
07:20
Laboratory and Field Protocol for Estimating Sheet Erosion Rates from Dendrogeomorphology
Published on: January 7, 2019
7.7K
A GIS-toolbox for a landscape structure based Wind Erosion Risk Assessment (WERA)
1Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), WG Soil Erosion and Feedbacks, Eberswalder Str. 84, D-15374 Muencheberg, Germany.
Methodsx
|November 19, 2024
Summary
Landscape structures reduce wind speed and erosion risk. Analyzing landscape element heights and wind direction helps map wind speed reduction, creating effective wind erosion risk maps.
Area of Science:
- Environmental science
- Soil science
- Agricultural engineering
Background:
- Landscape structure significantly impacts local wind fields, reducing wind speed and mitigating wind erosion.
- Key parameters include landscape element height, wind speed thresholds for erosion initiation, and wind direction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for mapping spatial wind speed reduction by landscape structures.
- To integrate landscape effects into wind erosion risk assessments.
Main Methods:
- Combining landscape element heights with directional transport capacities of erosive wind speeds.
- Utilizing the ArcGIS toolbox "WERA" for detailed analysis of landscape structure's influence on wind erosion.
- Overlaying wind speed reduction maps with soil erodibility maps.
Main Results:
- A derived map illustrating spatial wind speed reduction due to landscape structures.
- Identification of high-risk areas and potential locations for additional landscape elements (LE).
- Capability to determine area-specific wind erosion risk for various administrative levels.
Conclusions:
- The presented method effectively quantifies landscape effects on wind erosion risk.
- The WERA toolbox provides a valuable tool for landscape-level wind erosion analysis.
- This approach aids in targeted land management and conservation strategies to reduce soil erosion.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Design Example: Analyzing Capacity Contours for Flood Risk Assessment
40
Flood risk assessment involves careful planning and analysis to ensure the safety of communities near water retention structures. Capacity contours are a vital tool in this process, as they illustrate the potential spread of water at specific levels in a given area. In the context of building a bund across a small valley, these contours play a critical role in evaluating the safety of nearby residential areas.In this example, the bund is intended to store stormwater in the valley. The engineers...
40
01:17Design Example: Calculating Safe Diameter for Wind-Exposed Disc
43
Assessing safety in wind-exposed installations is crucial to preventing potential failures. This example explores the calculation and design adjustments needed to mount a circular disc on a building facade, where wind forces are a primary concern. A 4-meter diameter disc was initially designed as an aesthetic feature facing winds at a velocity of 25 meters per second, with an air density of 1.25 kilograms per cubic meter. Given these conditions, the drag force on the disc was determined using...
43
01:29Topographic Surveying and Contours
51
Topographic surveying is critical for documenting the Earth's surface, focusing on capturing elevations, slopes, and natural and man-made features. It is essential in construction planning, water resource management, and land-use analysis. The primary outcome of such surveys is a topographic map, which uses contour lines to visually represent the shape and slope of the terrain, providing valuable insights into the landscape's characteristics.Contour lines are fundamental to understanding the...
51
01:29Levels of Use of a GIS
44
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) operate across three levels of application, each representing an increasing degree of complexity: data management, analysis, and prediction. These levels reflect the expanding functionality and versatility of GIS technology in handling spatial data for diverse purposes.Data ManagementAt its foundational level, GIS serves as a tool for data management, enabling the input, storage, retrieval, and organization of spatial data. This level is often employed in...
44
01:25Methods of Obtaining Topography
55
Topography involves measuring and mapping land elevations, natural features, and artificial structures to create accurate representations of the terrain. Topographic surveying relies on traditional and modern methods, each with distinct advantages and limitations.Traditional Surveying Methods:Transit stadia surveys and plane table surveys were widely used traditional surveying methods. These techniques relied on instruments like theodolites and stadia rods for measuring distances and angles,...
55
01:21Manipulation and Analysis
20
GIS manipulation and analysis functions are vital for decision-making and planning. These activities range from data retrieval tasks, such as selecting information based on specific criteria, to advanced analytical techniques that address complex spatial problems.One critical GIS analysis method is overlaying, which combines multiple data layers to examine impacts. For example, overlaying a river-dammed lake boundary with road networks can identify affected infrastructure. Another common...
20