Assessment Of Wind Erodibility Of Soil Using Gis Techniques

Abstract

Wind erodibility of soils (WE) is a major indicator for prediction, assessment and mapping of wind erosion.This study was undertaken to assess and map non-erodibile particles >0.84 mm and wind erodibility (WE) of soils of Kassala State. Surface (0-3 cm) soil samples were collected from 50 locations, covering most irrigated and rain-fed schemes. Non-erodibie soil particles (NEP) were measured and their equivalent WE were estimated using a standard Table. Pertinent soil physical and chemical properties were measured.Non-erodible particles ranged between 15% and 65.9 % and WE ranged between 36 ton/h and 262 ton/h.Regression analysis showed significant increase in NEP with increase in clay (C) (r2=0.4245), organic matte (OM) (r2=0.92) and decrease of sand(S)(r2=.2821). Silt (Si) had no significantly impact on NEP or WE. Furthermore, NEP increase significantly with increase of C/(Si+S) (r2=0.4218), and decrease (Si+S)/C (r2=.3353), (Si+S) /(C+OM) (r2 = 0.4611) and (Si+S) / (C+CaCO3) (r2=0.3386). Reverse significant correlations were obtained between WE and the same soil variables in sequence. Multiple regression analysis yielded highly significant correlation between the five basic soil proprieties and NEP (r = 0.9400) or WE (r =0.9174).Wind erodibility groups (WEGs) were established for the soils of Kassala State. These WEGs correlated very well with those of Dakota and Alberta. The NEP data was extrapolated and mapped through out Kassala State using GIS technique.