Noha Mutwali(1)*., Mohamad Ballal(2), and Adel Farah(3)
(1). Forestry and Gum Arabic Research Centre, Sudan
(2). Freelancer: Natural resources’ management expert, Sudan
(3). Soba Research Station for Reclaiming Saline and Sodic Soils, Sudan
(*Corresponding author: Dr. Noha Mutwali, email:nuhamutwali@yahoo.com)
Received:4/08/2023 Accepted: 20/08/2022
Abstract:
This study was conducted in July 2022 in North Kordofan State (latitudes 11.15o – 16.45oN; longitudes 27.05o – 32oE) in western Sudan on an inherently impoverished sandy soil highly vulnerable to wind erosion. The aim of the study is to assess wind erosion and its social and environmental impacts and the use of shelterbelts as erosion control measures. Various sand traps were used for measuring the sand accumulation. Social surveys were conducted to assess the drivers of land degradation and avoiding it these reasons. The results reveal the highest soil accumulation (70.0ton ha-1 year-1) was obtained at the 15 cm trap height. Soil accumulation at the 30cm and the 45cm high traps was also high (>40ton ha-1 year-1). The study proved that wind is blowing at different levels carrying the soil particles. Disc-ploughing on sandy soils, is the main driver of land degradation followed by overcutting of trees. However, drought, lack of improved seed and poverty are the main constraints to agricultural production.
Key words: wind erosion, Soil accumulation, sand traps, shelterbelts. Social impacts, environmental impact.
Full paper in English: pdf