Abstract
Wind erosion is a widespread phenomenon causing serious soil degradation. It is estimated that about 28% of the global land area suffers from this process. Global climate changes are expected to accelerate land degradation and significantly affect the intensity of wind erosion. Shelterbelts are linear multi-row planting strips of vegetation (trees or shrubs) established for numerous environmental purposes. Shelterbelts are a specific type of agroforestry system which could reduce soil degradation (soil erosion). Shelterbelts mitigate greenhouse gas through trees storing carbon (C) in their above- and below-ground biomass, wherefore they are highlighted as one of the potential ways to mitigate climate change. The purpose of this chapter is to present wind erosion as a land degradation problem, especially in line with climate changes and the present concept of vegetation establishment in the form of shelterbelts for long-term multi-functional provision of ecosystem services, in particular carbon sequestration.
TopBackground
Wind erosion leads to serious soil degradation (Lal, 1994; Sterk, 2002). This process has a negative impact on soil quality (Wang et al., 2020), agricultural production (Santra et al., 2017), human health (Brevik & Burgess, 2014), etc. Wind erosion has mainly become evident in arid and semi-arid areas (Zhibao et al., 2000). A large concentration of GHG in the atmosphere leads to global warming and climate changes, which could accelerate wind erosion processes in the future all over the world (Sharratt et al. 2015; Li et al., 2019). As an appropriate tool for carbon sequestration, agroforestry systems are recognized worldwide (Montagnini and Nair 2004; Ramachandran Nair, 2009). Shelterbelts represent one of the agroforestry systems and need special attention due to their environmental services, including the potential to mitigate the greenhouse effect (GHG) (Mayrinck et al., 2019). In this regard, numerous studies on shelterbelts' carbon sequestration potential have been performed worldwide (Kort and Turnock, 1998; Czerepowicz et at., 2012; Possu et al., 2017). In line with the modern concept of ecosystem services promoted by Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) (Reid, 2005), the potential of shelterbelts to sequester carbon could be considered an ecosystem service (Xie et al., 2018).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Ecosystem Services: Are the several different benefits to humans provided by the natural environment and healthy ecosystems.
Shelterbelts: Are linear plantings of multiple rows of trees or shrubs established for environmental purposes such as protecting farmsteads and livestock areas, reduce wind speed and alter, wind field, saving energy, and to enhance wildlife habitat.
Carbon Sequestration: Is when atmospheric carbon dioxide is taken up by trees, grasses, and other plants through photosynthesis and stored as carbon in biomass and soils.
Soil Degradation: Is the loss of the intrinsic physical, chemical, and biological qualities of soil either by natural or anthropic processes.
Agroforestry: Is a mutual name for land-use systems and practices in which woody perennials are meaningfully integrated with crops and/or animals on the same land-management unit. The agroforestry system is the interaction of agriculture and trees with productivity, sustainability, and adaptability.
Climate Change: Includes global warming driven by human-induced greenhouse gas emissions and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns.
Wind Erosion: Is a naturally occurring process that causes the transfer of soil particles by wind energy.