Aeolian Dust in Dryland Landscapes of the Western United States
Dust emission caused by wind erosion has received considerable attention because of its far-reaching effects on ecosystems, including the loss of nutrients and water-holding capacity from source areas, changes to climate and global energy balance in areas where dust is entrained in the atmosphere, fertilization of terrestrial and marine ecosystems, in addition to decreases in snow albedo, causing earlier and faster snowmelt and river runoff in sink areas. Dust emission has also attracted interest due to its socioeconomic consequences, including property damage, declines in agricultural productivity, and health and safety hazards. Given the potentially large impact of dust emission, it is crucial to understand the amounts and sources of dust emission, the physical and chemical properties of dust, and future scenarios of wind erosion.
Background & Importance
Atmospheric dust caused by wind erosion has far-reaching effects on dryland ecosystems of the western U.S., including the redistribution of nutrients, changes to climate and global energy balance, and decreases in downwind mountain snowpack albedo, which causes earlier and faster snowmelt and river runoff. Dust also has socioeconomic consequences that include property damage, changes to agricultural productivity, and implications for air quality and human health. We are working to understand the factors that contribute to dust emission, the locations of emission and deposition, the physical and chemical properties of dust, and the prospects for future dust emission.
General Methods
A major concentration of this work is combining empirical and modeling approaches to examine the sources and magnitude of dust emission under current conditions and under future climate and land-use change scenarios.
Important Results
We have developed simple tools scientists and managers can use to assess wind erosion vulnerability of a site, established a dust-monitoring network in the Four Corners region to better understand total atmospheric particulate loads and compare methods to assess deposition dynamics in space and time, and have characterized the physical and chemical properties of dust to better understand how dust influences atmospheric properties, ecosystem functions, and human health.
Future Directions
Future work includes: 1) developing wind erosion vulnerability maps at local to regional scales, and 2) understanding the synergy between wind and water erosion.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Colorado Plateau Extreme Drought in Grassland Experiment (EDGE)
Chronic Drought Impacts on Colorado Plateau ecosystems (Rain-Out Experiment)
Ecohydrology and Climate Change in Drylands
Dryland Forest Sustainability
RAMPS: Restoration Assessment & Monitoring Program for the Southwest
Big Sagebrush Ecosystem Response to Climate & Disturbance
- Overview
Dust emission caused by wind erosion has received considerable attention because of its far-reaching effects on ecosystems, including the loss of nutrients and water-holding capacity from source areas, changes to climate and global energy balance in areas where dust is entrained in the atmosphere, fertilization of terrestrial and marine ecosystems, in addition to decreases in snow albedo, causing earlier and faster snowmelt and river runoff in sink areas. Dust emission has also attracted interest due to its socioeconomic consequences, including property damage, declines in agricultural productivity, and health and safety hazards. Given the potentially large impact of dust emission, it is crucial to understand the amounts and sources of dust emission, the physical and chemical properties of dust, and future scenarios of wind erosion.
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. View Media DetailsDust storm in Moab, UT (2010). (Credit: USGS. Public domain.) Background & Importance
Atmospheric dust caused by wind erosion has far-reaching effects on dryland ecosystems of the western U.S., including the redistribution of nutrients, changes to climate and global energy balance, and decreases in downwind mountain snowpack albedo, which causes earlier and faster snowmelt and river runoff. Dust also has socioeconomic consequences that include property damage, changes to agricultural productivity, and implications for air quality and human health. We are working to understand the factors that contribute to dust emission, the locations of emission and deposition, the physical and chemical properties of dust, and the prospects for future dust emission.
General Methods
A major concentration of this work is combining empirical and modeling approaches to examine the sources and magnitude of dust emission under current conditions and under future climate and land-use change scenarios.
Important Results
We have developed simple tools scientists and managers can use to assess wind erosion vulnerability of a site, established a dust-monitoring network in the Four Corners region to better understand total atmospheric particulate loads and compare methods to assess deposition dynamics in space and time, and have characterized the physical and chemical properties of dust to better understand how dust influences atmospheric properties, ecosystem functions, and human health.
Future Directions
Future work includes: 1) developing wind erosion vulnerability maps at local to regional scales, and 2) understanding the synergy between wind and water erosion.
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. View Media DetailsDust storm near Winslow, Arizona reduces roadside visibility, which can lead to vehicle collisions (2011).(Credit: Seth Munson, USGS. Public domain.) - Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Colorado Plateau Extreme Drought in Grassland Experiment (EDGE)
In drylands, short-term extreme droughts can have profound ecosystem effects, depending on the timing (seasonality) of drought and the sensitivities of the dominant plants and plant functional types. Past work suggests that cool season drought may disproportionately impact regionally important grass and shrub species. In this study, we are examining the impacts of extreme seasonal drought on...Chronic Drought Impacts on Colorado Plateau ecosystems (Rain-Out Experiment)
In drylands, chronic reductions in water availability (press-drought) through reduced precipitation and increased temperatures may have profound ecosystem effects, depending on the sensitivities of the dominant plants and plant functional types. In this study, we are examining the impacts of moderate, but long-term chronic drought using a network of 40 drought shelters on the Colorado Plateau...Ecohydrology and Climate Change in Drylands
Drylands cover 40% of the global terrestrial surface and provide important ecosystem services. However, climate forecasts in most dryland regions, especially the southwest U.S., call for increasing aridity. Specifically, changing climate will alter soil water availability, which exerts dominant control over ecosystem structure and function in water-limited, dryland ecosystems. This research seeks...Dryland Forest Sustainability
Forests in the semiarid southwestern U.S. are expected to be highly vulnerable to increasing aridity anticipated with climate change. In particular, low elevation forests and the processes of tree regeneration and mortality are likely to be highly susceptible to climate change. This work seeks to characterize how, where and when forest ecosystems will change and identify management strategies to...RAMPS: Restoration Assessment & Monitoring Program for the Southwest
The Restoration Assessment and Monitoring Program for the Southwest (RAMPS) seeks to assist U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and other land management agencies in developing successful techniques for improving land condition in dryland ecosystems of the southwestern United States. Invasion by non-native species, wildfire, drought, and other disturbances are growing rapidly in extent and...Big Sagebrush Ecosystem Response to Climate & Disturbance
Big sagebrush ecosystems are a major component of landscapes in the western U.S. and provide vital habitat to a wide array of wildlife species. However, big sagebrush ecosystems have been dramatically impacted by disturbances in the past several decades. This collaborative research between USGS and the University of Wyoming focuses on understanding how climatic and soil conditions influence big... - Publications
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