Koala, S and Bielders, C L (1997) Extent and Severity of Wind Erosion in West and Central Africa. In: Wind Erosion in Africa and West Asia: Problems and Control Strategies, 22-25 April 1997, Cairo, Egypt.
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Abstract
The West African Sahel (WAS) is the transition zone between the Sahara desert in the north of Africa and the more humid Sudanian zones in the south. Although diverse in many ways, the WAS countries have in common a fragile agricultural sector, brought about by poor soil, limited rainfall, frequent drought, and wind erosion that accelerates soil degradation and desertification, compounded by rapidly' growing populations. Erosive winds '"occur during two distinct seasons. During the dry season (October- April) the region is invaded by strong northeasterly winds, known as harmattan, resulting in moderate wind erosion. The second and most important wind-erosion period is the early rainy season (May-July), when rainfall comes with heavy thunderstorms . that move westward through the Sahel. Wind erosion can be controlled by soil cover, such as a mulch of crop residue, soil roughening, and the reduction of wind speed by annual or perennial grass barriers, artificial barriers, strip cropping, and windbreaks. Based on the strong relationship between the incidence of wind erosion and soil properties, it may be possible to map the incidence of potential wind erosion in the West African Sahel, and hence tell farmers where ameliorative measures can be used to best advantage.
| Item Type: | Conference or Workshop Item (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Divisions: | UNSPECIFIED |
| CRP: | UNSPECIFIED |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Soil Erosion, Africa, West Asia |
| Subjects: | Others > Soil Science |
| Depositing User: | Mr Siva Shankar |
| Date Deposited: | 15 Nov 2012 10:09 |
| Last Modified: | 20 Sep 2013 08:36 |
| URI: | http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/6218 |
| Acknowledgement: | UNSPECIFIED |
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