Wind Tunnel Tests Reveal Aeolian Relocation Processes Related to Land Cover and Surface Characteristics in the Souss Basin, Morocco

The Souss Basin is a dryland environment featuring soil, surface and climatic conditions enhancing processes of wind erosion mineral organic dust emissions while subject to frequent grazing, tillage driving. fine-grained compacted surfaces are covered by physical biological crusts stone cover sparsely vegetated open argan woodland patchily distributed bushes. Wind-tunnel experiments soil sampling were conducted on the deeply incised alluvial fans originating from High Atlas Anti-Atlas mountains investigate ecosystem, including woodland, for information local wind-induced relocation associated emission potential. To possible connections between environmental traits emissions, we used two approaches: (a) categories (stone cover, crust cohesionless sand) (b) Land Cover Classes (wasteland, wadi). results indicate omnipresent dynamic aeolian regional scale. Wind impact powerful trigger on-site available may be crucial explain heterogeneous spatial distribution carbon nutrients with fines. Aeolian flux showed statistically significant relations and, some extent, Classes. While key understanding sediment nutrient dynamics fertile islands, also considerable potential under increasing climate anthropogenic pressure.