Wind Erosion Activities for Prevention of Wind Erosion Wind ...

Wind ErosionAn increase is observed in sand and dustmovements in Turkey by the effect of the winderosion in arid and semi-arid regions asa result of climate change.Activities for Prevention of Wind ErosionWind erosion prevention activities are carried out inorder to protect settlement zones, agricultural areasand rangelands and roads from wind erosion.Wind Curtains in Agricultural LandsIn order to protect the agricultural lands fromthe wind erosion, the wind curtains are installedin three lines.State of Forests in TurkeyTurkey has rich biological diversity value for planttypes other than forest trees, non-wood forest productsand fauna resources. The forest area in Turkey hasbeen increased by 1,3 million hectares with theactivities performed in the last 37 years.Settlement areas, agricultural areas, ranges,roads and water resources are affected negativelyfrom this movements. In order to preventthe transport of loose dry and thin formed soilon lands with insufficient vegetation by the effectof strong winds, activities are conducted to preventwind erosion.Protective Forest BeltIn order to protect settlement areas, agriculture areas andrangelands from wind erosion, protective forest lines arecreated. For the formation of such forest lines with 30-60 meterwidth, those types which are naturally growing in the region andsuitable for climate and soil demands are used.Wind CurtainsWind curtains are generally built to protect the agricultural,pasture and roads subjected to wind erosion and reduce itseffect on them. Wind curtains are generally formed in threelines, perpendicular to dominant wind direction.Forests cover an area of 21.5 million ha. in Turkey (27.6 % ofcountry’s land surface). 99.9 % of country’s forests are ownedby the state. Thereabout half of the forests consists of coniferousspecies and the other half consists of broad-leaved species.Besides possessing circa 9000 plant species, including 3000endemic species, and rich fauna resources; Turkey is amongthe temperate zone countries which are rich in terms ofbiological diversity. In Turkey; the distribution of forestecosystems is as follows; rainforests and temperate zone in thenorth, Mediterranean forest ecosystems in the west and southregions, arid-semiarid forest ecosystems having mainly oakspecies in the East-Southeast regions, and transition zone forestecosystems in the coastal and inner regions. Turkey’s forestshave rich biological diversity values in terms of plant speciesother than forest trees, non-wood forest products and faunaresources.Wind Direction5mMeter20mThe elm, oak, false locust, cedar, black pine, cypress are thespecies commonly used for the installation of wind curtains.Wind curtains on the pasture area should be installedwith 350 m intervals.Lands Distribution in TurkeyForests%27.6Rangeland and Pasturing Land% 26.4Farming Lands% 34Lakes% 1Settlement Areas,Roads andOther Facilities% 11

Activities for fighting inner dunesfighting inner dunes is generally made by coveringdune with live or inorganic material or throughafforestation.Use of the localSpecies is deemedas important in theActivities forcombating winderosion in Turkey.REBUPLIC OF TURKEYMINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTRYGENERAL DIRECTORATE OF AFFORESTATION AND EROSION CONTROLThey are installed as per the width of the areas nearby the roads.For the afforestation works made for sand dune identification onregions having water deficit , drip irrigation systems are used. Inthe activities for sand dune identification to stop sand dunemovements; perennial herbaceous used as animal feed.Before WorkFor the purpose of providing additional income for the localpeople, bearer species like stone pine are used in activitiesfor combating wind erosion in Turkey.Sand Dune Stabilization ActivitiesActivities for fighting shore dunesAfter WorkBy the installation of windbreaks,erosion is decreased, water economy of the soil is regulated,water saving is provided, animal production is increased, pestsare controlled in agricultural areas, grass growth in rangelandsare increased, and human health is affected positively.Sand dunes in Turkey are moved by humaneffects and harm their environments. The mainreason of the dune movement is degradation ofvegetation on sand dunes, over grazing,incorrect land use etc.In Turkey, there are shore dune and inner (land)dune movements.Stopping movement of front dunesFor this; bush fences or thick bushes are formed as cordperpendicular to the dominant wind direction.Permanent Stabilization (Afforestation)Activities for stopping front dune movements are made to providesuitableenvironment to afforestation activities so that permanentstabilization is provided. Unless dune area is covered withvegetation and continuity is provided, dune movement startsagain.As a result of the activities performed, agricultural areas andrangelands unused due to the effect of the wind erosion arebecoming useful again.www.agm.gov.trICT +90 312 212 50 00ACTIVITIES FOR COMBATINGWIND EROSION IN TURKEYForest for people, forest for future