Wind Erosion in Western Queensland Australia

Chapter 8 – ConclusionsChapter 8ConclusionsThis chapter summarises the outcomes of the research and demonstrates how each of theresearch aims and objectives have been addressed. The main research findings are presentedand discussed in the context of how the thesis has contributed to our knowledge of thecontrols of wind erosion processes. The chapter concludes with a summary of the limitationsof the research and a statement of future research priorities.8.1 Problem Statement and Research AimsThis thesis has presented new information that successfully addresses some majordeficiencies in our knowledge of wind erosion processes in Australia. The research has alsodeveloped new methods for monitoring and modelling spatial and temporal variations in landsusceptibility to wind erosion that have global application. Chapter 1 outlined the rationalefor conducting the research in this thesis. This included a statement of research problemsrelevant to developing our understanding of land erodibility dynamics:• There is a poor knowledge of which areas of western Queensland, Australia, aresusceptible to wind erosion. This is a significant problem considering that Australiacontains the dominant dust source area in the southern hemisphere – the Lake Eyre Basin.• There is a lack of research into spatial and temporal patterns in land erodibility at thelandscape scale. Research into land erodibility at this scale is essential if we are to betterlink field scale wind erosion processes to regional dust emission and transport processes.• We have a poor knowledge of how soil and land erodibility respond to climate variabilityand land management, particularly in rangeland environments which cover ~45% of theworld’s land surface.• There is a lack of quantitative models to predict temporal changes in soil erodibility towind. Soil erodibility is a fundamental control on wind erosion and so this issue affectsany research that seeks to model wind erosion processes.189