The WEELS model: methods, results and limitations

• Published in: Catena (Giessen) Vol. 52; no. 3; pp. 289 - 308
• Main Authors: Böhner, Juergen, Schäfer, W., Conrad, O., Gross, J., Ringeler, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cremlingen-Destedt Elsevier B.V 01.07.2003; Catena
• Subjects: Aeolian accumulation; Aeolian transport; Bgi / Prodig; Geomorphology; Methods and techniques; Modelling; Physical geography; Wind; Wind erosion; Europe; Wind; Modelling; Aeolian transport; Wind erosion; Aeolian accumulation; Aeolian features; Soil erosion; Soil properties; Forecast; Model; Aeolian deposit; Land use
• DOI: 10.1016/S0341-8162(03)00019-5
• ISSN: 0341-8162

Within the European Union (EU)-funded Project ‘Wind Erosion on European Light Soils’ (WEELS), a model was designed and implemented with the aim of predicting the long-term spatial distribution of wind erosion risks in terms of erosion hours and wind-induced soil loss. In order to ensure wide applicability, the model structure consists of a modular combination of different approaches and algorithms, running on available or easily collected topographic and climatological data input. Whereas the ‘WIND’, ‘WIND EROSIVITY’ and ‘SOIL MOISTURE’ modules combine factors that contribute to the temporal variations of climatic erosivity, the ‘SOIL ERODIBILITY’, ‘SURFACE ROUGHNESS’ and ‘LAND USE’ modules predict the temporal soil and vegetation cover variables that control soil erodibility. Preliminary simulations over a 29-year period for the Barnham site (UK) (1970–1998) and a 13-year period for the Grönheim site (Germany) (1981–1993) generally resulted in a higher erosion risk for the English test site, where the total mean soil loss was estimated at 1.56 t ha −1 year −1 and mean maximum soil loss at about 15.5 t ha −1 year −1. The highest rates exceeded 3 t ha −1 in March, September and November. On the northern German test site, the total mean soil loss was 0.43 t ha −1 year −1. The highest erosion rates were predicted in April when they can exceed 2.5 t ha −1. The total mean maximum soil loss at this site of about 10.0 t ha −1 year −1 corresponds to a loss of about 0.65 mm. Predictions based on a land use scenario for the German site revealed that the erosion risk could be reduced significantly by changing land use strategies.