Wind erosion: when the wind takes our water

Soil is a water reservoir, and wind is its silent thief. Although wind erosion is mainly associated with desert areas, in Poland it affects up to one-third of agricultural land. The loss of humus, blowing away of the most valuable particles, and disturbance of soil structure lead not only to reduced yields but also to a dramatic drop in water retention. Wind Day, celebrated on June 15, is a good opportunity to remind ourselves that the fight for water does not begin in rivers, but in the fields.

Wind erosion and soil water retention

Wind erosion is the process of soil particles being blown away by the wind, especially dangerous during periods of drought. The wind carries off the finest fractions of soil – rich in humus and moisture – thus effectively depriving the soil of water and reducing its retention capacity.

Intensive cultivation without proper protective practices promotes erosion by degrading soil structure. Over-loosened subsoil layers hinder infiltration, which in turn lowers water retention in the soil profile. As erosion progresses, surface runoff increases while infiltration decreases, causing the soil to lose moisture and become less fertile. Additionally, increasing droughts and higher air temperatures dry out the soil even more, intensifying wind erosion. As a result, drought and wind together lead to even greater deficits.

Where in Poland does wind harm the soil the most?

Studies show that about 36 percent of Poland’s land area is at risk of wind erosion. This issue primarily affects lowland regions with predominantly light sandy soils and a lack of forest cover. The highest risk occurs in the central and western parts of the country.

It is estimated that as much as 77 percent of the land area in the Greater Poland Voivodeship is exposed to wind erosion. In the Łódź and Masovian regions, the figure is only slightly lower – around 70 percent. In contrast, the southern part of the country experiences significantly less wind erosion. In Lower Silesia and Subcarpathia, about 25 percent of the land is at risk. Why? A varied landscape and higher natural soil moisture inhibit the development of deflation, helping to reduce water loss from the soil.

How to protect water by protecting soil?

To protect soil from wind erosion and maintain its moisture, a variety of preventive practices are implemented. In areas threatened by drought and deflation, the creation of shelterbelts is recommended. Planting trees and shrubs along fields acts as a natural windbreak, reducing wind speed at ground level.

Maintaining vegetative cover (such as cover crops or crop residues) and limiting intensive plowing is also important to protect the soil from being blown away. These measures reduce losses and improve retention potential. In extreme cases, it may be advisable to take the most erosion-prone land out of cultivation and instead plant forests or grasses – actions that permanently reduce the extent of wind erosion and support water retention.

Wind Day is primarily celebrated as a tribute to wind energy and its potential for sustainable development and climate change mitigation. However, let us not forget that soil must also be protected from the wind, and the water we cannot see may be the most important of all.

Bibliography:

1. Instytut Uprawy Nawożenia i Gleboznawstwa – Państwowy Instytut Badawczy. Wybrane zagadnienia erozji gleb w Polsce. Puławy: IUNG-PIB
2. Wawer R., Nowocień E. Ocena retencyjności gleb. Erozja wodna i wietrzna w Polsce. Puławy: IUNG-PIB, 2023
3. Józefaciuk A., Nowocień E., Wawer R. Erozja wietrzna w Polsce. Monografia. Puławy: IUNG-PIB, 2022