Abstract
The Antelope Valley is situated in the semi-arid Mojave Desert and
normally supports sufficient vegetative cover to impede wind erosion.
During 1990 and early 1991, however, approximately 10,000 hectares were
eroded, leading to severely degraded air quality, millions of dollars in
crop damage, and roads and homes buried by sand. These conditions
prevailed despite light wind conditions. The erosion was the result of
substantially reduced natural vegetation cover caused by eight years of
below-normal precipitation and two years of severe drought. The drought
conditions also led to the abandonment of agricultural fields and an
increase in sheep grazing which left land susceptible to wind erosion.
Monitoring of precipitation conditions and the implementation of
preventative management strategies would help mitigate future episodes of
wind erosion in this region. Wind erosion of this magnitude is rare in
Antelope Valley, but should be considered when planning future development
in this region.
Back to Dr. Bach's Homepage