Modelling wind erosion at national and regional scale using the CEMSYS model: national monitoring and evaluation framework, prepared for the National Land & Water Resources Audit

Abstract

This document examines the application of the CEMSYS wind erosion and dust transport model as a means of monitoring the impact of wind erosion at national and regional scale. In its current form CEMSYS takes into consideration the atmospheric conditions (wind speed, rainfall etc.) and land surface (soil type, vegetation cover etc.) and estimates wind erosion quantities such as sand flux and dust flux. Other wind erosion related quantities, such as deposition rates, net erosion (sand + dust flux – deposition) threshold friction velocity, and friction velocity are calculated. These quantities can be averaged on an hourly, daily, monthly, or yearly basis. This trial of the CEMSYS model looks at its application to the Australian mainland and area of NSW bounded by 139 to 146E and 31 to 37S. The following topics are covered: •description of CEMSYS •application of CEMSYS on an event, monthly and yearly basis •description of the modelling products that can be used by end user products for reporting proposes •limitations of the CEMSYS model •linkages of the CEMSYS output to other approaches outlined above.