Issue: Contributions and pressures between the land and the atmosphere - Airborne substances
This is an issue under the Land theme of the Data Reporting System.
Why we need to know about this issue
One pressure of the atmosphere on the land is wind which can pick up small particles of dust from bare soil, contributing to erosion and soil depletion. Land clearing can expose more soil, making more dust available to become airborne thus affecting air quality.
The atmosphere can also transport substances that have impacts on the land when they are deposited, often some distance from their origin, including dust from bare land, smoke from burning and pollution from human settlements.
Indicators
- LD-04 Area and change in area of exposed soil surface contributing to erosion
Area of exposed soil is an indication of the quantity of unstable soil available to contribute to dust storms affecting air quality and also available to be deposited elsewhere on the land. - LD-26 Dust storm index
Area of exposed soil is an indication of the quantity of unstable soil available to contribute to dust storms. - CO-70 Examples or case studies of localised impacts of windborne dust and smoke
Land use change can place pressure on the atmosphere as dust from bare ground or smoke from burning, and the atmosphere can in turn place pressure on the land as these substances are deposited a long way from their place of origin.
Related issues
- Land - Land condition- Soil stability and quality
- Land - Direct pressure of human activities on the land- Soil loss and loss of soil quality
Key
Links to another web site
Links to data in the DRS
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