Using Sentinel‐1 and Sentinel‐2 to assess the role of soil water content and vegetation cover in mitigating wind erosion in cultivated organic soil
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Wind erosion is a major threat to organic soils under intensive agriculture, reducing their productivity and long‐term sustainability. Up to 2.5 cm of soil can be lost in a single storm. This study examined how soil water content and vegetation cover influence wind erosion in cultivated organic soils of the Montérégie region, Quebec, using satellite data and predictive modeling. Sentinel‐1 radar was used to estimate relative soil water content, while Sentinel‐2 optical imagery monitored vegetation cover through the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Field measurements of soil height change validated satellite estimates and supported model development. The results showed that soils were most vulnerable to erosion at moderate (40%–60%) to high (60%–80%) water content, while very dry (<20%) or very wet (>80%) soils were more resistant. Erosion decreased sharply when NDVI exceeded 0.4, indicating protective vegetation cover. A random forest model predicted soil height change from relative water content with an R 2 of 0.71, and an exponential plateau model from vegetation cover with an R 2 of 0.48. These results demonstrate that soil water content and vegetation cover strongly control wind erosion in organic soils. Combining field data with satellite monitoring provides a reliable tool for assessing and mitigating erosion risk. Maintaining adequate surface moisture and vegetation cover can substantially reduce soil loss, supporting sustainable agriculture and long‐term soil conservation in organic farming systems.
Source: Vadose Zone Journal
DOI: 10.1002/vzj2.70069
Institution: Université Laval
Language: English
Subfield: Earth-Surface Processes
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,070
OpenAlex ID: W7120175935