Source control and management

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Source control and management

The Source Management and Control Module provides over 60 options to manage or control sand and dust storms together with over 75 sustainable land management technologies which can be employed to implement the source management and control options.

There are several ways to find SDS source management options: 

  • Use the Keyword box below to search for key words describing an option. 
  • Use the Filter box below to select an option by 
    • The Function of an option or 
    • One or more of three attributes: Nature-based, Reduces wind speed or Protects soil from the wind.

Information on each option includes: 

  • How the option works, in reducing wind speed or protecting the soil from the wind, 
  • The efficiency, cost, maintenance requirements, the length of time an option will function, co-benefits, the ease of establishing an option and the degree to which the option can be combined with other options, and, 
  • Additional information useful in using option, where available

To share best practice options, tools, technologies, methods and experience in SDS source control and management please see the Get Involved page in our Land management & restoration section. 

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Dust Mitigation Handbook

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Use of water to control dust sources
Reestablish wetlands (protects soil)
Reestablishing wetlands is highly efficient at low to moderate costs and can involve low to no maintenance. Longevity can be long although it may take time to establish a fully functioning wet land.
Nature-based
Protects soil
Bonding or covering the soil
Rock shield – natural (protects soil)
This option involves allowing establishment of a natural rock shield through wind erosion. Also called Desert Pavement.
Nature-based
Protects soil
Bonding or covering the soil
Dust suppression of SDS source areas (protects soil)
Dust suppression of possible SDS source areas involves spreading natural moisture-bonding (deliquescent) salt compounds or manufactured chemical compounds on the locations which can generate dust.
Protects soil
Bonding or covering the soil
Soil bonding chemicals (protects soil)
Soil bonding chemicals are highly effective and relatively easy to use but can be costly compared to other options. They are low maintenance once applied but are not usually effective for more than short periods, have limited co-benefits and should be combined with other measures to reduce the emission of dust.
Protects soil
Bonding or covering the soil
Biocrust inoculation (protects soil)
Biocrusts are consortia of bacteria, cyanobacteria, fungi, lichens, and mosses that occupy the interface between soil and atmosphere in most drylands, providing critical ecosystem functions such as stabilizing soils and increasing fertility.
Nature-based
Protects soil
Bonding or covering the soil
Natural crust development (protects soil)
Soils can develop natural crusts which can prevent or inhibit the lifting of sand and dust by the wind. The mechanisms by which natural crust develops differ by the types of soils involved, particularly in relation to the composition of sand, dust and clays.
Nature-based
Protects soil
Managing how land is used – livestock
Limiting access (protects soil)
Using gates and fences to keep animals or people out of dust or sand source areas.
Protects soil
Managing how land is used – livestock
Rehabilitation of degraded pastures (protects soil)
The rehabilitation of degraded pastures involves other SDS management options, including Soil surface roughening using plowing, Ripping the soil, Surface scarification, Mulch tillage, Permanent vegetive land cover, Rotational grazing and forage banks, Grass or other plant cover, Grass cover- naturally established, Mulching and Cover crops , Application of organic fertilizer and manure compost and Spreading livestock manure.
Nature-based
Protects soil