Source control and management
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.
Managing how land is used – farming
Conservation tillage (plowing) - No till/strip tillage (protects soil)
No till/strip tillage minimizes the breaking up of the soil surface and the ability of the wind to lift dust and sand.
Nature-based
Protects soil
Managing how land is used – farming
Reduce area or duration of no cover on the land, as part of agricultural use of land (protects soil)
Reducing the area or duration of no cover on soil as part of agricultural use of land can reduce the likelihood that soils will be lifted by wind.
Nature-based
Protects soil
Managing how land is used – farming
Permanently covering land with vegetation (protects soil)
Permanently covering land with vegetation is highly effective, easy to implement and with low cost and low or no maintenance requirement and long longevity.
Nature-based
Protects soil
Improving soil conditions to reduce likelihood of lifting by wind
Leaving crop residue on soil (protects soil)
Leaving crop residue on soil to hold down the soil.
Nature-based
Protects soil
Managing how land is used – farming
Mulch tillage (protects soil)
Managing the amount, orientation, and distribution of crop and other plant residue on the soil surface year round while growing crops where the entire field surface is tilled prior to during the planting operation.
Nature-based
Protects soil
Managing how land is used – farming
Reduce field work during high wind (protects soil)
This option can be very effective in reducing dust at a low cost and no maintenance by avoiding periods when soil moisture or weather conditions can lead to SDS events.
Protects soil
Managing how land is used – farming
Night farming (protects soil)
Farming at night is to take advantage of cooler temperatures and higher humidity which can make dust generation less likely.
Protects soil
Managing how land is used – farming
Limit on-site vehicle speed to 15 mph (protects soil)
Limiting vehicle speeds is intended to reduce dust generation on unpaved roads or on, for instance, construction sites or during work in fields.
Protects soil
Increase surface roughness
Solar Panels to reduce wind speed (reduces wind speed)
The use of solar panel installations to reduce wind speed and provide covered space for plant development which can stabilize soils.
Reduces wind
Increase surface roughness
Straw checkerboards to control the movement of sand (reduces wind speed)
Straw or other materials placed on the ground in a grid (checkerboard) pattern to disrupt the speed of wind and trap blowing sand and dust and organic materials (seeds, plants and debris, etc.)
Nature-based
Reduces wind