Wind Erosion: An International Symposium

John Tatarko (jt@weru.ksu.edu)
Thu, 25 Jul 1996 14:17:12 -0500 (CDT)

Dear list members,

I am pleased to submit the following announcement. Please feel free to
post or forward this announcement to your colleagues. Note that a
World Wide Web page has been established to keep you informed of the
latest information on the Symposium/Workshop. I apologize for multiple
copies some of you may receive due to posting of this announcement to
other lists.

Sincerely,
John

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Announcement/Call for papers

Wind Erosion: An International Symposium/Workshop
Commemorating the 50th anniversary
of the USDA's Wind Erosion Research at Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas, USA
3-5 June 1997

Background

Wind erosion is a serious problem in many parts of the world. It is
worse in arid and semiarid regions. Areas most susceptible to wind
erosion on agricultural land include much of North Africa and the Near
East; parts of southern, central, and eastern Asia; the Siberian
Plains; Australia; northwest China; southern South America; and North
America. Wind erosion physically removes from the field the most
fertile portion of the soil. Some soil from damaged land enters
suspension and becomes part of the atmospheric dust load. Dust
obscures visibility and pollutes the air, causes automobile accidents,
fouls machinery, and imperils animal and human health.

During the 1930s, a prolonged dry spell in the prairies of North
America culminated in dust storms and soil destruction of disastrous
proportions. The "black blizzards" of the resulting Dust Bowl
inflicted great hardships on the people and the land. Following the
"dirty thirties", the U.S. Department of Agriculture started an
intensive research program on wind erosion in cooperation with Kansas
State University. Today, this laboratory, officially known as the Wind
Erosion Research Unit (WERU), continues to serve as a focal point for
wind erosion research, both nationally and internationally.

This symposium is held in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the
USDA's Wind Erosion Research at Kansas State University. The purpose
is to bring together leading scientists, conservationists, and policy
makers to: identify the present and future wind erosion threat to
sustainability; summarize current understanding of wind erosion
processes, prediction, and control; identify societal needs and develop
strategies for sustaining agriculture, protecting the environment, and
conserving the natural resource against the ravages of wind erosion.

Program

Scientists, engineers and conservationists are invited to present
papers and/or attend sessions related to the occurrence, measurement,
and prediction and control of wind erosion and related processes and
consequences. Plenary, concurrent, and poster sessions are planned.
Keynote addresses will feature various aspects of wind erosion.

Publication

Abstracts for all presentations will be available at the symposium.
The Symposium manuscripts will be reviewed and considered for a special
publication that will be mailed to all registered symposium
participants.

CALL FOR PAPERS

Authors intending to offer an oral/poster presentation are required to
submit an abstract (English preferred) of no more than one-page by 31
December 1996.

Abstracts should include in this order: author, title, text, and
corresponding author's address and telephone number. Submit abstracts
(preferably by e-mail) and participation form to:

sym@weru.ksu.edu
or
symposium abstracts
c/o USDA, ARS Wind Erosion
Throckmorton Hall, KSU
Manhattan, Kansas 66506
USA

Manuscripts submitted will be reviewed and considered for special
publication.

General
The registration fee for the conference will be approximately $200.
This fee includes three lunches, one banquet, one picnic dinner/tour of
the Konza Prairie, refreshment breaks, a copy of the abstracts, and the
special Symposium issue of the Soil and Water Conservation Society
Journal.

Housing will be available at campus residence halls for approximately
$125 (4 nights, 3 breakfasts). Rooms are also available at the local
Ramada Inn for approximately $59 per night plus tax; no meals are
included. All fees are in US dollars.

Registration forms, abstract forms, and symposium brochure will be
mailed to those who return the "Intent to Participate" form (see
attached form). Future announcements and current information about the
symposium can be accessed through the World Wide Web URL:
http://www.weru.ksu.edu/ and email: sym@weru.ksu.edu.

IMPORTANT DATES
- General announcement: May 1996
- Deadline to return "Intent to Participate" form: 30 September 1996
- Brochure mailed: 31 October 1996
- Abstract received: 31 December 1996
- Acceptance Notice mailed: 31 January 1997
- Symposium: 3-5 June 1997
- Manuscripts Due: 30 June 1997

Tentative Program

3 June 1997
08:00 Registration
09:00 Opening keynote address: historical perspective
Extent and severity of wind erosion world wide (regions, soil
degradation, threat to sustainability, visibility, off-site
damage, crop damage, health, etc.)

12:00 Buffet lunch
13:30 Physics of processes
Measurements
19:00 Symposium Banquet/Entertainment/Dust Bowl Story

4 June 1997
08:30 Modeling wind erosion and associated processes
Supporting data bases (crop, soil, climate, management, etc.)
12:00 Buffet lunch
13:30 Climatology relating to wind erosion
Wind erosion and global change
15:30 Poster Presentations
17:30 Tour of the famous Konza Prairie and outdoor buffalo barbecue

5 June 1997
07:30 Posters continued
08:30 Wind erosion control (agroforestry, residues, tillage, wind barriers,
soil stabilizers, etc.)
Socioeconomic barriers
12:00 Buffet lunch
13:30 Workshop planning session to develop strategies for coping with wind
erosion (research, training, technology transfer, policy, etc.)
15:30 Closing session: conclusions and recommendations

Possible post symposium training workshop on the USDA Wind Erosion
Prediction System (WEPS).

Possible field trips/facility tours include:
1. Agroforestry
2. Konza Prairie
3. Tuttle Creek spillway canyon
4. Research activities in Throckmorton Plant Science Center
(environmental physics, agronomy, agroforestry, GIS, GPS, etc.)
5. Wind erosion control methods at local field sites
6. Grain Marketing and Production and Research Center
7. Plant Materials Center operated by the Natural Resources Conservation
Service.
8. American Institute of Baking

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Intent to Participate Form

Wind Erosion: An International Symposium/Workshop
3-5 June 1997 - Manhattan, Kansas, USA

Title: __________

Family Name: ___________________________

First Name: ____________________________

Organization: _________________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Phone: _____________________________________

Fax: _______________________________________

E-Mail: _____________________________________

I plan to attend the Symposium/Workshop yes( ) no( )

I propose a contribution oral presentation( ) poster( )

For additional information, please return this form (e-mail preferred)
before 30 September 1996. Abstract will be due by 31 December 1996.

E-Mail: sym@weru.ksu.edu
FAX: USA 913-532-6528
Phone: USA 913-532-6495
Postal Address: USDA-ARS, NPA
Wind Erosion Research Unit
Throckmorton Hall
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506
USA
World Wide Web URL: http://www.weru.ksu.edu/

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