Barker, CharlesMukwada, GeofreyMahasa, Pululu Sexton2016-03-012016-03-012015-07http://hdl.handle.net/11660/2360English: Wind erosion is identified as one of the most problematic environmental and social-economic problems in the Free State province. The development and intensification of soil wind erosion are influenced by the factors of such as climate, terrain, soil and vegetation characteristics, etc. In this study of the Free State province, Geographical Information Systems GIS was utilised to determine vulnerability of soils to wind erosion using comparative and quantitative methods. The results showed that the western part of the region is highly susceptible to wind erosion. The central part is moderately affected while the eastern part is least affected by wind erosion. Wind erosion is further enhanced by sandy soil types, soil particle size, sparsely distributed vegetation and low soil moisture content in this part of the study area. The present situation of soil and wind erosion is the result of concurrent effects of climate, vegetation cover and surface soil properties. Wind erosion could be manageable with appropriate farming practices.Afrikaans: Wind erosie word geïdefiseerd as die een van die mees problematiese omgewings en sosiale-ekonomiese problem in die Vrystaat provisie. Die ontwikkeling, vordering en intensivisëring van grond en wind erosie word beïnvloed deur faktore soos klimaat, terrein, grond en plantegroei eienskappe ens. Vir die studie in die Vrystaat provinsie sal Geografiese Inligtings stelsels gebruik word om die blootstelling van grond tot wind erosie te bepaal met behulp van vergelykende en kwantitatiewe metodes. Die resultate bewys dat die westelike gedeeeltes van die streek hoogs vatbaar is vir wind erosie. Die sentrale gedeeltes is slegs matig vatbaar, terwyl die oostelike gedeelte die minste vatbaar is vir wind erosie. In die studie area word wind erosie ook bevorder deur sanderige grondtipes, grootte van die grond deeltjies, skaars verspreiding van plantegroei en lae grond vog inhoud. Die huidige situasie van grond en wind erosie is die resultaat van voortdurende klimaatsomstandighede, plantegroei en oppervlakte grond eienskappe. Wind erosie kan bestuur word deur toepaslike boerdery praktyke.enErodibilityFarming practicesGISLand degradationDissertation (M.Sc. (Geography))--University of the Free State, 2015Wind erosion -- South Africa -- Free StateSoils -- Environmental aspectsDissertationUniversity of the Free State