Intro
Contents
Abbreviations
List of Figures
List of Tables
List of Plates
1 Introduction
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Review of Literature
1.2.1 Desertification
1.2.2 Land Degradation
1.2.3 Aeolian Desertification
1.3 Aeolian Desertification: Processes and Impacts
1.4 Quantifying Aeolian Desertification
1.5 Mitigation Strategies
1.5.1 Aeolian Process
1.6 Geo-environment
1.7 Remote Sensing and GIS
1.7.1 Remote Sensing Techniques for Aeolian Desertification
1.7.2 GIS Applications for Aeolian Desertification
1.8 Conclusion
References

2 Land Degradation and Desertification
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Land Degradation
2.2.1 Causes of Land Degradation
2.2.2 Consequences of Land Degradation
2.3 Desertification
2.3.1 Causes of Desertification
2.3.2 Effects of Desertification
2.4 Land Degradation Leads to Desertification
2.5 Semi-arid Regions of Andhra Pradesh
2.6 Selection of the Study Area
2.6.1 Selection of the District
2.7 Selection of the Study Area Boundary for Research
2.8 Land Degradation and Desertification in the Semi-arid Region of Anantapur
2.9 Geo-environment
2.9.1 Geology

2.9.2 Geomorphology
2.9.3 Soils
2.9.4 Slope
2.9.5 Hill Shade
2.9.6 Lineaments
2.9.7 Drainage or Hydrology
2.10 Atmospheric Conditions
2.10.1 Climate
2.10.2 Air Temperature
2.10.3 Relative Humidity (RH)
2.10.4 Mean Atmospheric Pressure and Vapor Pressure
2.10.5 Cloudiness
2.10.6 Sunshine
2.10.7 Wind Speeds
2.10.8 Rainfall
2.11 Human Factors
2.12 Land Use Land Cover Types
2.13 Cropping Pattern
2.14 Population Profile
2.15 Conclusion
References
3 Process of Aeolian Action
3.1 Introduction

3.2 Suspension, Saltation, and Surface Creep in Aeolian Process
3.2.1 Suspension
3.2.2 Saltation
3.2.3 Surface Creep
3.3 Wind Direction and Speeds in the Study Area
3.4 Sand Dune Formation
3.5 Ripple Marks
3.5.1 Symmetrical Ripple Marks
3.5.2 Asymmetrical Ripple Marks
3.5.3 Unidirectional Asymmetrical Ripple Marks in the Study Area
3.6 Sand Dunes Present in the Study Area
3.6.1 Barchan Dunes
3.6.2 Parabolic Dunes
3.6.3 Nebkha or Coppice Dunes
3.7 Impact of Aeolian Weathering in Semi-arid Lands
3.8 Conclusion
References

4 Surface Micromorphology of Aeolian Sand Grains
4.1 Introduction
4.2 SEM and EDAX Studies for Visual Disaster of Aeolian Desertification
4.3 SEM and EDAX Analytical Procedure
4.3.1 Sample Preparation
4.3.2 SEM Imaging
4.3.3 EDAX Analysis
4.3.4 Interpretation and Analysis
4.3.5 Reporting
4.4 Sand Sample Collection
4.4.1 SEM/EDAX Analysis for Sand Samples
4.5 Image Snapper for SEM
4.6 EDAX
4.7 Micromorphology of Sand Grains (SEM/EDAX)
4.7.1 SEM Analysis of Sand Grains
4.7.2 Elemental Analysis for Sand Grains (EDAX)
4.8 Conclusion
References