Climate change and land use are altering the landscape of the U.S. Great Plains, producing increases in windblown dust. These increases are investigated by combining coarse mode aerosol observations from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor in addition to the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) and Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) aerosol monitoring networks. Increasing trends of up to 5%/year in MODIS aerosol optical depth for dust observations are observed throughout the Great Plains (2000–2018). Cropland coverage has increased 5–10% over the majority of the Great Plains (2008–2018), and positive monthly trends in IMPROVE (1988–2018) and AERONET (1995–2018) coarse mode 90th percentile observations coincide with planting and harvesting seasons of predominant crops. Presently, results suggest increased dust due to agricultural expansion is negatively influencing human health and visibility in the Great Plains. Furthermore, results foreshadow a future where desertification becomes an increasing risk in the Great Plains.

中文翻译：

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农业快速扩张对大平原的沙尘影响

气候变化和土地利用正在改变美国大平原地区的景观，产生了被风吹起的灰尘。通过将中分辨率成像光谱仪（MODIS）传感器的粗模式气溶胶观测结果与气溶胶机器人网络（AERONET）和受保护视觉环境机构间监测（IMPROVE）气溶胶监测网络相结合，对这些增加进行了研究。在整个大平原（2000-2018年），观测到的用于尘埃观测的MODIS气溶胶光学厚度的增长趋势高达每年5％。在大平原的大多数地区（2008-2018年），耕地覆盖率增加了5-10％，IMPROVE（1988-2018年）和AERONET（1995-2018年）的粗模式月度趋势呈正向变化，第90个百分位数的观测值与播种和收获季节相吻合主要农作物。目前，结果表明，由于农业扩张而增加的粉尘对大平原的人类健康和能见度产生了负面影响。此外，结果预示着未来的发展，沙漠化将成为大平原地区日益增加的风险。