## 1 Introduction
Understanding and measuring wind erosion is essential for gaining insights into its mechanisms, assessing its environmental impact, predicting its occurrence, and evaluating conservation practices [4]. Quantifying soil loss due to wind erosion requires sophisticated methods that integrate field observations, remote-sensing data, and computational algorithms [4; 23]. Techniques like the Revised Wind Erosion Equation (RWEQ) and remote-sensing technology allow researchers to assess erosion rates, sediment transport, and deposition patterns at various spatial and temporal scales [23; 24; 25]. Accurate quantitative estimation of soil loss is crucial for accurate land management decisions, prioritizing conservation efforts, and assessing erosion control measures [26]. Understanding the qualitative impacts of wind erosion is equally important. Wind erosion selectively removes finer soil particles, organic matter, and nutrients, altering soil properties and fertility [27]. This loss compromises soil quality by reducing its water-holding capacity, nutrient retention, and overall productivity [28]. Moreover, falling dust plays a pivotal role in transferring nutrients and contaminants across regions, shaping ecosystem dynamics and human health [29; 30]. Recognizing the global significance of soil erosion and dust deposition, international organizations like the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) have established critical limits and standards to guide soil conservation efforts [31]. These standards set thresholds for soil erosion rates, soil organic carbon content, and air quality parameters to safeguard soil quality and ecosystem integrity [32]. Compliance with these internationally permissible critical limits is essential for maintaining sustainable land-use practices and mitigating the adverse effects of soil loss on ecosystems and human well-being. Managing wind erosion of surface soils and the resulting dust generation in KSA drylands presents a significant challenge due to the complex interactions among various driving forces (e.g., economics and policy), pressures (e.g., weather, climate, fire, and land use), and ecosystem states (e.g., topography, vegetation, and soil conditions), which complicate effective mitigation efforts [27]. Effective mitigation of soil loss due to wind erosion and falling dust requires the implementation of several soil conservation strategies, such as afforestation, contour plowing, cover cropping, and windbreak establishment. These strategies stabilize soil surfaces, enhance soil structure, and promote vegetation cover [33; 34]. Collaboration among policymakers, land managers, researchers, and local communities is crucial for addressing the root causes of erosion and fostering sustainable land management practices in KSA. The objective of this study was to evaluate soil loss resulting from wind erosion and dust deposition in the Al-Baha region of Saudi Arabia and explore its implications for sustainable soil management. By quantifying the extent of these processes and their impact on soil quality, the study aims to develop targeted strategies to mitigate soil loss. Additionally, the research seeks to link these findings with global environmental frameworks, providing actionable insights to enhance soil conservation efforts on a regional and global scale. The novelty of this work lies in its comprehensive evaluation of the dual impact of wind erosion and dust deposition on soil quality, with a specific focus on sustainable land management practices. Additionally, this study contributes to the field by offering new insights into how these findings can support international compliance with environmental standards and guide global sustainable agriculture policies, an area that has not been extensively covered in previous studies. Specifically, the research offers new insights into mitigating the negative effects of soil loss, with practical implications for policy development and global sustainable agriculture initiatives.