## 3 Results and Discussion  
Sensitivity maps for each factor were produced by using the above-described relationship between the rate of wind erosion and the contributing factors (Figures 5-7). These maps showed the spatial distribution of sensitivity of the individual factors contributing to wind erosion. After that, a synthesis map of the vulnerability of the entire research area to wind erosion was obtained (Figure 8). Figure 4: An overview of the applied methodological framework. Figure 5: Sensitivity of the climate factor. The map of soil sensitivity (Figure 6) to wind erosion clearly shows a generally low erodibility for the whole research area. Low soil vulnerability (high resistance) to wind erosion processes depends on the soil structure (fine silty loam and sandy loam) being mainly composed of chemozems [39]. This soil was characterized by a high content of organic matter and a favorable structure [40]. Slightly higher erodibility occurs in the far north, as a result of anthropogenic impact on soils with a lower content of organic matter [41]. The vegetation cover is a key factor for protecting the soil from wind erosion [42]. The vegetation cover sensitivity map of AP Vojvodina indicates the highest sensitivity in wind-exposed areas without any vegetation (Figure 7). Throughout March, in a large number of agricultural areas, the soil is unprotected, with a complete lack of vegetation (preparation of soil for sowing). Generally, higher wind velocity results in an increased sensitivity to wind erosion. The map of the climate factor sensitivity to wind erosion shows high sensitivity in the south-eastern and north-eastern parts of AP Vojvodina, as expected, due to the higher wind velocity in that part of the research area (Figure 5). The results of wind erosion vulnerability for the whole research area were divided into categories, including high, medium, and low vulnerability (Table 1) [19]. The results for the area are presented in Figure 7.  
Figure 6: Sensitivity of the soil. Figure 7: Sensitivity of the vegetation cover. After overlapping the individual maps of each contributing factor, based on CORINE Land Cover, an 8.5% share of the total research area was excluded as surfaces irrelevant for wind erosion. Areas with a sensitivity value higher than 0.4 are considered hazardous, and this sensitivity category occupied approximately 60.41% of the research area, while the medium sensitivity category accounted for around 36% of the research area. Similar results were reported by [PERSON] et al. [43], who also showed that over 85% of the area in the AP Vojvodina was either disturbed or very disturbed (fragile) soils. In AP Vojvodina, more than 75% of the area is used for agriculture [44]. Furthermore, there is insufficient forest vegetation cover in the form of protective forests and protective forest belts (in AP Vojvodina the forest cover amounts to approximately 6%). Particularly in March, agricultural areas are prepared for sowing and left without any vegetation. Given that vegetation plays an important role in the protection of soils, a large part of the agricultural area becomes very vulnerable. Similar results on the wind erosion of agricultural areas without vegetation in spring months were reported by [PERSON] et al. [19]. When unfavorable climate (wind velocity) was combined with soil characteristics of the northern and southeastern parts, these two regions of the research area emerged as the most vulnerable to wind erosion (Figure 8). In the south-eastern area of AP Vojvodina, we found the most extensive climate conditions, with the highest mean wind velocity and number of days with stormy winds (with speeds of above 18.9 m s\({}^{-1}\)). The potential vulnerability to wind erosion in the northern area is due to slightly worse physical and chemical characteristics of the soil.