Sonic anemometry and sediment traps to evaluate the effectiveness of windbreaks in preventing wind erosion

Abstract

The present work analyzes the effectiveness of windbreaks against wind erosion through the study of streamline patterns and turbulent flow by means of sonic anemometry and sediment traps. To this end, windbreaks composed of plastic meshes (7.5 m long and 0.7 m tall) were used. Windbreaks are a good means to reduce wind erosion, as they produce a positive effect on the characteristics of air currents that are related to wind erosion processes. Due to their ease of installation and dismantling, plastic meshes are widely used in areas where they are not required permanently. In our study, the use of a mesh of 13 × 30 threads cm

Interactive effects of wind speed, vegetation coverage and soil moisture in controlling wind erosion in a temperate desert steppe, Inner Mongolia of China

“…In this study, we performed in situ experiments with an orthogonal design to construct the mathematical model of wind erosion, from which the standardized regression coefficients of the main effects of the influencing factors on wind erosion were obtained in the following order: wind speed>vegetation coverage>soil moisture. The standardized regression coefficient of the main effect of wind speed was positive, while those of soil moisture and vegetation coverage were negative, indicating that increases in vegetation coverage and soil moisture can reduce wind erosion and that the greater the wind speed is, the more severe the wind erosion is (López et al, 2017). This finding also indicates that wind is a natural driving force of the formation and development of soil erosion, and wind speed initiates wind erosion.…”

A geographic information system‐based land use impact model to map areas with risk for land degradation: Wind erosion as an example

“…Orchard land use will convert to the abandoned orchard if no management strategy implements to control wind erosion and movement of sand dunes to this land use. There are some practical options for preventing or reducing wind erosion, and some options for treating already eroding surfaces, where establishing and maintaining permanent vegetative cover (Musick & Gillette, ) and creating windbreaks (López, Valera, Molina‐Aiz, Lozano, & Asensio, ) work well in most areas affected by wind erosion. Few years ago, converting parts of the orchard land to the abandoned orchard also led to a significant decreasing in annual production of pistachio.…”

Soil wind erosion characterization in south-eastern Spain using traditional methods in front of an innovative type of dust collector

“…Plant cover acts like a windbreak, forcing air to flow through it more slowly and faster over the top (Molina-Aiz et al, 2006). The intensity of wind erosion can change the inherent properties of soils and vegetation cover (Li et al, 2004;López et al, 2017).…”