AERODYNAMIC SHELTERING EFFECTS OF VEGETATIVE ARRAYS ON WIND EROSION - A NUMERICAL APPROACH

This study investigates the aerodynamic protection of soil by various arrangements of plants from wind erosion. Theories of free turbulent flows, airflow momentum and vegetative characteristics are incorporated into the construction of an environmental model of vegetative protection from wind erosion. Superposition principles are applied to describe wind force-reducing effects from areas with regular, alternate, clumped and random distributions of plants. Heterogeneous longitudinal and transverse spacings are also evaluated to compare the effect of wind shear near the ground. The results of this study show that: (1) an alternate distribution; (2) evenly spaced trees along a row; and (3) evenly spaced tree rows approaching the windward side provide the best protection from wind-force impacts. The patchy pattern is less effective than the sparse ones; the effectiveness of soil protection under a random arrangement of trees is estimated to lie somewhere between alternate and regular patterns. The overall regression model which incorporates basal area index, foliage profile index and tree height index, is established. 1990.

AERODYNAMIC SHELTERING EFFECTS OF VEGETATIVE ARRAYS ON WIND EROSION - A NUMERICAL APPROACH Academic Article