Strategies Approach to Control Wind Erosion in the Sistan Sand Transport Corridors

Water scarcity and wind erosion are always the two main challenges of Sistan Plain in Eastern Iran. For more than half a century, research and sand fixation programs have been done to stabilize the soil and control sand dunes in this area, but the challenge of dust and sand transport still causes many economic and social problems. Calculation of erosive wind energy based on sand drift potential (DP) using Fryberger and Dean method showed that erosive winds have very high energy environment (DP = 2513 v.u) at Zabol and Zahak climatological stations. Whereas the relationship between wind power and vegetation follows the hysteresis model, the maintenance of sediments by vegetation at high wind energies is not possible or it is difficult. In fact, vegetation can hold sand up to a wind power threshold. Accordingly, the success of stabilizing sediments is not possible into the four erosive corridors (Gorgori-Puzzak, Niyatak, Jazinak and Tasoki-Rig Chah), and no cost should be incurred in this regard. In addition, urbanization and development of infrastructure into corridors should not be done or should be removed. The stabilization approach in the Sistan plain should be centralized on land sensitive area in the Hamoun ephemeral lakes.