Wind tunnel simulation of impact of gravel coverage on soil erosion in arid farmland

In view of the serious impact of wind erosion for arid farmland in the northen foot of Yinshan Mountain of China, wind erosion simulation was made in arid farmland surface by laying gravel in different coverage and particle size. In order to providing technical basis for taking reasonable wind erosion preventing measures, it was explored for the effect on inhibition of gravel coverage and particle size on farmland soil wind erosion. Arid farmland soil erosion test was made in the 6 kinds of net wind and sand-driving wind with different gravel size and coverage. Whether net wind or sand-driving wind, it is showed that the anti-wind erosion efficiency of arid farmland will be improved by increasing gravel coverage. When the gravel coverage is exceeding 28%, it will have less effect on anti-wind erosion to increase coverage. In the same coverage, when the gravel size is increased, sediment discharge and anti-wind erosion efficiency will change slightly. Tillage farmland laid gravel can obtain good effect on not only preventing erosion, but also farming. The method is low-cost, simple and feasible. And this method is suitable for northern foot of Yinshan Mountain region climate characteristic, and is an effective way for arid farmland soil erosion prevention.