Numerical Simulation of Wind and Sand Resistance in Three Typical Shrubs

The sand-laden airflow fields surrounding Artemisia desertorum Spreng., Reaumuria soongorica, and Hedysarum scoparium were investigated. The study focuses on a configuration of double rows with staggered shrub distribution. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were employed to model the airflow. The resulting flow field was categorized into five distinct regions. The shelter distances downwind of the shrubs were observed to be 7 H, 6 H, and 6 H for A. desertorum, R. soongorica, and H. scoparium, respectively. The corresponding shelter widths were measured as 3 m, 3 m, and 8 m, respectively. The three kinds of shrubs all formed vortices behind the shrubs. Three shrub species demonstrated distinct wind shelter efficiency ranges: A. desertorum (0.5–4 H), R. soongorica (0.5–3 H), and H. scoparium (0.5–2 H). Optimal shelter effects were observed in different vertical layers: R. soongorica in the low (0–0.2 m), A. desertorum in the medium (0.2–0.7 m), and H. scoparium in the high (0.7–2.2 m) altitude layers. Overall, H. scoparium exhibited the highest sand resistance, followed by A. desertorum Spreng, with R. soongorica demonstrating the least resistance. This study offers theoretical insights for mitigating aeolian environmental degradation, particularly in safeguarding energy and transportation infrastructure in desert regions and promoting sustainable agricultural practices in arid areas.