A Salt Tolerant Native plants as a Solution for Mobile Sand and Dust in Kuwait

Abstract

In this study, a coastal research site north of Kuwait Bay faces sand encroachment, floods, and wave erosion. The plantation project’s infrastructure was improved by fencing 1.2 km2 with barbed wire. The heavily deteriorated environment has coppice dunes of Nitraria retusa and Lycium shawii around single, double, or triple plants. To manage mobile sand and dust and protect the research centre, 21,500 Nitraria and Lycium were planted and irrigated with brackish water (around 7000 TDS). In order to aerodynamically shift and/or trap mobile aeolian sediments, the vegetation was planted in a V-shape facing the north-westerly wind. A closer gap (about 1m between plants) on the side facing the primary wind and widened toward the inner edges of the gated area controls mobile sand and dust. This projected design stabilizes the soil, protects against floods and wave erosion, enhances flora and animals, and controls aeolian activity. Mobile sand and dust yearly rates in the downwind traps were reduced by 94% and 64.5%, respectively. Native vegetation can control mobile sand and dust, according to this. Such systems can be more efficient with proper design and plant spacing.