Effect of stones on the sand saltation threshold during natural sand and dust storms in a stony desert in Tsogt-Ovoo in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia

Non-erodible elements such as stones and vegetation are key to controlling wind erosion dust emission in drylands. Stony deserts widely distributed the Gobi Desert, but effect of on have not been well studied, except under artificial conditions. In this study, we evaluated by measuring sand saltation threshold a stony desert Tsogt-Ovoo Mongolia, natural surface conditions during storms. We quantified amount roughness density, determined friction velocity for speed count. Our results showed that increased with density stones. northern part study area, where neither crust nor was observed, 0.000 topographic depression (TD), 0.050 slope (N.SL), 0.160 mountain (N.MT). The mean values were 0.23, 0.41, 0.57 m/s at TD, N.SL, N.MT sites, respectively. southern 0.070–0.320 TD respectively, velocities 0.23 0.45–0.71 m/s, further compared observed simulated using Raupach’s theoretical correction measured values, found worked very simulation desert. This means our stone measurement can be applied numerical model.