The effect of sand mulch on runoff and erosion control of the catchment surface

Due to population growth, global warming, changing precipitation patterns, and decreasing precipitation, water and soil are two of the most important human issues. Water and soil resources management in arid and semi-arid regions is one of the methods that can solve water and soil issues. Covering the soil surface with permeable natural materials can reduce water and wind erosion and evaporation from the soil surface and increase soil moisture storage. In this study, the effect of sand cover on runoff and soil erosion was investigated. The results showed that the sand cover reduces runoff from 5.14 lit/m2 to 4.24 lit/m2 and reduces erosion, from 97.4 gr/m2 to 9.37 gr/m2 during the census period (2 years). The results indicated that the sand cover reduces soil erosion and degradation due to environmental and physical factors such as temperature, wind, and raindrops. In addition, sand cover reduces evaporation and runoff, increases moisture, and more durability in the soil, which is very important in water and soil management.