Modeling and Quantification of the Protective Effect of Shelterbelts Against Wind Erosion in Vineyards of Mendoza, Argentina
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Wind erosion is a critical soil degradation process affecting 77% of Mendoza, Argentina. This study quantifies the 'shelter effect' of forest belts in San Rafael vineyards using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Employing the DPMFoam solver in OpenFOAM, a two-phase air-sediment flow was modeled within a 3D domain at a 1:100 scale. The simulation utilized a coupled Euler-Lagrange approach, solving RANS equations with the k-ϵ turbulence model to track particle transport (density: 2600 kg/m³). Two scenarios were evaluated under a constant wind speed of 10 m/s: an unprotected vineyard and one shielded by a triple-row forest barrier with 28.26% optical porosity. By maintaining Stokes Number (Stk) similarity, the model ensured a realistic representation of particle inertia. Results indicate that shelterbelts create a significant leeward velocity reduction zone, facilitating sediment deposition and retaining 4.95% of total particles. In contrast, retention in the unprotected scenario was negligible. These findings validate CFD as a robust tool for agroforestry design and confirm that triple-row shelterbelts are an effective strategy for soil conservation in vulnerable viticultural regions.
Authors: Rodolfo Dematte, Josefina Huespe
Institution: National Technological University
Language: English
Subfield: Earth-Surface Processes
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDGs: Life on land, Climate action
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7208733995