Financial appraisal of date-frond mat fence systems for wind erosion control and sand dune stabilization in the arid region of the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

A discounted cash flow model was employed to assess the viability of four wind barrier systems. The systems were utilized for wind erosion control and sand dune stabilization in the Al-Ain region of the United Arab Emirates. These systems consisted of four densities of date-frond mat fences erected in the form of checker board grids between rows of two local tree species:Prosopis spicigeraandAcacia tortilis. Analysis of cost estimated was based on the annual equivalent value of costs for each system. The economic life of the systems varied as a function of the time needed for the different trees in the different systems to reach the self-support stage. Results indicated that the systems’ ranking according to the minimal costs varied among the different tree types and the number of fences; but there was a general decrease in cost with increased fence density using the same tree, and this was due mainly to the effect of the fence on reducing the cost of tree development and maintenance as a result of reducing accumulated eroded sand. The minimal cost was recorded in D-10 treatment (seven fences) usingProsopis spicigera.