Mechanized wheat square sand barrier ecological protection system and construction method

Abstract

The invention discloses a mechanized wheat straw square sand barrier ecological protection system and a construction method. Through the mechanical operation chain of "unmanned aerial vehicle transfer + track type mechanical grass pressing", the construction efficiency is significantly improved. The standardization of the prefabricated grass curtain is adopted, the grass strip spacing is uniform, the overall toughness is good, the wheat straw consumption can be reduced, and the damage rate in the hoisting and pressing process is reduced. The formed "grass square sand barrier + drought-resistant sand-fixing plant" double protection system realizes the sustainable transformation from short-term engineering sand fixation to long-term ecological restoration. The grass square provides a windproof, moisture-proof and water-collecting microenvironment for the Haloxylon persicum seedlings, so that the survival rate is increased to more than 85%. After the Haloxylon persicum and other plants grow, the developed root system can long-term fix sand and improve the soil, and a stable desert ecological community is formed. The method effectively promotes the vegetation restoration and biodiversity improvement of the sandy land, and has an important role in curbing land desertification and improving the regional ecological environment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention specifically relates to a mechanized straw checkerboard sand barrier ecological protection system and construction method, belonging to the field of desert control technology. Background Technology

[0002] Land desertification is one of the most serious ecological and environmental problems in the world. my country has the largest desertification area and the heaviest task of combating desertification in the world.

[0003] Since its invention in the 1950s, straw checkerboard sand barriers have become the most widely used technology in my country's desertification control projects due to their advantages such as low cost, readily available materials, and significant effects. However, traditional methods have long relied on manual laying, which has problems such as high labor intensity, low efficiency, unstable quality, and dangers in operating on steep sand dunes, making it difficult to meet the needs of large-scale desertification control. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the present invention aims to provide a mechanized straw checkerboard sand barrier ecological protection system, as well as its construction method and equipment.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A mechanized construction method for ecological restoration of straw checkerboard sand barriers includes the following steps:

[0007] S1. Divide the grid lines: Draw a baseline along the dune terrain. Use 1×1m grids for mobile dunes and 1.5×1.5m grids for semi-fixed dunes. Control the grid size deviation within ±5cm.

[0008] The main sand barrier strip is perpendicular to the prevailing wind direction. The marking tool draws a 3-5cm deep groove on the sand surface, and positioning stakes are set every 50m to calibrate the alignment.

[0009] S2. Drone transfer and material preparation: Drones with flexible clamps are used to lift straw curtains that are 80-100cm wide and 2-3cm thick. The drones fly at a height of 2-3m above the sand surface and transfer the straw curtains to the grid work points according to the planned route.

[0010] S3, Tracked Long Side Grass Pressing: The tracked long side grass pressing machine moves at a constant speed of 2-3 km / h along the long side baseline, pressing the middle of the straw curtain vertically into the sand layer 15-20 cm, with the straw exposed 20-30 cm above the sand surface, thus completing the formation of the grid long side sand barrier.

[0011] S4. Hand-held short-side straw pressing: A hand-held narrow-wheel straw pressing machine is used to press and shape the straw along the short side line. The gap at the intersection of the long and short sides of the straw is ≤1cm. The intersection is reinforced with 5~8cm of sand to form a complete closed grid.

[0012] S5. Manual patching and repair: Manually patch and press straw mats on steep sand dunes and mechanical blind spots at the corners of valleys, controlling the pressing depth to 15-20cm and the exposed height to 20-30cm, and straighten up fallen and loose sand barriers.

[0013] S6. Planting of sand-fixing plants: Dig a 30×30×30cm planting hole in the center of each straw square, lay 5cm of moist fine sand at the bottom of the hole, select 2-3 year old Haloxylon ammodendron seedlings for vertical planting, and plant them at a depth 2-3cm higher than the rootstock. Backfill and compact in layers.

[0014] S7. Sand barrier and vegetation maintenance: Regularly inspect and repair damaged and lodged straw, cover the grid with straw to retain moisture during the dry season, clear weeds monthly, and replant wilted seedlings in a timely manner.

[0015] In step S2 above, wheat straw can be replaced with rice straw or reeds.

[0016] In step S6 above, select seedlings with a height ≥80cm, ground diameter ≥0.8cm, and intact root system free from pests and diseases. The planting time is in spring (March-April) or autumn (September-October).

[0017] The aforementioned straw mats are woven from straw with a length of 60-80cm, a moisture content of ≤15%, and free from mold. After weaving, the stack height is ≤1.5m and the mats are covered with geotextile for protection.

[0018] An ecological restoration device for straw checkerboard sand barriers used in the above construction method includes:

[0019] Grid marking device, straw mat weaving machine, industrial-grade transport drone, tracked long-side straw pressing machine, hand-held narrow-wheel straw pressing machine, manual straw pressing tools;

[0020] The grid marking device is used to set up baselines and plan grids along the dune terrain.

[0021] The straw curtain weaving machine is used to weave straw into straw curtains;

[0022] The drone has a payload of ≥5kg, a flight time of ≥30min, and is equipped with a flexible material clamp.

[0023] The tracked long-side straw presser is equipped with adjustable straw pressing rollers, which can press the straw mat into the sand layer by 15-20cm.

[0024] The narrow wheel spacing of the hand-held narrow wheel grass press is adapted to the short sides of the grid, and is used to close the grid intersections.

[0025] A mechanized construction method for forming a double-layer sand-fixing ecological protection system, which is made by the above construction method, includes a grid-like straw checkerboard sand barrier and Haloxylon ammodendron sand-fixing vegetation planted in the center of the checkerboard.

[0026] The straw mats are pressed into the sand layer by 15-20cm and exposed by 20-30cm. The intersections of the squares are reinforced with sand. The roots of the Haloxylon ammodendron are inserted into the planting holes of the squares to form a double-layer structure of engineering sand barrier and long-term sand fixation by vegetation.

[0027] The advantages of this invention are:

[0028] This invention presents a mechanized straw checkerboard sand barrier ecological protection system. Compared to the traditional purely manual straw checkerboard laying process, this method significantly improves construction efficiency through a mechanized operation chain of "drone transport + tracked mechanical straw pressing." The tracked straw pressing machine is 4-6 times more efficient than manual laying. Drone transport overcomes the obstacles of sand dune terrain, greatly reducing labor costs and material transport time, decreasing manual input by approximately 75%. Simultaneously, the use of factory-prefabricated standardized straw mats with uniform spacing and good overall toughness reduces the amount of straw used and lowers the breakage rate during hoisting and pressing. Comprehensive calculations show that this method reduces direct construction costs by approximately 25%-30% and shortens the construction period by approximately 40%, resulting in significant economic benefits.

[0029] This construction method creates a dual-layer protection system of "straw checkerboard sand barriers + drought-resistant sand-fixing plants," achieving a sustainable transformation from short-term engineering sand fixation to long-term ecological restoration. Initially, the straw checkerboard reduces ground wind speed by 30%-40%, reducing wind erosion by over 80%, rapidly fixing shifting sand and providing a sheltered, moisture-retaining, and water-collecting microenvironment for Haloxylon ammodendron seedlings, increasing their survival rate to over 85%. Once the Haloxylon ammodendron and other plants have established themselves, their extensive root systems can permanently fix sand and improve the soil, gradually replacing the function of the straw checkerboard and forming a stable desert ecological community. This method effectively promotes vegetation restoration and biodiversity enhancement in desertified land, playing a vital role in curbing desertification and improving the regional ecological environment.

[0030] The widespread application of this construction method provides an efficient, economical, and sustainable technical solution for large-scale desertification control in arid and semi-arid regions of my country. It is particularly suitable for key national ecological projects such as desert highways, railway windbreaks and sand-fixing belts, sand hazard prevention for photovoltaic power stations, and ecological restoration on oasis edges. The mechanized and standardized operation mode of this technology reduces the intensity of manual labor and the dangers of working on steep sand dunes, improving the working conditions of desertification control workers. Simultaneously, this method has spurred the development of related industries such as straw mat weaving, drone operation, and special machinery driving, creating new employment opportunities and playing a positive demonstrative and driving role in promoting economic and social development and ecological civilization construction in desert areas. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 This is a process flow diagram.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a diagram of the grid lines and trenches.

[0033] Figure 3 This is a weaving diagram for straw curtains.

[0034] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the preparation of materials for drone transport.

[0035] Figure 5 This is a sketch of the long side of the tracked vehicle.

[0036] Figure 6 This is a diagram of a grass compactor compacting grass.

[0037] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing manual patching and repair.

[0038] Figure 8 This is a picture of Haloxylon ammodendron seedlings being planted.

[0039] Figure 9 Diagram showing the maintenance and management of Haloxylon ammodendron. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0041] Located in the Horqin Sandy Land in southern Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, this project was constructed by Jiangsu Shanshui Environmental Construction Group Co., Ltd. It officially commenced in May 2025 and was fully completed in November 2025. The entire project utilized the straw checkerboard sand barrier ecological restoration construction method of this invention, with mechanized operations as the core. Straw checkerboards were laid according to a standard 1×1m specification, and native sand-fixing plants such as Haloxylon ammodendron were planted simultaneously in the center of each checkerboard, constructing a collaborative protection system of "engineering sand fixation + vegetation restoration".

[0042] The project's actual construction efficiency was five times higher than that of traditional manual laying, with a 100% qualification rate for sand barrier formation and a survival rate of over 90% for sand-fixing plants. After the project was completed, the shifting sand dunes in the area were completely stabilized, wind and sand hazards were effectively curbed, and the surface vegetation coverage increased by 40%, resulting in significant economic and environmental benefits.

[0043] A mechanized construction method for ecological restoration of straw checkerboard sand barriers includes the following steps:

[0044] Step 1: Divide the grid lines, such as... Figure 2 As shown:

[0045] Using a handheld specialized marking tool, a baseline is drawn straight along the dune terrain. For mobile dunes, a 1×1m standard grid is used, while for semi-fixed dunes, a 1.5×1.5m grid can be used. Grid size deviation is strictly controlled within ±5cm. The main sand barrier band must be perpendicular to the prevailing wind direction. First, the main band line is drawn on the windward slope, then the secondary band line on the leeward slope. The marking tool draws grooves 3-5cm deep on the sand surface, ensuring the lines extend smoothly along the terrain without any zigzags or misalignments. Positioning stakes are set every 50 meters for calibration.

[0046] Step 2: Pre-fabricate straw mats, such as... Figure 3 As shown:

[0047] High-quality wheat straw with a length of 60-80cm, free from mold and with a moisture content of ≤15% is selected. After removing impurities and rotten straw, it is woven into a wheat straw mat with a width of 80-100cm and a thickness of 2-3cm using a weaving machine. During weaving, the spacing between the straw strips is controlled to be uniform, without any local sparseness, knots or breaks, to ensure the overall toughness of the wheat straw mat and prevent it from being damaged during hoisting and pressing.

[0048] After weaving, stack the items neatly, with a pile height of ≤1.5m, and cover them with geotextile or shade netting for wind and sand protection.

[0049] Step 3: Use drones to transport and prepare materials, such as Figure 4 As shown:

[0050] Industrial-grade drones with a payload capacity of ≥5kg and a flight endurance of ≥30min are selected. The optimal flight route is planned in advance based on the grid distribution of the work area and the amount of straw needed, avoiding steep sand dunes and areas with strong winds to ensure flight safety. Specialized flexible clamps are used to secure the straw mats during hoisting to prevent scattering or damage. The flight altitude is controlled at 2-3m above the sand surface. Upon arrival at the designated work location, the drone hovers smoothly, and on-site personnel quickly unload the straw mats, arrange them orderly, and provide temporary covering to prevent wind and sand pollution.

[0051] Step 4: Tracked long-side grass compaction, such as... Figure 5 As shown:

[0052] The tracked straw press is used, and it travels at a constant speed along the marked long side main belt line. The travel speed is controlled at 2-3 km / h to avoid the straw from falling over, breaking, or being pressed into the ground too deeply due to excessive speed.

[0053] During operation, the mechanical rollers vertically press the middle of the straw curtain into the sand layer by 15-20cm, ensuring that the straw protrudes 20-30cm above the sand surface. The track of the track must be completely aligned with the main track line, without deviation or under-pressing.

[0054] During the operation, the upright shape of the straw is checked in real time, and the speed of the machine and the depth of compaction are adjusted in a timely manner.

[0055] Step 5: Hand-held short-side straw pressing, such as... Figure 6 As shown:

[0056] A hand-operated narrow-wheel straw press is used. Before operation, the narrow wheels and counterweights are adjusted to ensure that the spacing and depth of the narrow wheels are consistent with the grid. Straw is laid and pressed in sections along the short side, with the depth of the pressed straw controlled at 15-20cm. The height of the straw protruding from the sand surface is maintained at 20-30cm. It is ensured that the straw on the long side and the straw on the short side are tightly connected at the intersection, with gaps ≤1cm, and no looseness or disconnection.

[0057] During the movement, maintain mechanical stability, slow down and make minor adjustments at turns and corners to avoid squeezing or damaging the laid long-side sand barriers. At intersections, an additional 5-8cm of sand can be added for reinforcement to prevent wind erosion and ensure that each square can be completely closed without gaps or deformation.

[0058] Step 6: Manual patching and finishing, such as... Figure 7 As shown:

[0059] For areas inaccessible to tracked and hand-held straw pressing machines, such as steep dune slopes, gully corners, and dune edges, manual hand-held straw pressing tools are used for supplementary laying. During supplementary laying, precise positioning according to the grid specifications is strictly adhered to, with the straw mats vertically pressed into the sand layer 15-20cm, leaving 20-30cm exposed above the sand surface, ensuring a seamless connection with the surrounding straw grids. Simultaneously, all laid sand barriers are thoroughly inspected, and any fallen, loose, or insufficiently exposed straw mats are straightened and pressed down.

[0060] Step 7: Planting sand-fixing plants, such as Figure 8 As shown:

[0061] For sand-fixing plants, select high-quality Haloxylon ammodendron seedlings that are 2-3 years old, ≥80cm tall, ≥0.8cm in diameter, with intact and undamaged root systems, and free from diseases and pests. Planting time should be preferably in spring (March-April) or autumn (September-October), avoiding severe weather such as high temperatures, strong winds, and heavy rain.

[0062] Before planting, dig a 30×30×30cm planting hole in the center of the straw checkerboard grid. Remove stones and coarse sand from the hole, and lay a 5cm layer of moist fine sand at the bottom. Place the Haloxylon ammodendron seedling vertically into the hole, spreading out the roots. Backfill with sand and tamp it down in layers. The planting depth should be 2-3cm higher than the seedling's rootstock to avoid exposing the roots. After planting, backfill with sand in layers and tamp it down thoroughly to ensure close contact between the roots and the sand, improving the seedling's drought resistance and survival rate.

[0063] Step 8, Sand barrier and vegetation maintenance, such as Figure 9 As shown:

[0064] Within one week after the planting of Haloxylon ammodendron, the condition of the sand barriers and the growth status of the Haloxylon ammodendron seedlings should be checked daily. Seedlings with wilted leaves and weak growth should be marked and replanted if necessary.

[0065] Going forward, conduct a comprehensive inspection of the sand barriers monthly, repairing any fallen, damaged, or wind-eroded straw, and reinforcing the base of the straw with sand to ensure that the straw protrudes consistently at a height of 20-30cm above the sand surface, without large-scale wind erosion. Regularly remove weeds growing within the grid to prevent them from competing with the saxaul for water and nutrients. During dry seasons, cover the grid with a 5-8cm thick layer of straw to retain moisture.

[0066] The straw checkerboard sand barrier ecological restoration equipment includes:

[0067] Grid marking device, straw mat weaving machine, industrial-grade transport drone, tracked long-side straw pressing machine, hand-held narrow-wheel straw pressing machine, manual straw pressing tools;

[0068] The grid marking device is used to set up baselines and plan grids along the dune terrain;

[0069] A straw weaving machine is used to weave straw into straw curtains.

[0070] Industrial-grade transport drones with a payload of ≥5kg and a flight time of ≥30min, equipped with flexible material clamps;

[0071] The tracked long-side straw presser is equipped with adjustable straw pressing rollers, which can press the straw mat into the sand layer 15~20cm;

[0072] The narrow wheel spacing of the hand-operated narrow-wheel grass roller is suitable for the short sides of the grid and is used to close the grid intersections.

[0073] The equipment and models used in this embodiment are shown in the table below:

[0074] 1 Industrial drones Load capacity ≥ 5kg, runtime ≥ 30min 2 tower Straw curtain transfer and material preparation 2 Tracked grass roller Custom-made, with pressurized grass rollers 2 tower Pressing grass along the long side of the square grid 3 Hand-held narrow-wheel grass roller Customizable, adjustable narrow wheel pitch 2 tower Short side of the square is used for pressing grass 4 Specialized line drawing tool Handheld, with positioning wheels 4 set Dividing grid lines 5 Straw curtain weaving machine Specialized, adjustable weave width 2 tower Prefabricated standardized straw mats 6 Manual straw pressing tools Handheld, U-shaped 10 Bundle Manual patching and repair of blind spots 7 Total station DJ6 1 tower Grid line positioning and calibration 8 sprinkler 10m³ 1 vehicle Moisturizing or watering seedlings during dry seasons

[0075] The raw materials used in this embodiment are shown in the table below:

[0076] 1 wheat straw Length 60-80cm, free from mold, moisture content ≤15%. kg Straw checkerboard sand barrier main body 2 Haloxylon ammodendron seedlings 2-3 years old, seedling height ≥80cm, ground diameter ≥0.8cm, with complete root system. strain Planting of sand-fixing plants 3 Geotextile / shade net ≥100g / m² m² Temporary covering of straw mat stacks 4 Moist fine sand Particle size ≤ 0.5mm, free of stones and coarse sand. m² Planting hole bottom paving and sand reinforcement 5 straw / reed It can replace wheat straw; it is tough and does not rot. kg Sand barriers in areas with scarce wheat straw resources

[0077] A mechanized construction method for forming a double-layer sand-fixing ecological protection system, which is made by the above construction method, includes a grid-like straw checkerboard sand barrier and Haloxylon ammodendron sand-fixing vegetation planted in the center of the checkerboard.

[0078] The straw mats are pressed into the sand layer by 15-20cm and exposed by 20-30cm. The intersections of the squares are reinforced with sand. The roots of the Haloxylon ammodendron are inserted into the planting holes of the squares to form a double-layer structure of engineering sand barrier and long-term sand fixation by vegetation.

[0079] The straw is placed a certain height above the sand surface. When the wind blows, the straw curtain will reduce the wind speed near the ground to below the speed required for the sand to move, greatly reducing the amount of sand carried by the wind.

[0080] When the wind enters the grid, it creates small vortices. The sand particles carried by the wind settle around the grid. The core area of ​​the grid (the planting area) can form an environment with less wind and less sand. The daytime temperature is 5-10℃ lower than outside, and there is less water evaporation. Dust, withered grass and rotten leaves can easily accumulate in the grass grid. The sand gradually becomes water-retaining and nutrient-rich, providing rooting and growth conditions for drought-resistant and sand-fixing plant seedlings.

[0081] In the early stages, straw checkerboards help to stabilize sand and protect seedlings. As drought-resistant sand-stabilizing plants grow, their roots can extend several meters deep into the ground, enabling them to stabilize sand and improve the soil for a long time, thus achieving ecological restoration.

[0082] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the above embodiments do not limit the present invention in any way, and all technical solutions obtained by equivalent substitution or equivalent transformation fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A mechanized construction method for ecological restoration of straw checkerboard sand barriers, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1. Divide the grid lines: Draw a baseline along the dune terrain. Use 1×1m grids for mobile dunes and 1.5×1.5m grids for semi-fixed dunes. The main sand barrier strip is perpendicular to the prevailing wind direction. The marking tool draws a 3-5cm deep groove on the sand surface, and positioning stakes are set every 50m to calibrate the alignment. S2. Drone transfer and material preparation: Drones with flexible clamps are used to lift straw curtains that are 80-100cm wide and 2-3cm thick. The drones fly at a height of 2-3m above the sand surface and transfer the straw curtains to the grid work points according to the planned route. S3, Tracked Long Side Grass Pressing: The tracked long side grass pressing machine moves at a constant speed of 2-3 km / h along the long side baseline, pressing the middle of the straw curtain vertically into the sand layer 15-20 cm, with the straw exposed 20-30 cm above the sand surface, thus completing the formation of the grid long side sand barrier. S4. Hand-held short-side straw pressing: A hand-held narrow-wheel straw pressing machine is used to press and shape the straw along the short side line. The gap at the intersection of the long and short sides of the straw is ≤1cm. The intersection is reinforced with 5~8cm of sand to form a complete closed grid. S5. Manual patching and finishing: Manually patch and press straw mats on steep sand dunes and corners of valleys where machinery cannot reach, controlling the pressing depth to 15-20cm and the exposed height to 20-30cm. S6. Planting of sand-fixing plants: Dig a 30×30×30cm planting hole in the center of each straw square, lay 5cm of moist fine sand at the bottom of the hole, select 2-3 year old Haloxylon ammodendron seedlings for vertical planting, and plant them at a depth 2-3cm higher than the rootstock. Backfill and compact in layers. S7. Sand barrier and vegetation maintenance: Regularly inspect and repair damaged and lodged straw, cover the grid with straw to retain moisture during the dry season, clear weeds monthly, and replant wilted seedlings in a timely manner.

2. The construction method according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S2, wheat straw can be replaced with rice straw or reeds.

3. The construction method according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S6, the selected Haloxylon ammodendron seedlings should be ≥80cm in height, ≥0.8cm in diameter at ground level, and have intact root systems free from pests and diseases. The planting time is from March to April in spring or from September to October in autumn.

4. The construction method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The straw curtain is woven from straw with a length of 60-80cm, a moisture content of ≤15%, and free from mold.

5. A mechanized construction method for a double-layer sand-fixing ecological protection system, characterized in that, Made by the construction method described in claim 1, it includes a grid-like straw checkerboard sand barrier and Haloxylon ammodendron sand-fixing vegetation planted in the center of the checkerboard; The straw mats are pressed into the sand layer by 15-20cm and exposed by 20-30cm. The intersections of the squares are reinforced with sand. The roots of the Haloxylon ammodendron are inserted into the planting holes of the squares to form a double-layer structure of engineering sand barrier and long-term sand fixation by vegetation.

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