Wind is recognized as a major contributing factor to soil erosion in arid and semi-arid regions. In these environments, sparse vegetation and fragile soils make the land highly susceptible to wind-driven erosion. Wind can easily transport loose soil particles, intensifying erosion processes. The presence of a gravel layer on the surface of bare, unvegetated soils can significantly influence the severity of wind erosion. This study aimed to investigate certain soil characteristics in the eastern region of Isfahan that affect soil susceptibility to wind erosion. To achieve this, nine different geomorphological surfaces were selected: young alluvial fan, relatively mature alluvial fan, mature alluvial fan, gypsum mine, piedmont plain, sand and gravel mine, agricultural land, playa, and alluvial plain. From each surface, three soil samples were collected from the top 0–7 centimeters. The experiments were designed as a factorial trial within a completely randomized design, incorporating three factors: soil treatment, wind speed, and the presence of gravel. The physicochemical properties of the soil samples were analyzed. Results indicated that the mature alluvial fan had the highest gravel content (75%), while the playa had the lowest (3%). These findings underscore the critical role of gravel cover in mitigating wind erosion intensity.
