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The Sistan region in Southeastern Iran is one of the world's most sensitive areas when it comes to sandstorms and wind erosion. One of the most influential factors in interpreting sandstorms is sand drift potential (DP), which is directly related to wind speed. Accurately, monitoring this phenomenon is still being determined, considering various temporal scales. Therefore, the main aim of this research is to analyze the trend of DP on monthly and annual scales. Our results showed that monthly variations of DP reached the highest and lowest values in July (609 VU) and January (47 VU), respectively. Blowing sand predominantly moved southeast, and the directional index fluctuated from 0.88 to 0.94. The annual DP was measured equal to 2700 VU, signifying a relatively high value when compared to other arid regions worldwide. The trend analysis results obtained from the Mann–Kendall test revealed both positive trends during the period 1987–2001 and negative ones from 2002 to 2016). However, the positive trend was found statistically insignificant. Furthermore, Sen's slope test results demonstrated that a negative trend could be observed with a steeper slope during July, September, and August, while a positive trend could be observed with a steeper pitch during November, December, and June. We recommend that land managers and stakeholders involved in controlling blowing sand using biological and physical methods should consider these trends in the Sistan region. Implementing nature-based solutions or control strategies should focus on these temporal sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, the statistical data of eleven years'' wind speed measurements of the capital of Iran, Tehran, are used to find out the wind energy potential. Also, other wind characteristics with the help of two methods of meteorological and Weibull are assessed to evaluate of which at a height of 10m above ground level and in open area. For this purpose, a long term data source, consisting of eleven years (1995–2005) of three-hour period measured mean wind data, was adopted and analyzed. Based on these data, it was indicated that the numerical values of the shape and scale parameters for Tehran varied over a wide range. The yearly values of k (dimensionless Weibull shape parameter), ranged from 1.91 to 2.26 with a mean value of 2.02, while those of c (Weibull scale parameter), were in the range of 4.38–5.1 with a mean value of 4.81. Corresponding values for monthly data of whole year were found to be within the range 1.72–2.68 and 4.09–5.67, respectively related to k and c Weibull parameters. Results revealed that the highest and the lowest wind power potential are in April and August, respectively. It was also concluded that the site studied is not suitable for electric wind application in a large-scale. It was found that the wind potential of the region can be adequate for non-grid connected electrical and mechanical applications, such as wind generators for local consumption, battery charging, and water pumping. In wind direction evaluation, it was found that the most probable wind direction for the eleven-year period is on 180°, i.e. west winds. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]