Wind Effects On Crop and Pasture Production
Many research trials around the world have suggested that
well designed shelterbelts can actually enhance crop and pasture
production, despite taking land out of production and reducing
yield near belts as a result of direct competition. Commonly,
gains in production occur from 3 or 4 shelterbelt heights
out to about 10 or 15 heights.
Reference: Cleugh, H. (1997), 'Trees
for Shade and Shelter' in Design Principles for Farm Forestry:
A guide to assist farmers to decide where to plant trees and
farm plantations on farms eds. Abel, N. et al, RIRDC, Canberra,
pp.39-52
Competition between windbreak trees and crops for water, light
and nutrients can negatively impact on crop yields up to approximately
2H. Further out, beyond this zone of competition, micro-climatic
conditions become more favourable for crops than in an open
paddock. This can lead to an increase in yield in the zone
from 2H out to 15H. Yield gains commonly offset losses, due
to competition along the edge of the belt and loss of land
taken up by the windbreak. In some cases the response has
been enough to significantly improve overall yields.
The crop response behind shelterbelts is due to a variety
of interacting factors including the direct effect of wind
on plant water use, a reduction in physical damage, ambient
and soil temperature fluctuations, as well aschanges to levels
of CO2 and relative humidity in the air above the crop. Leafy
crops such as potatoes and broadleaf fodder crops may be particularly
susceptible to wind damage. Horticultural crops are often
downgraded due to wind-induced bruising and require good quality
shelter. Young crops planted on sandy soils can be sand-blasted
in strong winds, drastically reducing yields very early in
the growing season.
Effect of Shelterbelts
on Microclimate
Wind Erosion
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