1. Structure and functions of shelterbelts
and windbreaks
BY
CH. BHARGAVI
ID- 20200475
MSC 1ST YEAR
2. CONTENTS
Abstract
Introduction
Shelterbelts
Purpose
Characteristics
Choice of species
Windbreaks
purpose
Characteristics
Species
Conclusion
Reference
3. Abstract
As a result of scarce vegetation cover that can alter the movement
of wind, dryland areas are predominantly windy. Harsh winds can
remove moisture from plants, soils and the micro climate. Wind
can also be an agent of soils erosion and land degradation.
Agricultural production systems, local ecology, living conditions,
etc. can often be improved by planting trees as windbreaks and
shelterbelts. Research findings indicated that windbreaks as part
of their ecological role, have contributed to the increase crop
yields.
4. This approach has also a tremendous positive impact on the
wellbeing of wildlife as it will help in giving food, cover and space
to wild animals.
Apart from this, windbreaks can also be a viable source of edible
fruits, honey, firewood, fodder and timber.
Hence, the conservation of remaining vegetation in the environment
and the establishment of windbreaks and shelterbelts will help to
increase agricultural productivity and biodiversity benefits for the
agrarian communities.
Since this and other ecological functions have a paramount
importance, the role of trees as windbreaks and shelterbelts needs to
be further considered and properly understood
5. INTRODUCTION
Based on the nature of components agroforestry systems are classified
into four types:
1. Agri silviculture
2. Silvi pastoral
3. Agro silvipastoral
4. Others
We are now going to study Shelterbelts and windbreaks under agri
silvicurtural system where the basic components are agricultural crops
and trees.
7. The purposes are:
to deflect air currents,
to reduce the velocity of prevailing winds,
to provide general protection to the leeward areas against the
effects of wind erosion,
to protect the leeward areas from the desiccating effects of hot
wind,
to provide food, fodder, timber etc
Carbon sequestration
Increases biodiversity.
10. Density and width : Partially penetrable shelterbelts are best. Shelter-
belts up to 50 m width are considered ideal under Indian conditions.
Height : it effects the distance to which protection will be afforded.
Higher the height greater is the zone of protection. The ratio of height and
width should be roughly 1:10.
Orientation: Orientation of shelter-belts depends on the direction and
velocity of the prevailing winds.
Length: The minimum length of a shelter-belt should be about 25 times
its height
11. Characteristics of tree species used for
shelterbelts:
Fast growing
Wind firm
Drought resistant
Unpalatable to animals
It should not be leafless when protection is needed
It should be economically a multipurpose species.
13. windbreak
Wind-breaks are strips of trees and/or shrubs planted to protect
fields, homes, canals or other areas from wind and blowing soil or
sand.
14. PURPOSE
to protect livestock from cold winds
to protect crops and pastures from hot, drying winds
to reduce/prevent soil erosion
to provide habitat for wildlife
Carbon sequestration
to reduce evaporation from farmlands
to improve the microclimate for growing crops and to shelter
people and livestock,
for fencing and boundary demarcation
15. CHARACTERISTICS
Permeability:
Permeable wind breaks:
It allows some wind to pass through it forming a cushion of slow moving
air on both upwind and downwind sides which deflects the main volume
of wind upwards and prevents it from descending for some distance.
These windbreaks cause less reduction in wind velocity(25 and 75
percent) but gives protection for longer distance.
Species: permeability can be obtaining by carefully selecting trees and
shrub species.
16. Dense wind breaks:
It is used when high level of protection is needed for small
areas.
Dense wind break causes greater reduction in wind speed but
protects for short distance.
Species:
Eucalyptus and casuarina forms dense wind breaks.
17. Orientation:
Wind-breaks planted north-south are a good compromises as they
provide protection from winds coming from the western quarter.
They also give better shading of adjacent crops and pastures than
wind-breaks planted east-west.
Height:
On level ground a windbreak will reduce the speed of wind for
about 25 times the tree height on down windside.
Maximum reduction of wind speed is in the area 5 to 15 times the
tree height away from the wind break.
Example:
Wind break of 20m tall will give protection from 100m on upwind
side to 500m on downwind side.
18.
19. Length: Wind breaks are most effective when they stretch
without major gaps for distances exceeding 12 times the mature
height of the trees.
Number of rows:
Eucalyptus are generally unsuitable as single-row wind-breaks
because of their habit of losing their lower limbs.
The main disadvantage of a single row is that if one tree is lost,
gap is created, which reduces the efficiency of the entire wind
break.
Wind breaks of three to five rows are more effective for most
farm situations and are less affected by gaps caused by mission
20. Tree spacing:
Spacing varies based on protective and productive purposes of wind
break.
For timber yielding trees the height of wind break and intervals can be
increased.
For protecting valuable crops, wind break should be tall and far.
In dry areas plants are widely spaced for reducing competition.
Recommended spacing is 2x3m.
Gaps:
In multi row wind breaks this can be eliminated by angling the gap at
about 45 degrees to the prevailing wind direction.
Alternatively, a few plant, trees or shrubs can be used on either side of
the gate or track to broaden the gap and reduce the funneling effect.
Plant 5- 6 trees at an angle to main belt as wing.
22. Angling sides of the windbreak
Planting short windbreak in front of gap
23. Species
Trees with narrow, vertical growth are ideal for windbreaks.
Eucalyptus,
Cassia,
Prosopis,
Leucaena,
Casuarina,
Acacia,
Grevillea,
Syzygium,
Dalbergia etc.
24. CONCLUSION:
Well established and managed windbreaks and shelterbelts provide
manifold benefits to the efficiency of ecological and ecosystem
services.
However the establishment of windbreaks and shelterbelts in many
instances is not getting much attention for the mere fact that the
growth and development period of trees usually takes time for
immediate benefits. But once established it will have a sustained and
long lasting positive impact on the environment.
25. REFERENCE
Textbook of agroforestry by B.S. Chundawat and S.K.
Gautam(1993), CBS publishers & distributors PVT LTD.
www.unl.edu/nac/windbreak.htm
Argall, J. and G. Chiasson. 1996. Windbreak Technology for Wild
Blueberry Fields. Factsheet A.4.0. New Brunswick Department of
Agriculture and Rural Development. [Online].
www.gnb.ca/0171/10/0171100001-e.asp (Page consulted on
September 15, 2010).
Molla Mekonnen Alemu United Nations Development
Programme International Journal of Ecosystem Ecological
Benefits of Trees as Windbreaks and Shelterbelts p-ISSN: 2165-
8889 e-ISSN: 2165-8919 2016; 6(1): 10-13