Assignment On Shelterbelt Establishment

Submitted to: Dr. Praveen Kr. Singh Faculty, Rural Management, XISS.

Submitted by: Shahzada Numan Roll no. 08 Sub: Forestry & Wasteland Development RM-I (2012-14)

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CONTENTS:
1. INTRODUCTION 2. FEATURES OF A GOOD SHELTERBELT 3. IDENTIFYING SHELTERBELT LOCATIONS 4. PLANTING SHELTERBELT 5. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF SHELTERBELT 6. CONSIDERATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT OF SHELTERBELT 7. CONCLUSION

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1. INTRODUCTION:
Windbreaks or shelterbelts are single or multiple rows of trees or shrubs in linear configurations. Practice Information This practice can be used in any area where woody plants are suited. The specie, location, layout, and density of the planting depend on the purpose and planned function of the practice. In areas where natural precipitation is too low for establishment of suitable woody species, moisture conservation or supplemental irrigation should be planned. The effectiveness of a windbreak or shelterbelt is dependent on the height of the mature plants. Therefore, this is a long term proposition that may take 20 years to become fully functional. Purpose To reduce soil erosion from wind. To protect plants from wind related damage. To alter the microenvironment for enhancing plant growth. To manage snow deposition. To provide shelter for structures, animals, and people. To enhance or create wildlife habitat. To provide noise screens. To provide visual screens. To improve air quality by reducing and intercepting air borne particulate matter, chemicals and odors. To delineate property and field boundaries. To improve irrigation efficiency. To increase carbon storage in biomass and soils.

The establishment of belts of trees, planted in a rectangular grid pattern within areas of farmland, to act as windbreaks are said to be shelter belt/windbreak establishment.

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CONDITIONS WHERE PRACTICE APPLIES: We apply this practice on any areas where linear plantings of woody plants are desired and suited for controlling wind, noise, and visual resources. General Criteria Applicable To All Purposes Species planted shall be suited for the planned practice purpose(s). We should take into account the specifications sheet for tree and shrub planting guidelines including age, size, handling, viability, storage and quality of the planting stock and permanent or temporary cover. Species planted must be adapted to the soils, climate and site conditions. Where possible choose native species over non-native species. If non-native species are used make sure the species chosen is not invasive or considered noxious. All windbreaks will be oriented as close to perpendicular to the troublesome wind as possible regardless of season or direction. The location, layout and density of the planting will accomplish the purpose and function intended within a 20-year period. Unless otherwise specified, the density of the windbreak shall be between 50 percent and 65 percent and contain a minimum of 1 row of a non-deciduous conifer. Site preparation shall be sufficient for establishment and growth of selected species, not contribute to erosion and be appropriate for the site. Base spacing between individual plants on the needed growing space, plant type and species, accommodation of equipment and desired characteristics of the stem(s), branches and canopy as required for the specific purpose. Allow at least 4 feet extra width for equipment as necessary. Avoid planting trees or shrubs where they will interfere with structures and above or below ground utilities such as power lines, gas and water lines or septic lines. Follow local regulations regarding planting near property lines but trees and shrubs should be at least 20 feet from a property line. Where subsurface drains (tile lines) cross through a planting, sealed conduits will be installed a minimum of 100 feet from rows of large spreading trees and 75 feet from all other trees and shrubs. Avoid planting in areas of contaminated soil including areas affected by concentrated feedlot runoff; divert feedlot runoff away from the planting.

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Avoid creating blind corners at road intersections. Make openings on an angle to reduce the loss of wind protection. Whenever possible locate access roads at the ends of windbreaks beyond where snow drifts form. For all purposes, assess plantings for the potential to cause snow drifting onto public roadways. Appropriate setback distances will be calculated for all plantings on the north and west sides of roadways. Plantings on the south and east sides of roadways will be evaluated for back drifting of snow and creating shade patterns which slow snow and ice melting. Avoid sites that will deposit snow on roadways unless additional plantings are placed upwind to mitigate snow drift problems. Protect the planting from adverse impacts such as livestock damage or fire. If aesthetics is important, use a combination of needle leaf species and broadleaf species with features such as showy flowers, interesting forms and shapes, brilliant fall foliage, persistent colorful fruits or contrasting textures as appropriate. To create visual interest, use a mix of tall trees, small trees and shrubs. Use plant cultivars with desired characteristics. Use curvilinear designs and small group plantings adjacent to interior rows to increase visual sight diversity.

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2. FEATURES OF A GOOD SHELTERBELT: Shelterbelts which are open but without large gaps provide semi-permeable protection and are usually recommended for crops and pastures. Allowing some airflow through the shelterbelt ensures that deflected air is not prone to descending too rapidly causing unwanted turbulence on the leeside of the shelterbelt, providing a greater area of protection. Dense or impermeable shelterbelts can be used to protect small, confined areas such as farm buildings or yards. L-shaped shelterbelts are ideal for areas requiring high protection. Shelterbelts do not need to be a strictly linear shape. Ones that follow the contour of the land or a creek or river line can still offer areas for stock shelter, regardless of changes in the direction of the wind. The height of shelterbelts determines what area of land is to be protected. The area of land protected by the shelterbelt is approximately 20 times the height of the tallest trees in the shelterbelt. Large properties may require numerous of shelterbelts for protection. Generally, longer shelterbelts are more desirable than shorter ones. Short shelterbelts tend to channel wind sideways around them detracting from their effectiveness. It is suggested that a shelterbelts length be approximately 12 times the mature height of its trees, i.e. 240 meters long for a shelterbelt 20 meters high. Linking shelterbelts to other corridors of natural vegetation greatly reduces wind speed when compared to single isolated shelterbelts. Environmental weeds can significantly threaten wildlife by decreasing the habitat value of bush land areas by competing with remnant vegetation. They can also cause problems for agricultural lands. Environmental weeds should be avoided in shelterbelts. The shape and width of shelterbelts determine their effectiveness. An ideal shelterbelt may be one, for instance, whose entire length and height is relatively uniform in providing semipermeable protection. If, however, there are large gaps along the length of the shelterbelt this can lead to jets of wind that can reduce the effectiveness of the shelterbelt. The greatest potential for wildlife habitat is in wide shelterbelts (around 5-7 rows of trees or more) connected to large areas of native bush land. In narrow shelterbelts (around 2-3 rows of trees) gaps are difficult to manage and widely spaced individual or isolated trees are prone to dieback and are unlikely to be replaced by natural regeneration. Native wildlife will benefit and be attracted to shelterbelts if they are planted with a wide range of local native trees, shrubs and grasses. If a variety of species is not planted, the shelterbelt is prone to outbreaks of disease and pests increasing the likelihood of dieback. Consider species that provide good shade and are vigorous growers. These may be species that already grow on the property, or that are known survivors locally. They will contribute to the effectiveness of the shelterbelt, as well as providing quality habitat and protection for native fauna.

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3. IDENTIFYING SHELTERBELT LOCATIONS: Choosing suitable locations for shelterbelts is part of developing a Physical Property Plan. Shelterbelts that form natural corridors with other areas of native vegetation provide the opportunity for wildlife movement. Take into consideration naturally occurring shelterbelts such as along tree lined watercourses, ridges, farm boundaries, roadsides, and native vegetation occurring along travelling stock routes. These areas can provide high quality habitat for wildlife. Take advantage of existing habitat features. Consider establishing a shelterbelt that includes existing native plants such as old paddock trees and native grasses. These established areas will assist in any further regeneration process. Conversely, planting a shelterbelt in an area which is dominated by exotic grasses and has a history of fertilizer use will reduce the chance of natural regeneration in the shelterbelt. This may lead to weed control problems, and the competition of exotics with the planted natives. Planning with neighbors can assist in determining the appropriate location for shelterbelts; maps and aerial photographs are also useful. Familiarity with the prevailing winds on your property will assist in determining the orientation of a shelterbelt. Generally, a shelterbelt that is at right angles to the prevailing winds will provide the best protection. When planting for shade, plan to avoid runoff from stock camps damaging waterways. Planting a buffer zone of native vegetation near watercourses can help in intercepting runoff as well as providing habitat for native fauna. A shelterbelt on level ground will be most effective if orientated at right angles to the prevailing winds. It is recommended that buildings be sited more than 1.5 and less than 5 times the shelterbelt height from a dense shelterbelt for protection from fire. Fire resistant species should be considered for these locations. Pasture or crop yields may be reduced if located very close to shelterbelts, as plants compete for moisture and light. These areas can be used as firebreaks or laneways. On undulating lands, wind flows parallel with the ground rather than from one direction. Shelterbelts on ridge tops give the greatest deflection of wind but are the most vulnerable to damage. A wide shelterbelt provides greater protection in exposed, windy areas.

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4. PLANTING SHELTERBELT: How to prepare land and plant trees Cultivate the planting strip at least one year before planting to reduce weed competition. The transplants distributed as shelterbelts material are small and need all possible help to survive the first few years. Trees are shipped in bales with the roots packed in damp peat moss. Plant them as soon as you receive your shipment. If storage is necessary, keep the bales at a low temperature in the shade. Stake planting rows before the actual planting. Follow the contours of the field with the shelterbelt layout. Plant at the same depth as the plants is grown in the nursery. In case of machine planting, walk behind the planter and check; firm the soil around each tree. Follow the spacing recommendations. Stop planting when wind speed exceeds 30 km per hour. Planting Tips The first step in planning an effective shelterbelt is to make sure it is located correctly. Shelterbelts should be oriented so they are perpendicular to the prevailing winds. This means that in the prairies where the prevailing winds typically come from the north and west the shelterbelt rows should be located along the north and west sides of the farmyard. It is also important to ensure that the shelterbelt is not too close to buildings and driveway, otherwise drifting snow may become an issue. Make sure that the inside row of the shelterbelt which is closest to the farm yard is at least 100 feet (30 meters) from any structures or roads. The next step is to decide on how many rows your shelterbelt will require in order to provide adequate wind protection for the farmyard. Shelterbelts can contain anywhere from 3 to 5 rows depending on the amount of space you have and the level of wind protection you desire. An effective shelterbelt should contain a combination of shrubs, fast growing trees, and dense long lived trees. The outside row of a shelterbelt should generally be a dense shrub that will act to reduce wind near the ground and act as a snow trap. The next row should consist of a fast growing tree species that will allow the shelterbelt to quickly gain height. The third row should be made up of long lived trees that will allow shelterbelt to remain effective for a long time. The fourth and fifth rows that would be closest to the yard should be made up of tall dense crowned trees that retain their foliage throughout the year. Should you have limited space, drop the third and fifth row and go with a three row shelterbelt. Spacing between the various shelterbelt rows is the next consideration. The spacing shown is designed to allow for the passage of maintenance equipment, as well as provide enough room for the trees to grow. Spacing between species within rows is also important to ensure that the shelterbelt fills out nicely and becomes an effective windbreak. The spacing between shrubs in the outside row should generally be about 3 feet (1m). Spacing of about 8 feet (2.5m) between trees within the 2nd and 3rd rows is appropriate. Trees within the 4th and 5th rows should be spaced about 10 feet (3.0m) apart.

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5. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF SHELTERBELT:

We should perform the following actions to insure that this practice functions as intended throughout its expected life. These actions include normal repetitive activities in the application and use of the practice (operation) and repair and upkeep of the practice (maintenance): Inspect the windbreak periodically to ensure protection and restoration from adverse impacts. Examples of adverse impacts include excessive equipment traffic, pest infestations, drift from pesticide use on adjacent lands, storm damage and fire. Livestock shall be controlled or excluded as necessary to achieve and maintain the intended purpose. Damaging pests will be monitored and controlled. Repellents, poisons, tubing, netting, fencing and cages of various kinds may be needed to control rodents and animal damage. Replacement of dead trees or shrubs will be required until the windbreak is fully functional and at no time should two adjacent plants be missing throughout the life of the windbreak Control vegetative competition until the practice is fully established and functional. Periodic applications of nutrients and/or irrigation may be needed to maintain plant vigor. As applicable, control of wind or concentrated flow erosion shall be continued in the area upwind or up-gradient of the windbreak to maintain its function. Following severe storms check for evidence of sediment deposit, erosion or concentrated flow channels and take corrective action as necessary. Maintain central stem on trees by eliminating forks and multiple leaders. The trees or shrubs will be thinned or pruned to maintain optimal health and function.

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6. CONSIDERATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT OF SHELTERBELT: Renovation may be accomplished over a period of years. Debris should be removed from the site and disposed properly if the debris will cause insect, disease, fire or operability problems. Vegetation removed during renovation should be burned. Debris and other vegetation removed during renovation may be used to produce energy. Erosion control may be needed during the renovation process. Wildlife and pollinator needs should be considered when selecting tree or shrub species to add or remove. Species diversity, including use of native species, should be considered. Increasing species diversity could reduce impacts from existing and new diseases and pests. Traditional breeding programs for the primary shelterbelt species in North Dakota have been initiated. The benefits from these programs, however, were not realized for many years. The new discipline of biotechnology supplemented and enhanced the traditional breeding programs by reducing selection cycles by increasing selection efficiency and increasing selection differential. Plant tissue culture, co-culturing techniques and recombinant DNA technologies are being applied to improve the shelterbelts. The establishment of shelterbelts has made North Dakota the number one state in the nation in the use and establishment of shelterbelts, with over 55,000 miles of field and farmstead windbreaks.

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7. CONCLUSION: Through consideration and planning shelterbelts can provide significant habitat for local wildlife while also providing productivity benefits for a property. Many of the design principles for enhancing shelterbelts to provide habitat do not involve extra expense. Appropriate plant species selection and variety are important elements. Locating shelterbelts to link or incorporate existing vegetation, close to water bodies and away from disturbance can significantly increase the value of the habitat they provide. Wider shelterbelts that include a range of local plant species will provide habitat for a larger range of wildlife species. Even well-established shelter belts can have some disadvantages. These include occupying land potentially productive land, reducing visibility, taking time to maintain, reducing drying effects of the wind on very wet blocks and increasing pest and disease problems. Nevertheless, with proper planning, good shelter on 5% of a farm will result in extra production on the remaining 95%. Careful choice of species, correct establishment procedures and good maintenance will eliminate many potential problems. Some species of trees for shelter require a heavy maintenance programme simply because they grow rapidly. Once the primary shelter is established subsequent belts can be of easy-care species. Every farming region has different reasons for shelter and every property is different in its requirements. Shelterbelts can be planted as a barrier, as a wind filter, or a combination of both. Once a belt has been established some maintenance is required, however the benefits for the property and local wildlife can be appreciated for a very long time. -----------------------------------------------------------

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