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2.1.2. Windbreaks

Windbreaks are linear plantings of trees and shrubs designed to slow the
wind in open areas, to prevent soil erosion, to protect the nearby plants from
damage and water loss effects of the wind.
Windbreakers also provide side benefits such as providing shelter sites
and green corridors for wildlife movement, grazing, foraging, and escaping
and hiding place for many species. Studies show that the most effective
windbreakers consist of 6-9 rows of woodlands with shrubs and short plants.
Even windbreakers consisting of one or three rows of trees, designed
accordingly, can be effective (FAO, 2018a).
Table 3: Prepared by the author using the Benefits and Challenges of Windbreaks
(FAO, 2018d) report.

BENEFITS CHALLENGES

• Increased biological pest control through the
provision of shelter and feeding sites for pred-
ators
• Less moisture loss due to reduced wind speed
and evaporation • Installation and
• Reduced wind erosion rates maintenance
• Increased moisture retention and increased costs are re-
misting near the leaf surfaces quired.
• Formation of microclimate • Increase in
the number of
• Formation of green corridors that facilitate the some pests for
mobility of wildlife on the landscape certain prod-
• Providing other benefits such as firewood, fruit, ucts
mushrooms, and an increase in crop pollination,
etc.

2.1.3. Riparian Forests
Riparian forests located along streams, lakes or wetlands provide benefits to
rural areas and urban environments such as water quality, habitat, agriculture,
recreation and woodland. A riparian forest is an area adjacent to a stream,
lake or wetland contains a combination of trees, shrubs and/or other perennial
plants, and is managed differently from the surrounding landscape primarily
to provide preservation benefits.

146 Journal of Environment, Urbanization and Climate