SBELTS: A model of soybean production under tree shelter

Farmers in the North Central region of the United States often are reluctant to use shelterbelts because of inadequate information clearly showing their benefits. We developed a computer model, called SBELTS for ShelterBELT and Soybeans, that simulates the influence of a shelterbelt on soybean (Glycine max L.) production across an agricultural field in the midwestern United States. Objectives of this study were to 1) describe the structure of SBELTS, 2) present model simulations, and 3) discuss model limitations. SBELTS is composed of three submodels. The first submodel produces characteristics of a shelterbelt that are passed to the second submodel that estimates daily windrun at user-specified distances leeward (away from the prevailing wind) of the shelterbelt. Estimated daily windruns are merged with other microclimatic information to produce weather files for each specified distance. Finally, the third submodel uses a soybean growth/yield model to estimate soybean yield at specified distances, and the yields are averaged. Data collection was not a part of the present project, so SBELTS was evaluated by comparing predicted results with published information. SBELTS was used to predict soybean yield across a field leeward of a 7.6 m tall shelterbelt, and the predicted yield curve compared well with published yield curves. The sensitivity of SBELTS to variation in rainfall was evaluated by predicting yields for 3.8 m tall and 7.6 m tall shelterbelts in wet, normal, and dry years. Results showed no shelterbelt influence in wet years, some influence in normal years, and a sizable influence in dry years. Results showed that the 7.6 m shelterbelt had more influence than the 3.8 m shelterbelt. Although SBELTS has limited use, it is the first step in the development of more advanced models that will be able to simulate production of soybeans and other crops under the influence of shelterbelts on a variety of soil types.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

坡地防护林带小气候因子与作物产量的关系

本文着重测定了坡地防护林带间农地小气候因子与作物产量。结果表明，坡地防护林带对作物生长环境有明显影响，关联分析显示影响小麦产量的主导因子为光照强度。据此，文中提出了改善林带间农地光照条件的系列措施，便于农林业生产中应用。     

Tree windbreaks and shelter benefits to pasture in temperate grazing systems

The effects of windbreaks on pastures are reviewed, with an emphasis on temperate grazing systems. Mechanisms of plant response to shelter are dealt with in brief. Few papers on measured responses of pasture species to shelter were located in a search of the global literature for the period 1972–97. Except in cold climates, where the benefits of snow-trapping on water availability can be demonstrated, there were few reports of increased production of pasture in response to shelter. A significant result was obtained in a summer rainfall environment in Australia, where a 43% increase in wool production was obtained over three years in small plots sheltered with iron sheeting on the fences. The gain was attributed to increased pasture growth. In New Zealand, one study over three years with a narrow, permeable shelterbelt in a windy, dry summer environment showed a 60% increase in pasture growth in the sheltered zone. However, another study on a high rainfall site with a dense, wide shelterbelt found no substantial shelter effect on pasture. In dry, hot and windy climates there appears to be scope for protecting spray-irrigated pasture with windbreaks. The feasibility of evaluating shelter effects on pastures or crops from old windbreaks is questioned. Variability of soil over the site can not be satisfactorily accounted for and there are problems in defining the true ‘unsheltered’ yield. Shelter effects on pastures could best be determined by comparing production in small completely sheltered plots and open plots. Effects in and near the competitive zone should be measured for living windbreaks. Modelling could then be used to evaluate windbreak systems. We are not yet in a position to provide unequivocal advice to farmers on windbreak outcomes for particular purposes or regions. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A case study of shelterbelt effect on potato (Solanum tuberosum) yield on the Atherton Tablelands in tropical north Australia

An experimental study was conducted on the Atherton Tablelands of tropical north Australia to quantify the shelterbelt benefit to the production of potato (Solanum tuberosum). Wind speed, wind direction and potato yield were measured at various distances from the leeward side of the shelterbelt. Non-linear modelling was used to describe the relationship between potato yield and distance from the shelterbelt. With the developed model, definite integral was used to calculate the net increase percentage of potato yield.Wind speed was greatly reduced by the shelterbelt. Potato yield was increased by 6.7% due to the shelterbelt.It appears that fitting non-linear models is a useful method to determine an accurate net increase of crops from shelterbelts, providing an accurate assessment of the average crop yield on the open areas is achieved.     

Modelling trees' effect on maize in the Grevillea Robusta + maize system in Central Kenya

In the Central Highlands on Kenya, Grevillearobusta (A. Cunn.) trees are commonly planted on maize (Zeamays L.) fields. This type of production system covers about 750 000ha in the highland area around Mt Kenya. Knowing the influence oftrees on maize yield would help to regulate the density and size distribution ofthe tree cover. The spatial distribution of trees varies from rather uniform toextremely aggregated patterns, calling for a spatial modelling approach. Thisstudy employed three different spatial competition index types to model theeffect of trees on the maize yield at a given location. The maize yield wasexpressed as a function of competition index, which was calculated from thediameters and distances of trees. The data were collected from 14 maize fields,and included measurements on 857 trees and 2514 one-m² maize plots. The models indicated that high competition by treesdecreases maize yields considerably, but at the field level the decrease issmall with normal tree stockings (about 200 trees per hectare). Characteristicto the models was low degree of explained variance, which was partly due to highsampling error in maize yield measurement and low variation in competition(places with high competition by trees were seldom planted with maize). One ofthe maize yield models was combined with an earlier simulation program forG. robusta. The simulator allows one to predict thetemporal development of any G. robusta – maize fieldin Central Kenya. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Potential of the APSIM model to simulate impacts of shading on maize productivity

A number of agroforestry models have been developed to simulate growth outcomes based on the interactions between components of agroforestry systems. A major component of this interaction is the impact of shade from trees on crop growth and yield. Capability in the agricultural production systems simulator (APSIM) model to simulate the impacts of shading on crop performance could be particularly useful, as the model is already widely used to simulate agricultural crop production. To quantify and simulate the impacts of shading on maize performance without trees, a field experiment was conducted at Melkassa Agricultural Research Centre, Ethiopia. The treatments contained three levels of shading intensity that reduced incident radiation by 0 (control), 50 and 75% using shade cloth. Data from a similar field experiment at Machakos Research Station, Kenya, with 0, 25 and 50% shading were also used for simulation. APSIM adequately simulated maize grain yield (r² = 0.97) and total above-ground biomass (r² = 0.95) in the control and in the 50% treatments at Melkassa, and likewise in the control (r² = 0.99), 25% (r² = 0.90) and 50% (r² = 0.98) treatments at Machakos. Similarly, APSIM effectively predicted Leaf Area Index attained at the flowering (r² = 0.90) and maturity (r² = 0.94) stages. However, APSIM under-estimated maize biomass and yield at 75% shading. In conclusion, the model can be reliably employed to simulate maize productivity in agroforestry systems with up to 50% shading, but caution is required at higher levels of shading.     

Tree planting in the Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands experience a cool, windy and relativelydry climate. The soil is typically shallow peat over clay, althoughdeeper peat is locally present, and the natural vegetation isgrass-heath with no native trees or large shrubs. Climatic andsoil conditions, lack of knowledge and inadequate protectionhave hampered past attempts to establish a wide variety of treespecies. Successful results have been largely confined to favourablesites near houses and gardens. A very few sizeable tree plotsexist, notably at Hill Cove, Roy Cove, Weddell Island and CarcassIsland. Tree planting prospects were appraised during a visitin 1983. The creation of effective shelterbelts appeared feasible,using modern establishment techniques developed in upland Britain,correct species choice, careful site selection, adequate beltwidth, protection against damage, good technical supervisionand patience. The most promising species are Cupressus macrocarpa,Picea sitchensis (Queen Charlotte Islands origin), Pinus contorta(coastal origins only), Pinus radiata and Nothofagus betuloides.Using the same species, limited planting for wood productionmay also be possible on a very few sheltered, moist, accessiblesites. Small scale amenity and shelter planting for houses andgardens is clearly practicable. Imported planting stock willbe necessary due to the impracticality of raising sizeable quantitiesin the Islands.     

Characterizing pork producer demand for shelterbelts to mitigate odor: an Iowa case study

Shelterbelts have been shown to mitigate livestock odors incrementally through complex physical and social dynamics. By surveying Iowa hog producers, we assessed the current degree of shelterbelt usage by pork producers, examined producers’ beliefs and concerns regarding shelterbelt usage for odor mitigation and estimated both their willingness to pay and their overall demand for shelterbelts. Overall, Iowa hog producers display strong beliefs that shelterbelts help, social-psychologically, to mitigate odors and generally believe that shelterbelts physically reduce odors. Seventy-five percent of producers expressed a mean willingness to pay $0.18 per pig produced annually. Sixty percent are willing to pay within a range of estimated costs, and 13% are willing to pay more. Overall, younger (<mean) producers are the most probable users of this technology, and they tend to meet four criteria: they plan to be at the same site for over 10 years; they are located in regions with high pig populations; they are at higher risk of affecting neighbors with odors, due to their proximity; they appreciate the more intangible perceived benefits of using shelterbelts (e.g., those associated with social-psychological responses). Overall, the younger producers perceived excessive cost/labor requirements as their main concerns. This information is critical to guide future extension programming that addresses all key concerns of current and potential users of shelterbelts.     

晋江市沿海防护林20年景观生态格局变化研究

以福建晋江沿海防护林的5种主要类型为研究对象,从景观生态学的角度,运用RS和G IS技术,对1989年,1993年,2001年,2008年4个时相的遥感影像进行解译,结合实地调查,得到晋江市4个时相防护林的景观格局图。应用景观分析软件Fragstats,分别计算其景观格局指数并进行分析。结果表明:1989—1993年,5类防护林面积均明显减小,斑块密度增加,破碎化程度加大;1993—2001年,破碎化程度进一步加剧,而以农田防护林网最为明显;2001—2008年,防护林景观格局整体好转,但海岸基于林带仍呈下降趋势。说明基干林带一旦遭受破坏则很难恢复,应加强基干林带保护和建设。     

民勤农田防护林对作物增产的贡献率

民勤绿洲农田防护林保护下的小麦产量均有胁地区和增产区的产量分布规律:胁地区为平产区产量的67.3%,增产区比平产区产量高3.3%;大片防护林庇护下的民勤绿洲,有防护林的小麦田产量比无防护林小麦田的产量高出4.7%。相对于防护林对小麦增产的贡献率,长期耕作对小麦有3.2%的增产作用。凉州区的防护林以疏通结构为主,有防护林的小麦产量高于无防护林的18.6%。比较民勤与凉州区防护林影响下的作物产量,民勤地区的防护林与其他因素共同影响对小麦增产的贡献率达到20.8%。民勤位于石羊河下游,受风沙危害严重,而小麦产量高于石羊河上游的凉州区,说明农田防护林及其它因素共同影响对民勤绿洲的粮食安全具有重要作用。     

木麻黄沿海防护林小气候效应的定位研究初报

对惠安木麻黄沿海防护林的小气候进行了定位观测。其结果为 :惠安木麻黄沿海防护林内年平均气温为 19 6℃ ,年平均最低气温为 17 3℃ ,年平均最高气温为 2 2 6℃ ,均比林外低 ;木麻黄林内外年平均气温均 >10℃ ;全年林内≥ 10℃的积温 6 990 7℃ ,占≥ 5℃林内积温的 97 5 % ,惠安沿海热量资源很丰富 ,可利用性大 ;年平均降水量为 1190 8mm ,降水主要集中春夏两季 ,冬秋季降水少 ,10月、11月份林分干旱 ;木麻黄林年平均地面温度为 2 0 4℃ ,比林外低 2 7℃ ,木麻黄林分对地温的影响比气温大。     

Effect of windbreak on the yield of cotton crop in semiarid regions of Haryana

The beneficial effects of shelterbelts and windbreaks have been convincingly demonstrated in the temperate regions of the world. Investigations conducted on the biological effects of windbreaks are relatively few in arid and semiarid zones. In the semiarid regions of Haryana under Social Forestry programmes large scale plantations along roads, canals, fields, etc. were undertaken. In this region, an area having a windbreak of Dalbergia sissoo (18 years old) was selected and cotton was raised in the agricultural fields. The tree belt is able to reduce the windspeed by 15 to 45% depending upon season and wind speed. Observations on morphological characters and crop yield revealed that the belt height had a significant effect on plant growth. In general growth and cotton productivity increased upto distance of four times the tree height to the leeward of belt. Depending upon the orientation of tree belt, an increase in cotton yield was found to be 4 to 10%. Plant growth (in terms of leaf area, leaf number, plant height) and yield (seed cotton production) were observed to be high in sheltered area as compared to open fields. The results indicate that windbreak establishment should be adopted and integrated to a whole farming system, in semiarid regions.     

External economic benefits and social goods from prairie shelterbelts

Shelterbelts are a valuable resource to those who plant them and to other members of society. The external benefits to society can be worth as much as the private benefits to producers. However, the external benefits have not been quantified or monetized in a well-documented way. In this study, external benefits were estimated for tree seedlings distributed by the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Shelterbelt Centre in the Canadian Prairie Provinces for the period 1981–2001. Estimation of these benefits required information on the biophysical changes caused by shelterbelts and their valuation. Using literature, we estimated that the value of these external benefits amounted to over $140 million (2001 CDN$; CDN$1 = US$0.63). The majority of this value was derived from carbon sequestration ($73 million) and reduced soil erosion ($15 million) services with the remainder being contributed by biodiversity and water and air quality services. Other external benefits, such as health values, transportation safety, aesthetics and property values were identified but could not be estimated due to a lack of data. The estimated value for external benefits conferred by shelterbelts in this study indicates that they are large and suggests that both private and external benefits need to be considered in formulating policies or programs so that benefits to the society can be maximized.     

Impact of Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. shelterbelts on crops

The economic yield of chickpea, lentil, wheat, cauliflower, barseem, and toria in a 12-m-wide strip to the south of 8 ± 1-year-old Eucalyptus tereticornis shelterbelts (three different locations) was reduced by more than half. Among all the crops under study, the yield of chickpea was reduced by the maximum extent. The content of soil phytotoxins was maximum in the litter-free top soil surface, compared to that at 30 or 60 cm depths, at all distances from the Eucalyptus. Maximum content of phytotoxins was found at 1 m from the tree line for all depths. These soil phytotoxins impaired the germination of Lens esculentum, thus indicating an allelopathic effect. It is included that the poor perfornce of crops in the sheltered area is related to an allelopathic effect of the Eucalyptus.     

The potential of alley cropping im improvement of cultivation systems in the high rainfall areas of Zambia II. Maize production

Theee trials to evaluat the potential of alley cropping in maize production on the low fertility, acidic soils in Northern Zambia are described. Leucaena leucocephala, Gliricidia sepium, Sesbania sesban, Albizia falcataria, Fleminga congesta, and Cassia spectabilis, were grown in alley crops with hybrid maize and soybean. All trials received recommended rates of P and K fertiliser; N fertiliser was applied at three rates as a subplot treatment. One trial received lime before establishment.Only in the limed trial was there a significant improvement in maize yields through alley cropping; when no N fertiliser was applied, incorporation of Leucaena leucocephala prunings resulted in an increase of up to 95% in yields, with a smaller improvement being produced by Flemingia congesta. There was a significant correlation between the quantity of prunings biomass applied and the proportional increase in maize yields over the control treatment. It is suggested that the lack of effect of most of the tree species on crop yields was due to low biomass production.An economic analysis showed that alley cropping with limed Leucaena was only profitable when fertiliser costs were high in relation to maize prices. However, lime is both expensive and difficult to obtain and transport for most small scale farmers in the region, and is therefore not a practical recommendation. It is suggested that future alley cropping research should focus on screening a wider range of tree species, including other species of Leucaena, for acid tolerance and higher biomass production.     

云南省野生动物收容救护调查研究

采用问卷调查法,收集整理云南省27家野生动物收容救护机构2014—2017年期间的相关信息。关注焦点集中于业务范围、类型、运作经费、救护设施和救护人员等反映野生动物收容救护机构性质和救护能力的属性,以及体现机构成绩和救护倾向的野生动物收容、放归野外、康复饲养和调配移送数量等野生动物收容救护数据。采用WPS表格进行统计分析,以TTEST进行相关性检验,对全省各收容救护机构属性与机构野生动物收容救护数据之间的内在联系进行分析。结果表明,云南省野生动物收容救护能力欠缺,各级财政的经费投入不足,存在不科学放归的可能,野生动物收容救护需求量大与收容救护资源有限的矛盾突出,个别机构存在收容救护意愿薄弱现象,收容救护机构的主营业务和救护能力是收容救护工作的主要驱动力。提出加大经费投入,设置收容救护人员编制,规范收容救护行为,提高收容救护技术水平,多渠道高效处置康复饲养野生动物等建议。     

Influence of mulching and tree shelters on 4-year survival and growth of zeen oak (Quercus canariensis) seedlings

We assessed the effect of mulching and tree shelters on the establishment and early growth of zeen oak(Quercus canariensis Willd.) during the first 4 years after planting in Northwestern Tunisia. Five mulch types(Italian Stone Pine(Pinus pinea L.), Lentisk(Pistacia lentiscus L.),and a combination of Italian Stone Pine and Lentisk(organic mulches), gravel(inorganic mulch) and control), and three tree shelter types(non-vented and vented tree shelters, and control) were tested. An increase in the number of internodes occurred under the gravel mulch, while a reduction in survival was found for the lentisk mulch. Tree shelters had no effect on survival, but increased mean height growth and reduced mean diameter growth during the 4 years(excepting a non-significant effect for vented tree shelter at year four). Comparison of the annual shoots and growth units(GU) between sheltered and unsheltered plants according to year of formation revealed two growth phases. In first phase, shoots were totally or partially inside the shelters; mean length of annual shoots and GU were greater for sheltered plants. The second phase was characterized by shoots emerging from shelters; mean length of annual shoots and GU were similar for all plants, with or without tree shelters. Results suggest that the use of tree shelters, particularly vented shelters, could contribute to the improvement of the artificial regeneration of zeen oak.The use of mulching alone or in combination with tree shelters did not improve zeen oak performance in the field.     

Protection efficiency assessment and quality of coastal shelterbelt for Dongshan Island at the coastal section scale

The coastal shelter forest in China is under threat of destruction and degradation because of the impact of human activities. Protection efficiency assessment of the coastal shelterbelt is an important component of shelter-forest remediation planning and sustainable management. In this study, a protection efficiency index (PEI) model was established using the projection pursuit method to assess the protective quality of the coastal shelter forest at the coastal section scale of Dongshan Island, China. Three criteria were used, including forest stand structure, forest belt structure, and windbreak effect; each criterion further comprised multiple factors. Based on survey data of 31 plots in the coastal shelter forest of Dongshan Island, we calculated PEI values using a projection of a pursuit model. The result showed 64.5 % of the PEIs fell at or below the middle level, which can indicate the status of the coastal shelterbelt is unsatisfactory. To further explore whether the different bays and land use types create significant differences in PEIs and evaluation indices, we used an ANOVA to test the influence of various bays and forms of land use on coastal shelterbelts. The results showed that PEI and most of the indices differed significantly by bay; mean tree height, mean DBH, mean crown width, stand density, vegetation coverage, and wind velocity reduction differed significantly by land use. Therefore, relevant measures for different locations, bays and surrounding land use can be proposed to improve the existing conditions of the coastal shelterbelt. The results of this study provide a theoretical and technical framework for future changes and sustainable management of coastal shelterbelt on Dongshan Island.     

A retrieval and validation method for shelterbelt vegetation fraction

Shelterbelts are important in defending against natural disaster and maintaining ecological balances in farmland. Understanding of the shelterbelt vegetation fraction is fundamental to regional research of shelterbelts using remote sensing. We used SPOT5 imagery with 10×10m spatial resolution in combination with knowledge of the characteristics of shelterbelts to develop a method for retrieval of the vegetation fraction of shelterbelts by the pixel un-mixing model. We then used the method to retrieve values for shelterbelts in study area. By combining the parameters of photographic images with characteristics of shelterbelts, we developed a method for measuring the vegetation fraction of shelterbelts based on an advanced photographic method. We then measured the actual values to validate the retrieval result. The multiple correlation coefficients between the retrieved and measured values were 0.715. Our retrieval and measuring methods presented in this paper accurately reflect field conditions. We suggest that this method is useful to describe shelterbelt structure using remote sensing.     

Modelling of planted legume fallows in Western Kenya using WaNuLCAS. (I) Model calibration and validation

Poor soil fertility is the biggest obstacle to agricultural productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa. Improved fallows can help to raise agricultural productivity in these systems of low financial capital, however, experimental testing of their potential application domain and design is costly and time consuming. Models can evaluate alternative systems relatively quickly and at relatively low cost, but must first be validated to assess satisfactory simulation of the target systems. Specific climatic, edaphic, crop and fallow growth data was used from five sites in Western Kenya to calibrate and validate simulations of maize and improved fallow growth using the Water, Nutrient and Light Capture in Agroforestry Systems (WaNuLCAS) model. The model predicted continuous maize yields across the sites with an R ² of 0.72, an EF (model efficiency) of 0.66 and a CD (coefficient of determination) of 2.73, although the default pedotransfer functions (PTF) for volumetric soil water content used in the model had to be substituted for a tropical soils specific PTF before this was achieved. Predicted maize yield was consistently related to fallow biomass (i.e. higher fallow biomass correlated with higher subsequent maize yields) at two sites and the model predicted maize yields following fallow growth from this subset of the data with an R ² of 0.42. This relationship of fallow biomass to subsequent maize yield was not observed across the whole data set due to incomplete fallow litterfall data, factors not included in the model and associated poor model prediction of recycled tree biomass. After site and tree calibration, the model can thus be applied to assess fallow management strategies for sites limited by water and nitrogen.