Shelterbelts for profit

摘要

Historically, field shelterbelts have been planted for two reasons: soil erosion control and crop protection (on the prairies most shelterbelts were planted after the devastating 1930s). Since then, research has proven that shelterbelts provide not only wind protection, but also reduce evaporation, increase relative humidity, trap heat, and help retain soil moisture. Early shelterbelts were planted with species such as caragana, spruce, poplar, Manitoba maple, green ash, and pine. What species was planted depended somewhat on soil and moisture conditions.