Shelterbelts

A shelterbelt is a barrier of trees or shrubs. The term “field shelterbelt” is used to distinguish between rows of trees or shrubs on agricultural fields from those planted in other ways: around farmyards or livestock facilities (farmstead shelterbelts), on marginal lands to change land use or in block plantings to provide woodlots or wildlife habitat.

Properly placed field shelterbelts provide agronomic and other benefits. The main agronomic benefits include the following:

• reduced soil erosion by wind
• increased moisture for crop growth due to two factors: – snow trapping – reduced moisture loss through evaporation
• potential for increased crop yields
• reduced wind damage to crops

Other benefits of establishing shelterbelts include:

• wildlife habitat and shelter
• improved safety in winter travel due to reduced snow drifting
• lower costs of snow removal from roads
• beautification of the prairie landscape
• reduced environmental effects of agriculture
• provide a potential source of income for farmers (e.g. biomass, timber and non-timber products)

Field shelterbelts are a part of conservation management systems that will help safeguard the productive quality of our soils.