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Shelterbelts
It is estimated that roughly 160
million tonnes of prairie topsoil is lost every year due to wind
erosion. Therefore, shelterbelts are an important District tool
used to improve soil conservation.
A well designed shelterbelt will protect land for a distance of
ten times the height of the shelterbelt. A shelterbelt with trees
from five meters high in the outer row rising to twenty meters high in
the inner rows will provide protection for up to 200 hundred meters at
maturity. This protection however highly depends on the construction
of the shelter belt
Benefits can include:
Animals
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Reduced stock
losses during breeding |
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Reduced energy
consumption for maintenance |
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Less winter
feed requirements |
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Faster growth
to target weight |
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Crops
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Less soil
erosion and nutrient loss |
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Conservation of
soil water |
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Reduced need
for irrigation |
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Extended
growing season |
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Reduced
physical damage |
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Other
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Protection for
buildings and work areas |
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Reduced
evaporation from dams |
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Assist in grass
fire control |
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Habitat for
wildlife and predatory birds/insects |
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Application
Form and
Terms
and Conditions
For more information about this or any
other District Program, please contact LSRBCD.
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