Formosa, Cressy - The establishment of trees can bring multiple benefits including a reduction in windspeed across the paddock which translates to reduced potential evapotranspiration.
Download PDFOwner | Family owned |
Property name | Formosa |
Location | Cressy, Northern Tasmania |
Property size | 25 hectare paddock |
Enterprise | Dryland and irrigated mixed farming |
Rainfall | 592mm |
Soil type | Brown chromosol |
Forested area | 1ha |
Agroforestry is the integration of trees into agricultural enterprises. The establishment of trees can bring multiple benefits including a reduction in windspeed across the paddock which translates to reduced potential evapotranspiration.
Windspeed reduced by 20-30% across the full 300m transect to the eastern (leeward) side of the belt.
50-80% windspeed reduction between 30 and 100m from the trees where windspeed was reduced the most.
Shelter reduced evapotranspiration by 25-20% over the full 300m sheltered zone irrespective of season.
Potential evapotranspiration is the evaporation that would occur if sufficient water is available at all times. Pan evaporation is a measure of potential evapotranspiration.
Actual evapotranspiration is the water that is actually evaporated/transpired and is lower than potential because water is not always available. Evapotranspiration will typically occur at potential until the soil surface (to rooting depth) starts to dry out.
Trees reduced water loss through evaporation. 1ha of 15m tall trees on the windward edge of a 25ha paddock provided shelter from the prevailing wind. This resulted in:
This research was supported by the Agrivision 2050 initiative of the Tasmanian Government through Private Forests Tasmania and the Department of Agriculture and Water, through research and Development for Profit Initiative Round 2. Also supported by Forest and Wood Products Australia, Dairy Australia, Agricultures Australia, the University of Tasmania, Greening Australia and Forico.