Use of date-fronds mat fence as a barrier for wind erosion control. 2. Effect of barrier density on microclimate and vegetation

Abstract

The effects of four wind barrier systems on microclimate and vegetation growth were studied over a 28-month period. The systems, as described bu Murai et al. (1990), consisted of four different densities of date-fronds mat fences erected in a checker-board manner between rows of two tree species cultivated locally for wind erosion control: Prosopis spicigera and Acacia tortilis. Tree growth rate was linearly proportional to barrier density. Height gain in those species increased by 20 and 50% respectively, in the most protected treatment compared to the control, 2 years after planting. The corresponding lateral branch growth was 36 and 42%, respectively. Trees growing in the highest fence density treatment provided significantly more ground shade. Ambient air temperature was not affected by the treatments, but was significantly lower in the most protected treatment in comparison with the control. Soil surface evaporation and biomass of natural non-tree vegetation growing in the experimental plots varied significantly among the treatments.