Windbarriers

Windbarriers, or wind barriers, are structures or planted rows designed to slow or redirect wind flow to achieve environmental, agricultural, or urban objectives. They can be living barriers such as hedgerows and shelterbelts composed of trees and shrubs, or non-living barriers like fences, walls, perforated screens, or berms. The primary function is to reduce wind speed on the leeward side, thereby decreasing wind erosion, evaporative loss, and heat loss, and improving comfort for pedestrians or workers.

In agriculture, windbreaks protect crops, reduce soil erosion, conserve soil moisture, and influence snow deposition. Design factors include height relative to the protected area, length, porosity, spacing, and the arrangement of multiple rows. Effective windbreaks often employ a gradient of porosity from windward to leeward, with a dense upwind portion to slow the flow and a more open leeward edge to minimize turbulence.

In urban and architectural contexts, wind barriers mitigate wind tunnels around buildings, protect entrances, and improve outdoor comfort for pedestrians and seating areas. The choice between living and non-living barriers involves trade-offs: living barriers take time to establish and require maintenance but can provide habitat and climate benefits; non-living barriers offer immediate protection but may incur higher maintenance costs and aesthetic or ecological impacts.

Environmental considerations include local climate, wind patterns, landscape, and maintenance capabilities, while performance is influenced by height, length, distance from the protected area, and the degree of porosity.