The Multifunctional Role of Shelterbelts in Intensively Managed Agricultural Land – Silvoarable Agroforestry in Hungary

Abstract

– The use of shelterbelts as windbreaks to protect and increase field productivity has a long history in Hungary. Nevertheless, when shelterbelts began to wane, many environmental problems such as soil drying, deflation, and erosion began to occur, which in turn led to economic difficulties. Earlier field experience supported by new results indicates that shelterbelts are beneficial for intensively-treated fields, this despite the space shelterbelts require. Our research study aims to summarize the information available in Hungarian and international literature regarding the most effective shelterbelt structure. In addition, the study supports the design of multipurpose tree plantations with recommendations to mitigate climate change impacts and minimize the negative effects of intensive agricultural technology. In this article we would like to draw attention to the fact that shelterbelts can serve as effective tools in agroforestry and can be regarded as a means of ensuring economically and environmentally sustainable methods for agriculture. Below, we summarize how shelterbelts can help with adaptation to coming global and local challenges; we also describe why and how shelterbelts can be renewed and implemented in a reasonable way.