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A GIS-BASED METHOD FOR DETECTING WINDBREAKS: INTEGRATING CORINE LAND COVER AND DIGITAL SURFACE MODELS
Abstract
Windbreaks are key components of agricultural landscapes, mitigating wind erosion, protecting crops, enhancing microclimate stability, and supporting biodiversity. Despite their ecological and agronomic importance, spatially comprehensive inventories of windbreaks remain limited, particularly at regional and national scales. This study presents a semi-automated GIS-based method for identifying potential windbreak structures in the Malacky district of western Slovakia. Using the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) as a reference framework, the analysis integrates CORINE Land Cover 2018 data with a height-based model derived from Digital Terrain Model (DTM) and Digital Surface Model (DSM). A height threshold of 3 meters was applied to distinguish tree and shrub formations from low vegetation and terrain irregularities, reflecting the typical minimum height of functional windbreaks reported in previous studies. Compared to complex object-based or machine learning approaches, the proposed method offers a cost-efficient and scalable alternative for large-scale mapping using open-access datasets. The resulting dataset provides a spatially explicit inventory of potential windbreaks, supporting decision-makers in conservation planning, soil protection, and agro-environmental management. However, the accuracy of detection depends on the spatial resolution of input elevation data, and further validation using high-resolution LiDAR or field observations is recommended. The method can be readily adapted to other agricultural regions where compatible land cover and elevation datasets are available, making it a valuable tool for cross-regional windbreak assessment and landscape management.
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References6
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