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Title: ECOLOGICAL ROLE AND SPATIAL VARIABILITY OF WINDBREAKS IN SLOVAKIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR CLIMATE-RESILIENT AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPES
ECOLOGICAL ROLE AND SPATIAL VARIABILITY OF WINDBREAKS IN SLOVAKIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR CLIMATE-RESILIENT AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPES

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Lenka Lackoova; Maria Tarnikova
10.5593/sgem2024/5.1/s20.13
10.5593/sgem2024/5.1
1314-2704
978-619-7603-72-9
English
24
5.1
•    Prof. DSc. Oleksandr Trofymchuk, UKRAINE 
•    Prof. Dr. hab. oec. Baiba Rivza, LATVIA
Ecology and Environmental Protection
Windbreaks play a crucial role in mitigating the impacts of climate change and preserving agricultural landscapes. This study addresses the knowledge gap concerning windbreaks in Slovakia, analysing 47 windbreaks comprising 24 trees and shrubs species. Predominantly, windbreaks feature Robinia pseudoacacia (21.8%), Populus nigra (16%), and Acer platanoides (8.7%) among trees, and Rosa canina (18.4%), Sambucus nigra (3.5%), and Crataegus oxyacantha (2.5%) among shrubs. Spatial analysis underscores variations in windbreak characteristics, encompassing length, width, and species composition. The study delineates windbreaks into non-permeable (3 pieces), with an average length of 882.87 meters, width of 6.05 meters, and height of 9.37 meters, showcasing the highest species diversity (averaging 4.74 species), semi-permeable windbreaks (13 pieces), with an average length of 608.307 meters, width of 5.53 meters, and height of 8.57 meters, and permeable windbreaks (31 pieces), averaging a length of 327.66 meters, width of 5.23 meters, and height of 9.52 meters. Even though the calculated ecological stability did not demonstrate significant growth, other vital parameters underscore the importance of windbreaks. These include the fact that windbreak protection effects cover 43% of total arable land, and by employing the windbreaks as a barrier, the unprotected field length has decreased by 3,6%. The ecological significance of windbreaks lies in reducing wind erosion, conserving soil moisture, protecting crops, and enhancing biodiversity. By employing geospatial tools, this research provides insights into windbreak attributes and their ecological roles, essential for sustainable land management practices amidst changing climatic conditions.
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This research is the result of the project: VEGA 1/0186/23 Windbreaks in the agricultural landscape - ecological, environmental, and economic value of multifunctional structures acting as soil degradation measures.
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https://doi.org/10.5593/sgem2024/5.1/s20.13
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Proceedings of 24th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM 2024
24th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM 2024, 1 - 7 July, 2024
Proceedings Paper
STEF92 Technology
International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference Surveying Geology and Mining Ecology Management, SGEM
SWS Scholarly Society; Acad Sci Czech Republ; Latvian Acad Sci; Polish Acad Sci; Russian Acad Sci; Serbian Acad Sci and Arts; Natl Acad Sci Ukraine; Natl Acad Sci Armenia; Sci Council Japan; European Acad Sci, Arts and Letters; Acad Fine Arts Zagreb Croatia; Croatian Acad Sci and Arts; Acad Sci Moldova; Montenegrin Acad Sci and Arts; Georgian Acad Sci; Acad Fine Arts and Design Bratislava; Russian Acad Arts; Turkish Acad Sci.
99-106
1 - 7 July, 2024
website
9963
windbreaks, spatial variability, climate resilience, ecological role, agricultural landscape

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