Estimation of windbreaks using GIS in Otofuke, Hokkaido

Abstract

This research was done to slow the decrease in the use of windbreaks by preparing windbreaks database showing their effectiveness in preventing wind damage in Otofuke, Tokachi region in Hokkaido, the northernmost prefecture in Japan. The main research method was using the windbreak data within the GIS (geographic information system). It was shown that the total length of windbreaks in Otofuke increased from 242.3 km in 1995 to 255.0 km in 2003, which was a 12.7 km increase in 8 years. It was shown that the tree species used in the windbreak in Otofuke are Larix kaempferi (Lamb.) Carriere (74.9%), Betula platyphylla sukatchev var. japonica (Miq.) Hara (9.5%), Abies sachalinensis Fr. Schm. (3.0%), Picea glehnii (Fr. Schm.) Masters. (0.5%) and other trees (12.1%). The tree trimming of windbreak of tree height over 20 m decreased at 54 km, and the planting of windbreak of tree height of 10 m or less increased 7 km. In spite of increased the extension of windbreaks slightly, the sheltered areas by windbreak decreased 1,400 ha. It was proved that the windbreak was useful for prevention of wind erosion damage through the relations between the sheltered areas by the windbreak and the place of the wind erosion damage.

Effect of Japanese Larch Arable Land Windbreaks on Wind Damage Reduction in the Early Spring Cultivation Season: A Case Study in Kamioribe District, Shihoro Town, Eastern Hokkaido

“…Akama et al (2007) posted a photograph of either a Sakhalin fir or Sakhalin spruce arable land windbreak and gave the following caption: "Conifers which are effective for Tokachi wind in spring." In contrast to the reports of Torita et al (2003), Tsuji et al (2005Tsuji et al ( , 2007, and Akama et al (2007), it was reported that snow banks of similar sizes formed leeward to deciduous Japanese larch and evergreen Sakhalin fir arable land windbreaks in winter, suggesting that the wind velocity reduction effects of these two types of windbreak are similar (Ohshima et al, 2003;Hokkaido Forestry Research Institute, 2005). Thus, it is necessary to resolve this contradiction.…”

“…They surveyed wind damage to red beans, but the Tokachi spring wind blew on June 9 and 10 in the year they surveyed, so leaves on the short shoots of larches were supposed to have been fully extended by then (Ohshima et al, 2002;Hirokawa and Suzuki, 2006). Tsuji et al (2007) analyzed the relationship between the densities of arable land windbreaks and the rate of wind damage and showed that the relationship was statistically non-significant. They did not state the names of the crops being investigated, nor the date when wind damage occurred.…”

“…In addition, a statement contradictory to the above-quoted statement is found in Tsuji et al (2005), causing confusion: "On the other hand, erosion damage occurred near the windbreaks." Furthermore, the same first author (Tsuji et al, 2005(Tsuji et al, , 2007 denies the high effectiveness of larch arable land windbreaks against wind damage caused by the Tokachi spring wind, causing further confusion.…”

“…Larch buds on the Tokachi Plain start to open in early May (Ohshima et al, 2002), and it takes about three weeks from the bud opening for the full extension of leaves on short shoots (Hirokawa and Suzuki, 2006). During half of the high risk period of wind damage, larch buds are either not open or open, but do not have fully extended leaves (Tsuji et al, 2005;Tsuji et al, 2007). Thus, Torita et al (2003) suggested that Japanese larch arable land windbreaks were insufficiently effective in spring because the wind velocity reduction effect of a trunk line windbreak of deciduous Manchurian ash (Fraxinus mandshurica var.…”

“…Tsuji et al (2005) described the disadvantage of larch trees: "The main disadvantage is that the growth of this tree between the end of April and the beginning of May, the period with high risk of wind erosion in this area, is not sufficient to provide maximum wind shielding effects." Tsuji et al (2007) suggested that Japanese larch arable land windbreaks were insufficiently effective in spring because the buds were closed or the leaves on short shoots were still extending, and proposed changing the species of arable land windbreaks to evergreen trees such as Sakhalin fir (Abies sachalinensis [F.Schmidt] Mast.) and Sakhalin spruce (Picea glehnii Masters).…”