Characterisation of a windbreak system on the south coast of Western Australia. 3. Soil water and hydrology

Abstract

This paper describes changes in soil water and ground water at various distances from a Pinus pinaster windbreak in south-western Australia. Soil water contents were measured by neutron moisture meter and time domain reflectometry at distances from a windbreak ranging from 1 to 20 tree heights (H). Within 3 H of the windbreak, soil water storage was reduced by 100–153 mm/1.8 m when compared to unsheltered conditions (20 H) over the 4 years of the experiment. Beyond 3 H, no significant differences in soil water storage were found which could be related to microclimate modification. Relationships between surface soil water storage (mm/0.4 m) at <6 H and 12–24 H were 1 : 1 regardless of the technique used. Similarly, soil water depletion within the crop rootzone (mm/0.6 m) was similar at distances >3 H. Reductions in the depth and duration of perched water levels occurred within 4 H of the windbreak. Despite this, the windbreaks had no effect on the regional ground-water levels.