On shelterbelt design for combating sand invasion

After a review of the scarce literature on using trees against sand encroachment, a quantitative experiment with a wide shelterbelt to combat sand invasion is reported on. Experimental work was carried out at the northwestern border of the Gezira Scheme (Sudan), an area of severe land degradation and sand movement. Finally, a design of tree shelterbelts for protection against moving sand is discussed. The design suggested from what is known to happen windward of and within shelterbelts and from our experience, is a multi-row, long, wide, tall shelterbelt of low permeability, and with a canopy geometry appropriate for sand protection, without gaps, while its direction should be perpendicular to the prevailing wind. The species selected should have an optimal combination of high growth rate, long life span, high tolerance to existing hazards and byproducts of high economic value.