Evaluating the efficiency of wind protection by windbreaks based on remote sensing and geographic information systems

Windbreaks are a major component of and play an important role in agroforestry ecosystems. One of the most important functions is to reduce wind erosion and protect crops from wind damage. In this study, we discussed a method to evaluate the efficiency of wind protection by a windbreak. First, we chose a windbreak model that was only related to the structural parameters of the windbreak. There were windbreak average widths (w), optical porosities (theta(o)), barrier heights (h) and distances from the barrier along the wind direction xh. Then, we established a method that was used to extract the inputs of the windbreak model by using remote sensing (RS) and a geographic information system (GIS). The windbreak average width (w) was extracted by using object-based image analysis with an average accuracy of 72.428%. The optical porosity (theta(o)) and barrier height (h) were estimated by using quantitative remote sensing technology with average accuracy of 86.9592% and 79.0497%, respectively. Finally, the efficiency of windbreak wind protection was evaluated by using this windbreak model based on RS and GIS technology. The results indicated that this windbreak model can be used to evaluate the efficiency of the wind protection of the windbreak by considering the properties of the windbreak itself. This study can provide a useful guide for studying the wind protection provided by windbreaks based on spatial and temporal scales using RS and GIS.