THE EFFECT OF A WINDBREAK ON THE DEGRADATION OF SOIL AGGREGATES DURING THE WINTER SEASON

We have assessed the potential effect of a windbreak on the degradation of soil aggregates both on the leeward and windward sides. Soil samples were collected at the beginning and end of each winter season at a distance of 3-, 6- and 9-fold windbreak height. After collection, the samples Were subjected to aggregate analysis to establish the erodible and non-erodible fractions. The analyses also included evaluation of the effect of meteorological conditions on the soil aggregate degradation. The factors that were evaluated to determine the degradation of soil aggregates were: the action of water and subsequent freezing/thawing of the soil surface. The pressure of the freezing soil moisture followed by washing result in disintegration of soil aggregates into erodible fractions, Which in case of erosion-effective winds cause erosion events. Climatic data on the soil surface temperature and soil moisture state were obtained from the nearest professional station of the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (Kucharovice). For our study we selected a windbreak in cadastral area Tasovice nad Dyji The assessment was performed for three winter seasons, 2014-2015, 2015-2016 and 2016-2017.