DSFAS: AGROFORESTRY FOR CLIMATE RISK MANAGEMENT: EFFECTIVENESS OF WINDBREAKS IN REDUCING CROP LOSS IN MIDWEST, USA

The primary goal of this project is to deliver new knowledge on the effectiveness of windbreaks in reducing wind-related crop damage using advanced econometric and machine learning techniques. The long-term vision of this project is to promote the broader adoption of windbreaks and other agroforestry practices where they might serve as nature-based solutions to mitigate climate risks.This project will examine the effectiveness and economic viability of windbreaks in reducing wind-related crop loss on agricultural land for four Midwestern states, i.e., Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota, and North Dakota, through the following objectives:Quantify windbreaks and tree cover on and around agricultural land using high-resolution landcover mapsDevelop predictive models to assess the effectiveness of windbreaks in reducing wind-related crop loss using econometric and machine learning algorithmsConduct spatiotemporal hotspot analyses to identify high need areas for windbreaks using spatial and machine learning techniques