Trees can increase overall farm productivitythrough the beneficial effects of shelter on pastures, crops andlivestock. Western Australian studies have shown the combinedproductivity of tree crops integrated with traditional agriculturecan be greater than for either component alone. Integrated farm forestry can make an aesthetically pleasing landscape,add to a farm's market value, and make it a more interestingand enjoyable place to live and work. Benefits for the environment By intercepting rainfall, and removing water from the soil, treescan prevent saline ground water rising to the surface, where itseffect on agricultural production and nature conservation is disastrous. About 2 million hectares of agricultural land in southernWestern Australia is already affected by salinity, and a further4 million hectares is threatened.
Trees can reduce waterlogging, and erosion caused by water andwind.
A windbreak can reduce wind speed across a paddock for adistance of 10 to 20 times its tree height. As well as providing an expanded habitat for wildlife, tree plantingscan be designed as buffer zones between agriculture and valuablenatural assets such as watercourses and wetlands. Intensive livestock industries with nutrient-rich effluent canuse the effluent profitably to grow trees and prevent the pollutionof water resources. The community derives many benefits from farm forestry. For example,environmental benefits help protect our resource base of soilsand water.