Windbreaks are a valuable tool for managing farm and garden ecosystems, offering a multitude of benefits for wildlife, microbiology and soil health. Bright Way Ag. together with Synergia Ranch and NM Healthy Soil Working Group is taking part in a Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Grant, featuring big sacaton grass wind strips on arid range and farmland. Our hypothesis is that by reducing wind erosion, improving water retention, and fostering biodiversity, big sacaton windbreaks will play a key role in regenerating the soil. Let us look deeper into five potential benefits of these grasses on soil biology.
1. Reduction of Wind Erosion
Windbreaks help mitigate one of the most destructive forces on soil: wind erosion. High winds can strip away topsoil, the most nutrient-rich layer, and reduce the organic matter that supports microbial life. When windbreaks are planted perpendicular to the prevailing wind direction, it creates a barrier that slows down wind speeds and minimizes the risk of soil particles being blown away.
By reducing wind erosion, big sacaton protects the soil food web, a network of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes that are essential for breaking down organic matter and releasing nutrients back into the soil. In turn, the preservation of this vital ecosystem supports the healthy growth of plants by ensuring consistent nutrient availability.
2. Improved Water Retention and Infiltration
Soil structure is deeply influenced by biological activity, and windbreaks help maintain that structure by preventing the disruption caused by harsh winds. Big sacaton is known for its deep and extensive root system, which plays a critical role in enhancing soil porosity and improving water infiltration. The roots create channels that allow rainwater to penetrate the soil rather than run off the surface. Our goal is to reduce water erosion by installing windbreaks along contour lines and incorporating swales to capture the heavy rainstorms that happen during the monsoon season.
Increased water infiltration benefits the soil microbial communities by maintaining a more consistent moisture level. Healthy, moist soil supports the proliferation of beneficial organisms like earthworms and mycorrhizal fungi, both of which improve nutrient cycling. Earthworms aerate the soil and create tunnels that further enhance water movement, while mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, helping them access water and nutrients more efficiently.
3. Enhancement of Soil Organic Matter and Biomass Production
A thriving windbreak contributes organic matter to the soil in the form of decaying plant material. The leaves and stems of sacaton grass break down slowly, providing a steady source of carbon-rich organic matter that serves as food for soil organisms. Fungi, particularly, thrive in undisturbed soils rich in organic matter and play an important role in building stable soil aggregates. The biomass obtained from the windbreaks can be collected in the spring prior to the emergence of new shoots. This biomass can either be cut and left in the same spot to offer extra protection to the soil, or utilized on the farm as a material for composting or as mulch for garden spaces.
4. Promotion of Biodiversity
Biodiversity within the soil is a hallmark of a healthy ecosystem. Windbreaks that include big sacaton promote biodiversity both above and below the soil surface. The grass itself attracts various beneficial insects, which contribute to a balanced ecosystem by controlling pests and pollinating plants. Below the surface, the diverse root exudates from plants feed a wide variety of soil organisms. These exudates—sugars, amino acids, and organic acids—serve as food for soil bacteria and fungi. This interaction promotes the formation of a complex and dynamic community of microorganisms, which, in turn, supports plant growth by enhancing nutrient availability and disease resistance.
5. Support for Fungal Dominance
In many natural systems, a balance of fungi and bacteria is crucial for healthy soil. However, in agricultural settings, bacterial dominance often prevails due to frequent tilling and disturbance. These windbreaks encourage the establishment of fungal populations, especially mycorrhizal fungi, which form symbiotic relationships with plant roots. Fungal dominance is particularly beneficial in perennial systems like grasslands, where fungi contribute to long-term carbon storage in the soil and help build soil structure. Big sacaton, being a perennial species, supports this fungal presence, creating a more balanced and resilient soil biology that can withstand environmental stressors.
Conclusion
The purpose of our Western SARE grant is to show that implementation of big sacaton as a windbreak offers significant benefits for soil biology. We hypothesize that by reducing wind erosion, improving water retention, contributing organic matter, promoting biodiversity, and fostering fungal communities, these windbreaks will help create a thriving, regenerative soil ecosystem. We intend to show that for farmers, gardeners, and land managers focused on improving soil health and productivity, integrating windbreaks is a powerful step toward building a sustainable, resilient landscape.
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