MICROCLIMATE CHANGES UNDER PINUS-RADIATA AGROFORESTRY REGIMES IN NEW-ZEALAND

Agroforestry has the potential to alter the microclimate under the tree canopy. Over a 3 year period, several climatic variables were measured on a daily basis under a range of final tree stockings in the central North Island of New Zealand. There were substantial reductions in wind run, increases in grass minimum temperatures and reductions in soil temperatures as the tree stocking increased from 0 to 400 ha(-1). Seasonal effects were minor and extreme conditions rarely occurred that would affect livestock performance. The implications of extreme climatic conditions and their effects on livestock are discussed.