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

Agroforestry has the potential to alter the microclimate under the tre e canopy. Over a 3 year period, several climatic variables were measur ed on a daily basis under a range of final tree stockings in the centr al North Island of New Zealand. There were substantial reductions in w ind run, increases in grass minimum temperatures and reductions in soi l temperatures as the tree stocking increased from 0 to 400 ha(-1). Se asonal effects were minor and extreme conditions rarely occurred that would affect livestock performance. The implications of extreme climat ic conditions and their effects on livestock are discussed.