Windbreaks are key structural elements in the rural environment and affect the functionality
of landscapes in multiple ways. A broad interdisciplinary view on these functions
lacks in scientific literature and common knowledge. This led to under informed management
decisions, a decrease in the number of windbreaks in wide areas, and a subsequent
loss of landscape functionality. Therefore, the knowledge on windbreaks and associated
ecosystem services (ES) was systematically reviewed to guide the way for a holistic
comprehension of such structural landscape elements. We defined eight bundles of ES
on the basis of the Common International Classification of ES scheme. Search terms
that allowed to include only vegetative windbreaks consisting of at least one tree
row were combined with appropriate search terms for the eight ES bundles in individual
searches resulting in a total of 6094 hits. We considered only publications that provided
quantitative data and allowed to derive a clear effect of windbreaks on ES so that
222 publications from all over the world were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed.
The outcomes provide information about the dimension of effort, scientific consensus
or dissensus, and knowledge gaps in the different research disciplines involved. It
was shown that windbreaks bring predominantly positive effects to landscapes in the
course of all investigated ES bundles. Apparent positive effects were found for soil
protection, biodiversity and pest control, whereas for biomass production, nutrient
and water balance, also adverse or indifferent effects were reported. The present
review reveals an intense need for further interdisciplinary research using indicators,
ES approaches or similar instruments that enable quantitative and comparable statements
about the functionality of windbreaks in rural landscapes.
