Do windbreaks and terraces really reduce erosion?

The answer

Yes, in suitable places. Properly designed windbreaks reduce wind speed near the ground, and terraces shorten slopes and slow runoff, so both can cut erosion substantially. They are not cheap, they take years to mature or need maintenance, and they work best alongside ground cover. Poorly designed terraces can fail and cause worse gullying, and windbreaks can compete with crops along their edges, so local advice is valuable before investing.