Soil erosion control and wind shelter
Jatrophas, because of their taproot and lateral roots, can play two important roles in soil preservation. Lateral roots protect soil from heavy rains and provide soil cohesion, decreasing soil erodibility (Reubens et al., 2011; Henning, 2009). The deep taproot extracts subsurface soil moisture and enhances vegetative cover or allows intercropping, even in very dry environments. Planting jatropha in lines to form contour bunds improves rainwater infiltration. Jatropha hedges reduce wind erosion by reducing wind velocity and by binding the soil with their surface lateral roots (Henning, 2009).
Live fence
Jatropha is used as a living fence in many tropical and subtropical countries. Jatropha leaves are not eaten by livestock: goats would die of starvation rather than browsing jatrophas. When jatropha is intended for live fences, jatropha cuttings are planted as a hedge to protect homes, gardens and fields from wandering animals. Hedges planted very close together (5 cm) form a barrier that is impenetrable even by chickens (Henning, 2009).