Why are hedgerows so important and what are Hampshire County Farms doing to protect and restore them?

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Hedges are a staple throughout the British countryside, lining farmers’ fields and marking boundaries. They play an important role in maintaining biodiversity and mitigating the effects of climate change amongst other things. Unfortunately, over the last 80 years, we’ve lost 50% of our hedgerows, but we’re working hard in Hampshire to protect and restore these precious plants. Read on to find out what hedgerows are, why they’re important, and what we’re doing to help.

What is a hedgerow?

A hedgerow is made up of several layers. The tallest of these is the tree layer which stands at least four metres high and offers shelter to birds, bats, and bugs. Below this is the shrub layer, made up of woody, multi-stemmed bushes, which are home to more birds and invertebrates. At the bottom is the base layer. Although the base of a hedge can be bare, dense vegetation provides refuge for small mammals, reptiles, and insects. The final layer is the margin, which is a small gap between the hedgerow and the field that it surrounds. This helps to protect the roots of the shrubs and trees.

Why are hedgerows so important?

Hedgerows are invaluable for much of our native wildlife and play a significant role in maintaining biodiversity. In fact, over 80% of farmland birds and one in nine of the UK’s most vulnerable species rely on them for food and shelter. Even livestock benefits from the shelter they provide. Studies have shown that they can improve the survival rate of lambs and minimise the spread of diseases among farm animals.

They also play a significant role in reducing the impact of climate change, storing up to 9 million tonnes of carbon. They also act as natural barriers against flooding and water pollution, assisting with water drainage and reducing the likelihood of things like pesticides and fertilisers from reaching rivers. This helps in farming too, as they reduce the risk of soil being eroded in high winds or washed away during heavy rainfall.

As well as this, historically, hedgerows have been used to mark land boundaries. In fact, there’s evidence of their use from as far back as the Bronze Age (2300-800 BC). Because of this, they’re also a connection to our cultural heritage.

What’s happened to our hedgerows?

Our hedgerows have been in decline since World War Two, with 50% of them lost due to things like changes in farming practice, urbanisation, and loss of specialist skills. As a result of this, we’re seeing a decrease in species of animals who rely on hedgerows for survival.

We rely on our wildlife to make sure we have enough food for everyone: invertebrates help pollinate crops and enrich soil, while mammals help keep pests away. Without them, farmers would struggle to produce enough food to feed us.

What are Hampshire County Farms doing?

We support our local farmers to care for the county’s hedgerows so that habitats for wildlife are kept safe. We’ve been working in partnership with our farm tenants and the countryside charity CPRE Hampshire to protect and restore Hampshire’s hedgerows. Alongside local volunteers, Richard, our tenant at Upper Brownwich Farm, has planted 2.11km of hedges across the estate.

We’ve also run training courses for our farm tenants and volunteers to learn more about biodiversity monitoring, and hedge planting and management.