| Tayside Biodiversity - Tayside
Biodiversity Action Plan - Farmland - Hedgerows and
Treelines |
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ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
Poor management of hedgerows is a contributory factor in the decline of the length
and quality of hedgerows in Tayside. A recent survey of farmers in England suggests
that hedges are not managed to best effect and anecdotal information
suggests the same is true of hedgerows in Tayside. In England 80% of hedges were
trimmed annually although most land managers were aware that less frequent trimming
is better for wildlife. Only 6% of hedges were trimmed in January / February
the recommended month for carrying out work.
The greatest variety of birds will be found in dense hedges at least 2m tall,
although for birds to breed successfully hedges need to be 1.4m tall and at least
1.2m wide so that nests can be hidden from predators. A good mix of shrub
species will provide winter food for a variety of birds, provided the hedges
are trimmed every second year and in late winter. Hedges also provide cover for
flocks of finches feeding on winter stubble. Tall roadside hedges on upland
habitats and grassland will also deter Barn owls flying into the path of traffic. |
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CURRENT FACTORS
CAUSING LOSS OR DECLINE
Field enlargement
has been the main factor resulting in loss of boundary features.
Current economic factors in farming mean that the majority of new hedge planting
will be carried out only with financial assistance.
The almost universal use of stock fencing as a means of retaining stock has
meant that hedges as stock-proof barriers are no longer necessary and therefore
may be lost.
The majority of farmland hedges are cut on a yearly basis, generally in late
summer. This management results in a gradual decline in the quality of hedgerows
as well as greatly reducing the number of berries left as food for birds throughout
the winter months.
Farm operations can often have an impact on hedgerows. Spray drift and fertilisers
in hedge bottoms can often encourage undesirable species such as Cleavers Galium
aparine. Ploughing too close to the hedge can damage roots thus weakening plants
and hedgerow trees.
Lack of replacement of fallen hedgerow trees. |
Case
Study
Cockerstone Farm
Cockerstone Farm is a mixed farm
7 miles northwest of Perth. The 131 hectare farm has a range
of
livestock and arable crops. It is part of the SNH / Eagle
Star Strathord Estate Initiative, a project set up to demonstrate
good practice in the creation and management of on-farm
habitats for conservation.
It was agreed that the farm would provide an opportunity
to demonstrate how an agrienvironmental
scheme could benefit an average family farm and to test
different management options and prescriptions which could
inform future replacements for existing schemes. The project,
starting in late 2002, will also look at alternative methods
and criteria for the payment to farmers for environmental
management and any training requirements that may be required
to achieve this.
One of the aspects the project will focus on is hedgerows
and their management. As part of the scheme
360m of old ‘gappy’ hedge will be coppiced
to provide young vigorous stems to rejuvenate the hedge.
Other work will include 450m of new hedge planting. Different
techniques of establishment and management will be tried
and demonstrated. |
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MAIN THREATS
TO KEY SPECIES
| Bat spp. |
Loss and fragmentation of hedgerows,
especially hedge ‘flyways’ and wildlife corridors.
Removal of mature trees used as roosts. |
| UK Importance of Tayside
population: |
moderate |
| Song thrush |
Removal of mature trees leads to
loss of song posts and territory boundaries.
Reliant on a good source of food throughout the winter, especially
insects, berries and fallen fruit. |
| UK Importance of Tayside population: |
moderate |
| Linnet |
Inappropriate hedge
management will remove hedge-top perches the birds use during breeding.
Winter flocks rely on ground feeding in fields; during the summer
they rely on hedges for insects. |
| UK Importance of Tayside population: |
moderate |
| Tree sparrow |
Loss of nesting sites when mature
trees are removed or hedges over-trimmed.
Winter flocks rely on ground feeding in fields; during the summer
they rely on hedges for insects. |
| UK Importance of Tayside population: |
moderate |
Native Tree spp. (inc. oak, ash,
holly
and hawthorn) |
Damage to tree roots
because of ploughing too close to hedges.
Inappropriate hedge management damages health of hedge and destroys
young standard trees.
Inappropriate removal of standing dead wood or tidying away of
fallen trees from field corners. |
| UK Importance of Tayside population: |
small |
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OPPORTUNITIES
AND CURRENT ACTION
The Rural Stewardship Scheme (RSS) introduced in 2001 to replace the Countryside
Premium Scheme includes options for:
the planting of
new hedgerows
management of existing hedgerows
management of extended hedges |
The Scheme, given adequate funding, provides the best opportunity to improve
the amount and quality of hedgerows throughout Tayside.
If agreement holders under the previous Countryside Premium Scheme are given
the option of continuing the positive management of options they have already
started (including hedgerow creation and management), the biodiversity benefits
will continue.
Both FWAG and SAC employ advisers who can provide farmers with advice on how
to manage hedgerows for biodiversity. Some of this advice is available free of
charge to the farmer or landowner. |
OBJECTIVES AND
TARGETS
Objectives |
Targets |
1 |
Prevent further decline in the
length and quality of hedgerows and treelines in Tayside. |
No decline in length and quality
of hedgerows after 2010. |
2 |
Identify the true extent and quality of
hedgerows in Tayside. Monitor hedgerow loss as well as
levels of new planting. |
Identify and begin monitoring by 2005. |
3 |
Encourage appropriate management to maintain
and enhance hedgerow quality. Inform and educate farmers
and land managers as well as providing training to operators
carrying out hedge cutting. |
Set up regular training courses and a co-ordinated
awareness-raising programme by 2003. |
4 |
Aim to have a significant percentage of
hedgerows under good management by 2010. |
25% of hedgerows under positive management |
5 |
Restore past hedgerow lines and create new
hedges to link existing habitat features. Encourage the
use of agri-environment schemes to plant new hedges and
extended hedges where appropriate. |
Aim to have 50% of farms in Tayside entered
into an agri-environment scheme containing some new hedgerow
creation. |
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Stakeholders
| Landowners
(including commercial landowners), land managers, contractors,
road and rail consultants, advisory bodies, government
bodies, general public. |
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