By Michelle Lewis and Simon Potts (University of Reading)
Hedgerows are everywhere – all those wonderful green veins running through our farmed landscape. They provide an amazing range of benefits. Hedges are habitats for wildlife and are used by many of our farmland bird species, and also act his corridors for things like bees and butterflies to travel through the countryside. They can also provide many other services, such as giving shade for cattle, improving soils, and acting as windbreaks, as well as being an iconic part of the great British countryside.
But what makes a really good hedge? This is the question that Michelle Lewis, a Masters student from the University of Reading, has been addressing this summer. We know that the diversity of species within a hedgerow, and particularly those that are native to the UK, are really important. However, there is increasing evidence that the ‘gapiness’ of hedgerows may also be a key determinant of how good they are for wildlife. So Michelle has been on a mission to look at a variety of hedges on the Leckford estate, measuring their ‘gapiness’ and also recording how much biodiversity can be found in hedges with no gaps compared to hedges with lots of gaps.
Leckford Farm, showing hedges of different types in the background
She has been busy counting butterflies and bumble bees in different types of hedges, recording the types of plants making up the hedge and covering the ground at its base. Michelle has also been collecting soil samples from under the hedges to see how much organic matter they contain. Though the project is still in its early stages, the first results suggest that hedges with fewer gaps may support a greater variety of bumble bees and butterflies
Two of the stunning pollinators Michelle recorded on her hedge surveys. Left, a bumble bee (Bombus lapidarius). Right, a European Comma (Polygonia c-album)
Once Michelle has analysed her soil samples, and all her other data, she will be able to tell us the full story on how important gaps, or lack of them, are for plant, pollinator and soil biodiversity. Watch this space!
So whenever you see a hedgerow, remember that it is much more than just boundary between fields, and is a place for wildlife to thrive, and has many roles to play in helping farming be more sustainable.
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