Hedgerows are essentially an agricultural feature of the landscape that can provide shelter for stock and crops and prevent soil erosion across fields by cutting down wind speed.
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Across the borough hedgerows can also provide a rich and varied wildlife habitat.
They offer shelter, a supply of food, and a route linking different habitats along which wildlife can travel.
They are also important in defining field patterns and contributing to the visual character of the landscape. |
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Hedgerows are particularly important for some of our farmland birds, including yellowhammer and bullfinch. The structure of a hedgerow will often influence the type of birds it supports and a variety of hedgerow types will, in turn, support a wide variety of birds.
They are also closely associated with a number of European Protected Species, notably dormice, most species of bat and great-crested newts.
However, within the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, hedgerows are recognised as being in need of conservation because of continuing losses in the length of hedgerow in the UK. The biggest cause of this loss is due to lack of appropriate management as opposed to deliberate removal.
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has produced a leaflet called Hedgerows – a guide to their management which sets out suggested guidelines for successful hedgerow management for wildlife. It also includes information on sources of grant funding towards hedgerow restoration.
The council works in partnership with the Hampshire Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) who can provide further site specific advice: hampshire@fwag.org.uk
