Environmental Hedgerow Survey
ENVIRONMENTAL SURVEY OF HEDGEROWS
Introduction
A hedgerow is defined as ‘a line of one or more woody species, which may contain gaps, and includes associated vegetation of adjacent banks, ditches and/or field margins’ (http://www.hedgelink.org.uk). Hedgerows are one of the most characteristic features of the British countryside. Of great importance visually, culturally and historically, they provide a rich habitat for many of our native species of plants and animals.
Over the years hedgerows have suffered as farming and land use practices have changed. The total length of hedgerows decreased by 28% in Britain between 1945 and 1974 (Vincent, 1990). This was followed by a net loss of 23% hedgerows (about 130,000 km) between 1984 and 1990. Between 1978 and 1990 on average one plant species was lost from each 10 metres of hedge, an 8% loss of plant species diversity (Department of Environment, 1994). Hence, ancient and species-rich hedgerows have now been identified as ‘priority habitats’ (The UK Biodiversity Steering Group, 1995). Research and action to protect these features of great importance is now a national priority. Many of the wildlife organisations are at present actively involved in species recording and drawing up action plans for the protection and preservation of hedgerows.
Walmgate Stray is a remnant of York 's historic landscape. It covers the marshy area of Low Moor and two sections either side of The Retreat. Walmgate Stray is an area of around 32 hectares (79 acres) of open pasture, of which part is the ancient common of Low Moor, which was enclosed in 1757 but probably has its origins in the 13th century or earlier. Following the abandonment of small, isolated parcels of common land elsewhere in Walmgate Ward, additions were made to the area of Walmgate Stray during the 1820s. Walmgate Stray contains a range of archaeological features surviving as earthworks dating from the medieval period to the Second World War
Introduction
A hedgerow is defined as ‘a line of one or more woody species, which may contain gaps, and includes associated vegetation of adjacent banks, ditches and/or field margins’ (http://www.hedgelink.org.uk). Hedgerows are one of the most characteristic features of the British countryside. Of great importance visually, culturally and historically, they provide a rich habitat for many of our native species of plants and animals.
Over the years hedgerows have suffered as farming and land use practices have changed. The total length of hedgerows decreased by 28% in Britain between 1945 and 1974 (Vincent, 1990). This was followed by a net loss of 23% hedgerows (about 130,000 km) between 1984 and 1990. Between 1978 and 1990 on average one plant species was lost from each 10 metres of hedge, an 8% loss of plant species diversity (Department of Environment, 1994). Hence, ancient and species-rich hedgerows have now been identified as ‘priority habitats’ (The UK Biodiversity Steering Group, 1995). Research and action to protect these features of great importance is now a national priority. Many of the wildlife organisations are at present actively involved in species recording and drawing up action plans for the protection and preservation of hedgerows.
Walmgate Stray is a remnant of York 's historic landscape. It covers the marshy area of Low Moor and two sections either side of The Retreat. Walmgate Stray is an area of around 32 hectares (79 acres) of open pasture, of which part is the ancient common of Low Moor, which was enclosed in 1757 but probably has its origins in the 13th century or earlier. Following the abandonment of small, isolated parcels of common land elsewhere in Walmgate Ward, additions were made to the area of Walmgate Stray during the 1820s. Walmgate Stray contains a range of archaeological features surviving as earthworks dating from the medieval period to the Second World War
References: Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) for Hedgerows http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=5155 Defra Hedgerow survey methods https://vle.york.ac.uk/@@/D16D814A694A2579E51D7FF844BFA750/courses/1/YOPEN-000797/content/_587477_1/hedgerow-survey-handbook.pdf. Department of Environment (1994). Biodiversity - The UK Action Plan. HMSO. ISBN 0-10-124282-4. OPAL Biodiversity survey, http://www.opalexplorenature.org/BiodiversitySurvey. The UK Biodiversity Steering Group (1995). Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report – Volume II: Action Plans. HMSO London. ISBN 011-7532282 Vincent P. (1990). The Biogeography of the British Isles. An introduction. Routledge, London. 315pp. ISBN 0-415-03470-1.