Miles of ancient hedgerows have been removed to make way for
agriculture and development.
Hedgerows are thought of by many ecologists as an ecosystem
itself due to the range of biodiversity within. They provide a home for 80% of the
UK’s woodland birds, hedgehogs, many species of bats, great crested newt,
dormice and butterflies.
The re-planting of hedgerows is also thought to be important
in the battle against climate change due to their ability to pull carbon from
the atmosphere.
At this time of year especially, hedgerows provide nuts and
berries for all animals, and humans too!
Further benefits include flood prevention, soil protection
and shelter from wind and extreme weather for animals, crops etc.
There is currently government legislation in place to
protect hedgerows of key length, location or importance in England and Wales under
the Hedgerows Regulations 1997 and also the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The
requirements are quite specific so unfortunately not all hedgerows are
protected. We just need to keeping planting more so that they can be protected
eventually too!