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Boundary Features and Hedgerows
Hedgerows, walls or dykes and ditches are the three main types of boundary feature of potential conservation value associated with farmland in Scotland, although farm woodlands (chapter 6) are also important. Hedgerows in particular are an integral part of much of the lowland farmland landscape of central and southern Scotland. By the late 1980s it was estimated that about 19,500 km of hedgerows were still in existence in Scotland. Out of a UK total of about 450,000 km, the length of hedgerows which are ancient and/or species-rich has been estimated at a total of 190,000 km. Ancient hedgerows are relatively scarce in Scotland. Most boundaries prior to the late 18th century were marked by stone walls or turf banks, although some good examples of ancient hedgerows do occur in south and west Scotland, the Borders and Inverness-shire. Species-rich hedgerows, containing four or more native woody species in a 30 m length, are presumed to be ancient. Determining the exact distribution of such hedgerows is a key action.
Hedgerows are important habitats in their own right, but they are also important since they form the most significant wildlife habitat over large stretches of the Lowlands where they are an essential refuge for many woodland and farmland plants and animals. Over 600 species of plants, 1,500 of insects, 65 of birds and 20 of mammals have been recorded feeding or living in hedgerows at some point in their life cycle. An example of one of these plant species, the purple ramping-fumitory, is given in Box 5.7.
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Purple ramping-fumitory Species Action Plan |
box 5.7 |
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Purple ramping-fumitory is a wild flower of hedge-banks, arable land, waste ground and occasionally earthy sea cliffs. It favours sites which have recently been disturbed by animals or farm machinery or habitats opened up by summer drought. The species is endemic to Great Britain, Ireland and the Channel Islands and its conservation is viewed as a high priority. It is easily overlooked by botanists who are not familiar with it because of its similarity to other fumitory species. Consequently information on distribution and trends is limited, though it is clear that it has declined substantially in the last 50 years. Recent Scottish records are concentrated in the south-west (along the Solway) and in the Lothian and Border areas. The factors causing the decline are poorly understood but are thought to include the widespread use of herbicides and fertilisers and the destruction of hedge-banks and other field edge habitats. The main objectives of the Species Action Plan are to maintain the range and enhance the total population size of this species in the UK. One important key to this approach will be to ensure that all agri-environment project officers and advisors are aware of the current locations of this species, its importance, management requirements and potential threats. In particular, the Habitat Action Plan for this species should be closely linked with those for Cereal Field Margins and Ancient and/or Species-rich Hedgerows. |
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Since 1945 there has been a dramatic loss of hedgerows throughout the UK. Between the late 1940s and the late 1980s, the net loss of hedgerow length was estimated as 54 per cent in Scotland (see Box 5.5). This loss was the combination of outright removal and neglect. Neglect ranges from no cutting or layering (leading to the development of lines of trees with gaps) to over-frequent and badly timed cutting (leading to poor structure, death of shrubs and decreased wildlife suitability). The use of pesticides right up to the base of the hedgerow and damage by increased livestock numbers can also have important consequences for their conservation.
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Purple ramping-fumitory is found only in the British Isles, in hedge-banks and field margins and occasionally on sea cliffs |
The Ancient and/or Species-rich Hedgerows Habitat Action Plan aims to halt the net loss of species-rich hedgerows by 2000 and all loss of such hedgerows by 2005. In addition, it aims to achieve the favourable management of 25 per cent of species-rich and ancient hedgerows by 2000 and 50 per cent by 2005. The plan highlights the need for extending hedgerow protection to Scotland and for ensuring that local authority development plans, and especially Local Biodiversity Action Plans, contain policies to promote the protection and management of hedges. The provision of grant aid for management, restoration and establishment of hedgerows is an area for consideration, as well as exploring the possible role of economic outlets for produce of hedgerow management, such as fuel wood.
Opportunities for Action
Given the close association of all the above habitats and species with actively managed farmland, the major opportunity for action will undoubtedly be through the agri-environment programme. Indeed, many of these species and habitats have already been targeted for action within the Environmentally Sensitive Areas or the Countryside Premium Scheme and it will be vital to ensure that these aspects are carried forward and built upon within the new combined scheme. In addition, it will be important to ensure that any conservation action directed at these individual farmland habitats also takes into account the need to maintain the current mixed character of Scotland's lowland farmland landscape.
The semi-natural habitats (and many of the associated species) mentioned in this chapter have been identified as important components of sites that are designated as SSSIs in Scotland. Unfortunately, in some instances this has not necessarily been followed up by positive management or action aimed specifically at the features of interest. Whether in designated sites or not, there are some generic actions which can benefit farmland priority species and habitats. These include
Finally it is essential to recognise that the management decisions taken by farmers are influenced by a number of factors, all of which need to be taken into account if biodiversity action is to be undertaken successfully. Practical issues include the availability of machinery to improve targeting of chemicals, or the complexity of information concerning the right timing and quantities of chemicals to apply. Such issues are being explored in Scottish Natural Heritage's TIBRE (Targeted Inputs for a Better Rural Environment) Research and Development programme.
Financial considerations are also important; potential costs associated with yield reductions, and the expense of gaining conservation advice and implementing positive management, all have to be tackled if biodiversity is to benefit. Solutions lie in the provision of the right type of advice to the farming community, appropriate levels of financial support and incentive, and thorough research to provide a sound basis for advice. Survey and monitoring are also necessary. For many of the rarer habitats, the extent in Scotland is still unknown, and hence the inventory needs to be completed. Once known, monitoring will be needed to assess the success of the implementation of the Species and Habitat Action Plans. Only through a fully integrated approach will the future of Scotland's characteristic habitats and species of farmland and lowland grassland be secured.
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