Hedgerow HAP

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Hedgerow HAP

• LBAP Conference, 2008
• Workshop
• Ann Davies, Rob Wolton and Emily Ledder

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To recap

• New HAP name is just Hedgerows
• All hedgerows with gt80 cover of native trees and
  shrubs
• Revised targets see Appendix 9 of survey
  handbook
• Favourable condition now defined 5 attributes
  (size, integrity-gaps, undisturbed ground,
  non-natives, nutrient status) see Appendix 9 of
  survey handbook
• Published new edition of Hedgerow Survey Handbook
  in April 2007 http//www.defra.gov.uk/farm/environ
  ment/landscape/documents/hedgerow-survey-handbook.
  pdf

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This year, our focus is on

• Enhancing agri-environment schemes
• Improving advice for farmers and advisers
• Encouraging more local hedgerow surveys
• Commissioning research in key areas
• Better communication with LBAPs and others
• Reporting progress on targets

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BIGs and all that

• We welcome the proposal for Hedgerows to be part
  of the Lowland Farmland Biodiversity Integration
  Group (BIG), since this will help to deliver
  landscape scale benefits, more sustainable
  solutions and facilitate climate change
  adaptation
• But, we are keeping the Hedgerow HAP Steering
  Group going since we believe this to be a strong,
  effective, partnership
• All four countries want it to continue to be a UK
  Steering Group, led by Defra
• We now have increased responsibility for species
  like the hazel dormouse (more later)

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Targets 1 8 1. Maintain net extent of
hedgerows8. Increase net length of hedgerows by
800km pa between 2005 and 2010

• We await results of Countryside Survey 2007
• In England we are worried about decline in hedge
  laying and planting following introduction of
  Environmental Stewardship in 2005
• Q A on hedgerow planting produced
  http//naturalengland.communisis.com/naturalenglan
  dshop/docs/NE70.pdf
• We are hoping to introduce an ELS with capital
  items such as hedge laying and planting more
  below

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Targets 2 72. Maintain number of isolated
hedgerow trees7. Increase number of young
hedgerow trees to 40,000 by 2010 and
80,000 by 2015

• Countryside Survey 2007 will reveal current
  picture in Britain
• Research commissioned to develop population
  models and to define ecological and landscape
  value
• Tree Council arranged hedgerow tree conference
  and continues to promote tagging
• Produced QA hedgerow tree leaflet
  http//naturalengland.communisis.com/naturalenglan
  dshop/docs/NE69.pdf

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Target 3Ensure hedgerows remain as rich in
native woody species

• No specific action underway
• Some concern about loss of ramblers and creepers

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Target 4Achieve favourable condition of 35 of
hedgerows by 2010 and 50 by 2015

• Only 22 in Britain in 2000, without considering
  nutrient enrichment
• Countryside Survey will be informative
• Local surveys suggest gaps and undisturbed ground
  are big issues
• Cross compliance and Environmental Stewardship
  are main remedies in England
• Hedgerow management film produced (more later)

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Target 5Reduce proportion of land managers who
trim hedges annually to 60 by 2010

• Target achieved 42 in 2006
• ELS in England has been big incentive about one
  third of all hedgerows in scheme
• Research commissioned to get better information
  on comparative benefits of 2 3 year cutting
  cycles, and raising cutting height each year.
• Research planned on changing farmer attitudes
• QA on hedgerow cutting has proved very popular
  http//naturalengland.communisis.com/naturalenglan
  dshop/docs/NE36hedgecutting.pdf Our thanks to
  LBAP coordinators for help with distribution

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Target 6Halt further decline in condition of
herbaceous hedgerow flora

• Nutrient enrichment is the big problem
• Cross compliance should be helping in England
• But loss of set-aside may be an issue
• Research into techniques for restoration of
  hedgerow flora pending
• Countryside Survey 2007 will establish baseline

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Local Hedgerow Surveys

• Survey of surveys underway - report available
  soon on Hedgelink website
• Many excellent local surveys now completed, with
  Defra grant-aid. Reports, and summary report
  forms, will be placed on Hedgelink website
• Further 8 surveys underway this year
• 1. BTCV - Species Rich and Ancient Hedgerows in
  the Canterbury Area
• 2. Cumbria Biodiversity Partnership - Cumbria
  Hedge Survey
• 3. Bromley Borough - Darwins Hedgerows
• 4. Cheshire FWAG - Shocklach Ancient Hedge Survey
• 5. Devon FWAG - Devon Hedgerow Survey Project
• 6. Exmoor National Park - Celebrating Exmoor's
  Hedges
• 7. Bedfordshire CC - Chalk Hills Hedgerow Study
• 8. Three Valleys - Hedgerows of the Moss Valley

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Linking habitats and species

• With added responsibility for SAPs, we need to
  understand better the dependency of priority
  species on hedgerows.
• We have started to analyse links
• For example, 21 priority bird species use
  hedgerows, 13 as a primary habitat. For all 13
  the condition of hedgerows is a limiting factor,
  and all but 2 are widespread.
• 16 out of the 19 farmland bird indicator species
  in England are associated with hedgerows, 10 as a
  primary habitat.
• Now we need to do mammals, insects, plants, etc,
  and then identify a short list of those species
  where action from us is required

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Environmental Stewardship Review of Progress
(England)

• Undertaken to check how Environmental Stewardship
  performing
• Improvements to existing options and new options
  identified
• Phase 1 introduced with new handbooks end August
  2008
• Phase 2 planned for 2010

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Phase 1 Changes to existing Entry Level
Stewardship (ELS) options EB1 and EB2 Hedgerow
Management

• No cutting period extended by one month from 31
  July to 31 August
• Minor changes to tighten up eligibility criteria
  and make prescriptions clearer

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Phase 2 New ELS options for 2010

• Protection of hedgerow trees, including tree
  tagging
• Maintenance of earth banks
• ELS Plus addition of capital works (hedge
  laying, planting, etc)

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Hedgelink

• New identity for the HAP group and its activities
• Improved communication and access to information
  and resources
• Website under construction www.hedgelink.org.uk
• Will link to BARS
• We welcome feedback, suggestions about content,
  and suggestions for improvement

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A cut above the rest

• This hedgerow management DVD launched at Royal
  Show and presented to HRH Prince of Wales
• Designed to help farmers and advisers understand
  the hedgerow cycle, to read hedgerows, and to
  make informed management decisions
• Partnership between CPRE, Defra, National
  Hedgelaying Society, Natural England, RSPB and
  The Tree Council
• Clips can be viewed on www.hedgelink.org.uk, and
  DVD available free from enquiries_at_naturalengland.o
  rg.uk, phone [phone]

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A cut above the rest