Hedgerows and hedgerow networks in landscape ecology

Abstract

/ Hedgerows originated and coexist with agriculture. Their internal structure and species diversity vary widely with origin (planted, spontaneous, or remnant), farming practices in adjacent fields, and the refined art of hedgerow management. Most hedgerow species are forest-edge species, and apparently none is limited to hedgerows. Wide hedgerows composed of trees and shrubs appear to function as corridors for movement of many plants and animals across a landscape. The reduction of crop loss, by dampening pest population fluctuations with hedgerow predators, remains a hypothesis for study.Field microclimate downwind of a hedgerow is modified about 16 times the hedgerow height (h) for evaporation, and approximately 28 h for wind speed. A turbulent wind pattern with harsher microclimate is present at 6-8 h if a second hedgerow is nearby downwind~ Zones of higher crop productivity at 3-to 6-h downwind, and 2-to 6-h upwind of a second hedgerow may be expected. Overall, we expect little short-term difference in farm-field production with or without hedgerows.Evidence suggests that hedgerow networks, and especially their mesh size (of fields), exert a major control on many major landscape fluxes. Such fluxes include animal populations, wind speed, evapotranspiration and soil desiccation, soil erosion and nutrient runoff, species movement along network lines, and movement of field species across the network. In a relatively short period, the hedgerow ecosystem, with no unique species, has attained a metastable equilibrium, which is regulated by enormous human inputs.More than 20 economic roles of hedgerows are pinpointed. The roles, providing resources and protection of resources, are poorly known quantitatively. We conclude that hedgerows perform diverse functions for society and the farmer that are both economically and ecologically significant.One of the most prominent features in the moist temperate landscape is a hedgerow bordering a pasture or cultivated field. Agriculture and hedgerows apparently developed together, and today coexist over about 10% of our planet's land surface.

Assessing ecological habitat structure from local to landscape scales using synthetic aperture radar

“…In the resulting map, each hedgerow is represented by a polyline, the common way to represent hedgerows (Forman and Baudry 1984). In this case, only the location of hedgerows is available, but there is no information concerning the tree canopy width or its internal structure.…”

“…Furthermore, hedgerow structure (tree and shrub cover, width) is a major variable to determine habitat quality for plants and animals (Le Coeur et al, 2002). A recurrent question in landscape ecology is to determine the "forest" character of such hedgerow network landscapes (Forman and Baudry, 1984). Hedgerows where shade and humidity are permanent because of the vegetation density can be forest-like habitats for small, less mobile species.…”

Remnants of medieval field patterns in the Czech Republic: Analysis of driving forces behind their disappearance with special attention to the role of hedgerows

“…Green and Sears, 1994;Petit and Burel, 1998;Dover and Sparks, 2000;Hinsley and Bellamy, 2000;Maudsley, 2000;McCollin et al, 2000;Michel et al, 2006;Reif et al, 2008), including fauna that control agricultural pests (Marshall, 1988). Moreover, they are of high relevance to landscape connectivity (Forman and Baudry, 1984;Baudry et al, 2003;Molnarova, 2008) and also increase landscape heterogeneity (Hoobs, 1992;Quin and Burel, 2002), which not only provides ecological benefits but also has a positive influence on the visual quality of the landscape (Hunziker, 1995;de la Fuente de Val et al, 2006). While some authors connect the definition of hedgerows with their management, which prevents them expanding into adjacent fields (Pollard et al, 1974;Barr and Gillespie, 2000;Baudry et al, 2000), other authors admit more or less spontaneous growth (Forman and Godron, 1986;IDF, 1995).…”

Assessment of hedge stand types as determinants of woody species richness in rural field margins

“…The general definition of a hedgerow is a row of woody plants, including hedge and herbaceous species, that separates adjacent fields (Pollard et al 1974, Forman & Baudry 1984 and is managed to some degree (Baudry et al 2000). In this study we adopted a definition based on several sources (Bidese & Peruffo 1993, Bickmore 2002 and define hedgerows using the following criteria (Tab.…”