Plenty of people enjoy a walk in the great outdoors and nothing beats a blast of fresh air, the sound of birdsong and a walk in the countryside. For many of us, a walk includes getting close to nature and an opportunity to take a break from the pace of everyday life and hedgerows are an integral part of the experience, coming to life in the spring and a have for all manner of creatures too.
Often describes as the living threads of the British countryside, hedgerows quite literally weave through the fields, villages, and motorways, shaping the landscape and providing sanctuary for countless species.
Many hedgerows have been around for hundreds, if not thousands of years, and they have helped to define the landscape, especially in rural areas but today, these green corridors are under threat. The steady decline of hedgerows in the UK is not just a loss of scenery but also giving rise to a profound environmental crisis, with far-reaching consequences for biodiversity, farming, and even our efforts to combat climate change.
In the past hedgerows were planted for numerous reasons including defining boundaries for towns and villages as well as to outline ownership of agricultural land. Despite being introduced for practical reasons there were plenty of benefits, not least providing shelter for animals from the weather, protecting the land from soil erosion and providing a natural habitat supporting a diverse array of wildlife too.
Research has shown that across the UK over 2,000 species are known to depend on hedgerows for food, shelter and for breeding purposes including mice, hedgehogs, beetles and bats. Today, we are at an environmental crossroads as many hedgerows are disappearing due to modern day farming methods, urban development, neglect and removal for other purposes such as commercial activities associated with wind and solar farms.
It has been estimated that the UK has lost an estimated 50% of its hedgerows since the Second World War. The consequences are significant as their loss results in the species that depend on them struggling for survival. Birds such as the yellowhammer and linnet, once common sights in rural Britain, have become increasingly scarce. The absence of hedgerows also reduces biodiversity at a fundamental level, creating fewer opportunities for pollination, pest control, and nutrient cycling—services vital to the health of farmland and ecosystems.
Hedgerows are also important when int comes to the environment as they play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by capturing and storing carbon. Research has shown that well-managed hedgerows can sequester as much carbon per hectare as woodland, making them an essential tool in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. They also act as natural barriers against flooding, slowing water flow and helping to prevent soil erosion.
Without hedgerows, the countryside becomes more vulnerable to extreme weather events—a concern that grows more urgent in light of the UK’s increasingly unpredictable climate.
Efforts to address the decline of hedgerows are gaining momentum, but they face significant challenges. There are regulations in place that seek to protect existing hedgerows, requiring permission for their removal, yet enforcement can be patchy. Conservation groups like the People’s Trust for Endangered Species and The Wildlife Trusts have long campaigned for better management and restoration, but their work requires sustained funding and public support.
Public awareness also plays a crucial role. Hedgerows are part of the everyday scenery for many of us as we enjoy a walk outside but their loss can go unnoticed amid broader environmental concerns. However, campaigns that engage communities in hedgerow conservation—through initiatives like planting projects, science surveys, and school education programmes—could foster a sense of connection to these vital green corridors, and a greater awareness and understanding of the risks associated with their removal and loss from the landscape.
Ultimately, reversing the decline of hedgerows is about more than saving a specific feature of the countryside; it is about protecting the intricate web of life they support. It is about recognising that the health of our ecosystems, our farms, and even our planet depends on these unassuming yet vital hedges.
As you next walk through a countryside path lined with brambles, berries, and birdsong, consider the quiet importance of the hedgerow beside you. It is a reminder that some of the most vital elements of our environment are also the most fragile.
In a world where environmental crises feel overwhelming, protecting and restoring hedgerows offers a tangible way to make a difference—one hedge at a time.
