Effects of hedgerow enhancement as a net zero strategy on farmland biodiversity: a rapid review [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]
In order to mitigate the effects of climate change, the UK government has set a target of achieving net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. Agricultural GHG emissions in 2017 were 45.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e; 10% of UK total GHG emissions). Farmland hedgerows are...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Emerald Publishing
2021-09-01
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| Series: | Emerald Open Research |
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| Online Access: | https://emeraldopenresearch.com/articles/3-23/v1 |
| _version_ | 1811195730846547968 |
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| author | Megan E. Tresise Pippa J. Chapman Mark S. Reed |
| author_facet | Megan E. Tresise Pippa J. Chapman Mark S. Reed |
| author_sort | Megan E. Tresise |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In order to mitigate the effects of climate change, the UK government has set a target of achieving net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. Agricultural GHG emissions in 2017 were 45.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e; 10% of UK total GHG emissions). Farmland hedgerows are a carbon sink, storing carbon in the vegetation and soils beneath them, and thus increasing hedgerow length by 40% has been proposed in the UK to help meet net zero targets. However, the full impact of this expansion on farm biodiversity is yet to be evaluated in a net zero context. This paper critically synthesises the literature on the biodiversity implications of hedgerow planting and management on arable farms in the UK as a rapid review with policy recommendations. Eight peer-reviewed articles were reviewed, with the overall scientific evidence suggesting a positive influence of hedgerow management on farmland biodiversity, particularly coppicing and hedgelaying, although other boundary features, e.g. field margins and green lanes, may be additive to net zero hedgerow policy as they often supported higher abundances and richness of species. Only one paper found hedgerow age effects on biodiversity, with no significant effects found. Key policy implications are that further research is required, particularly on the effect of hedgerow age on biodiversity, as well as mammalian and avian responses to hedgerow planting and management, in order to fully evaluate hedgerow expansion impacts on biodiversity. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T00:47:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4338bb3a0a884a9e92c6626582072606 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2631-3952 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T00:47:58Z |
| publishDate | 2021-09-01 |
| publisher | Emerald Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Emerald Open Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-4338bb3a0a884a9e92c66265820726062022-12-22T03:54:48ZengEmerald PublishingEmerald Open Research2631-39522021-09-01315397Effects of hedgerow enhancement as a net zero strategy on farmland biodiversity: a rapid review [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]Megan E. Tresise0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7641-1792Pippa J. Chapman1https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0438-6855Mark S. Reed2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8958-8474School of Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS29JT, United KingdomSchool of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS29JT, United KingdomThriving Natural Capital Challenge Centre - Department of Rural Economies, Environment & Society, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Edinburgh, EH93JG, United KingdomIn order to mitigate the effects of climate change, the UK government has set a target of achieving net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. Agricultural GHG emissions in 2017 were 45.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e; 10% of UK total GHG emissions). Farmland hedgerows are a carbon sink, storing carbon in the vegetation and soils beneath them, and thus increasing hedgerow length by 40% has been proposed in the UK to help meet net zero targets. However, the full impact of this expansion on farm biodiversity is yet to be evaluated in a net zero context. This paper critically synthesises the literature on the biodiversity implications of hedgerow planting and management on arable farms in the UK as a rapid review with policy recommendations. Eight peer-reviewed articles were reviewed, with the overall scientific evidence suggesting a positive influence of hedgerow management on farmland biodiversity, particularly coppicing and hedgelaying, although other boundary features, e.g. field margins and green lanes, may be additive to net zero hedgerow policy as they often supported higher abundances and richness of species. Only one paper found hedgerow age effects on biodiversity, with no significant effects found. Key policy implications are that further research is required, particularly on the effect of hedgerow age on biodiversity, as well as mammalian and avian responses to hedgerow planting and management, in order to fully evaluate hedgerow expansion impacts on biodiversity.https://emeraldopenresearch.com/articles/3-23/v1Rapid review hedgerows net zero farmland biodiversity climate change mitigationeng |
| spellingShingle | Megan E. Tresise Pippa J. Chapman Mark S. Reed Effects of hedgerow enhancement as a net zero strategy on farmland biodiversity: a rapid review [version 1; peer review: 2 approved] Emerald Open Research Rapid review hedgerows net zero farmland biodiversity climate change mitigation eng |
| title | Effects of hedgerow enhancement as a net zero strategy on farmland biodiversity: a rapid review [version 1; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_full | Effects of hedgerow enhancement as a net zero strategy on farmland biodiversity: a rapid review [version 1; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_fullStr | Effects of hedgerow enhancement as a net zero strategy on farmland biodiversity: a rapid review [version 1; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of hedgerow enhancement as a net zero strategy on farmland biodiversity: a rapid review [version 1; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_short | Effects of hedgerow enhancement as a net zero strategy on farmland biodiversity: a rapid review [version 1; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_sort | effects of hedgerow enhancement as a net zero strategy on farmland biodiversity a rapid review version 1 peer review 2 approved |
| topic | Rapid review hedgerows net zero farmland biodiversity climate change mitigation eng |
| url | https://emeraldopenresearch.com/articles/3-23/v1 |
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