Human Impact on Biodiversity

• Loss of hedgerow (and woodland)

  1. Leads to loss of biodiversity through the loss of habitat and food for many hedgerow species

  2. Impacts adversely on other species higher up the food chain

  3. Hedgerows act as wildlife 'corridors' facilitating movement and dispersal of many species

  4. Removal occurs to increase land available for agriculture and facilitate larger machinery
• Crop rotation


  • Planting of different crops in the same field over a period of years
  • Helps conserve soil fertility as different crops make different demands on soil nutrients
  • Can be particularly effective when nitrogen-fixing crops are part of the cycle
  • Reduces likelihood of pest build-up
• Hedgerow conservation and maintenance

  • Planting of new hedgerows and restoration/maintenance of existing ones
  • Hedgerows with a range of shrub and tree species provide a range of habitats and food sources
• Biodiversity-friendly hedgerow trimming


  1. Allowing hedgerow trees to grow to maturity at intervals

  2. Trimming on a 2-3 year rotation to allow flowering and berry production

  3. Trimming during late winter to avoid bird nests and allow berry development

  4. Maintaining a range of hedge heights and widths