Guidelines for hedge management to improve the conservation value of different types of hedge

Published source details Maudsley M.J., Marshall E.J.P. & West T.M. (2000) Guidelines for hedge management to improve the conservation value of different types of hedge. DEFRA report, BD2101.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Manage hedgerows to benefit wildlife (e.g. no spray, gap-filling and laying) Action Link
	Manage hedgerows to benefit wildlife (includes no spray, gap-filling and laying) Action Link

Manage hedgerows to benefit wildlife (e.g. no spray, gap-filling and laying)

A replicated, controlled study on seven arable and pastoral farms in England and Wales, UK (Maudsley, Marshall & West 2000) found that hedgerows cut in February had a lower abundance of butterflies and moths than hedgerows cut in September. Cutting in February rather than September reduced numbers of butterflies and moths (February: 33/plot; September: 65/plot). In 1996–1997, hedgerows on seven farms were assigned to replicated treatments (15–21 plots/farm) of different cutting times (cut in September or February) and cutting frequency (annual, biennial and triennial cutting, and uncut; results not presented). Data were obtained on the abundance of butterflies and moths in May and July within each hedgerow plot (methods and years not given).

(Summarised by: Andrew Bladon, edited from Farmland synopsis)
Manage hedgerows to benefit wildlife (includes no spray, gap-filling and laying)

A replicated study of hedgerows within seven arable and pastoral farms in England and Wales (Maudsley, Marshall & West 2000) found that cutting frequency and timing affected invertebrate numbers but not plant diversity. Abundance of individual invertebrate groups tended to decline with regular hedge cutting. However, although numbers of some taxa such as jumping plant lice (Psyllids) were higher in uncut sections, cutting increased others, notably herbivores and detritivores such as true bugs (Heteroptera; uncut: 4/plot; annual: 22-28; biennial: 15-23), beetles (Coleoptera; uncut: 4/plot; annual: 5-9; biennial: 8-13), springtails (Collembola) and thrips (Thysanoptera). Cutting in February rather than September reduced numbers of butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera; 33 vs 65/plot) and flies (Diptera; 82 vs 118/plot), but increased beetles (Coleoptera; 9-13 vs 5-8) the following summer. Cutting frequency (uncut, annual, biennial and triennial) and timing did not affect numbers of plant species in the hedge or hedge base. Hedge dimensions were greatest on annually cut hedges and smallest on those uncut. The longer the hedge was left between cuts, the more berries were produced (uncut, biennial, annual). Berry numbers were reduced with triennial cuts. Each hedgerow received replicated treatments (15-21) of each cutting frequency and timing. Data were obtained on the abundance of berries (autumn), shrubs, hedge-base flora and invertebrates (May and July) within each hedgerow plot. The same study is presented in Marshall et al. 2001.
Additional reference
Marshall, E. J. P., Maudsley, M. J., West, T. M. and Rowcliffe, H. R. (2001) Effects of management on the biodiversity of English hedgerows. 361-365 in: C. Barr and S. Petit (eds) Hedgerows of the World: Their Ecological Functions in Different Landscapes, International Association for Landscape Ecology, 10th Annual Conference of the International Association for Landscape Ecology. September 2001, Birmingham, UK.