Page 16 - Conservation Impact Report 2016

Hedgerows, farmland and rough grassland
Conservation Status
8.9 million hectares (68%) of England is actively farmed
land35. Farmed land is an important habitat for native
wildlife. Birds, small mammals and invertebrates can
all thrive in agricultural systems. However, since the
Second World War farming practices have significantly
changed in response to domestic and global market
forces and advances in technology. This has resulted in
the decrease in the number of mixed farming systems;
the move from spring to autumn and winter sown
arable crops; the switch from hay to silage production;
increased mechanisation (contributing to hedgerow
loss) and increased pesticide and fertiliser use.
These changes have contributed to the loss of suitable
nesting and feeding habitats for farmland birds and
a general reduction in the availability of seed and
insect food, and a decrease in invertebrate biomass.
Between 1970 and 2013 the national populations of
corn bunting, tree sparrow, skylark and yellowhammer
declined by 91%, 90%, 62% and 54% respectively36.
BBOWT manages 78 hectares of farmland: of which 99% is in a
favourable or recovering condition. We also advise numerous
farmers on practices that may promote wildlife.
BBOWT manages 57 hectares of rough and improved grassland,
of which 98% is in a favourable or recovering status.
15
Hedges provide an important corridor for many wildlife
species, such as bats and dormice to travel across the
landscape. Many species of bird and insect also use
hedgerows as a primary habitat (to live in or on, rather
than simply travel through). The network of hedges at
Bernwood Meadows support a range of wildlife, but
of particular note are populations of black and brown
hairstreak butterflies. These butterflies have a restricted
distribution across the UK, particularly the black
hairstreak which is found only in the south and east
midlands. Since the 1970s the brown hairstreak has
experienced a 43% contraction in its range37, partly as a
result of intensive hedgerow flailing, which destroys the
new blackthorn growth the caterpillars depend upon.
We manage 10 hectares of hedgerows: 100% of which are in a
favourable or recovering state.
Rough grassland is very important for a range of
species, including small mammals, invertebrates and
raptors. The structure of the habitat provides safe cover
for small mammals, particularly harvest mice, to nest
and forage for food. Research has suggested that the
harvest mouse population declined by 71% between
1979 and 1997 due to changes in farming practices
across the UK38.