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experiments:tree_and_hedge:start [2020/07/16 07:43]
rolf created
experiments:tree_and_hedge:start [2020/07/20 14:09]
jonas
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-====== Tree and Hedge ======+====== Tree and Hedge - biodiversity in a small space ====== 
 + 
 +//Hedges: Linear strip of shrubs and trees, habitat for many animal and 
 +plant species// 
 + 
 +===== Hedges and field shrubs ===== 
 + 
 +Hedges and field shrubs are valuable elements of cultural landscapes because they not only 
 +provide a splash of colour in agricultural areas, but also offer retreats and food for animal 
 +species such as wild bees, yellowhammers, goldfinches, chaffinches, partridges, dormice, 
 +rabbits, lizards and many more in a small area. Already in the Middle age, hedges were 
 +created and used for fencing and protection of arable land, e.g. for the production of animal 
 +food and firewood or to use the fruits of many hedge plants. 
 + 
 +Hedges differ in species composition, size, and structure. Well-developed hedges often 
 +consist of three zones with typical animals and plants: 
 + 
 +  * the core zone of larger shrubs with scattered trees, 
 +  * the mantle zone with smaller shrubs and 
 +  * the hem zone with grasses and herbaceous plants. 
 + 
 +Typical plant species of the core zone are hazel, rowan, blackthorn or hawthorn, in the 
 +mantle zone species like dog rose, honeysuckle or blackberry can be found (see figure 1). In 
 +the mantle zone, light-loving flowering plants such as rain fern and wild field herbs can be 
 +found. A hawthorn hedge can also be found here on the outdoor area of the Green FabLab. 
 + 
 +===== Typical hedge plants ===== 
 + 
 +^{{:experiments:tree_and_hedge:abb1.png?direct&800|Figure 1}}^ 
 +|Fig 1: Typical hedge plants that provide food for insects and birds in the form of flowers and fruits (from left to right: hawthorn (//Crataegus monogyna//), red dogwood (//Cornus sanguinea//), black elder (//Sambucus nigra//) and dog rose (//Rosa canina//)).| 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 +===== The hedge - treasure for biodiversity and mankind ===== 
 + 
 +Humans influence ecosystems in many ways, and the effects of human activities on 
 +biodiversity and on nutrient cycles (e.g. on nutrient cycles through the use of economic 
 +fertilizers, and on the coal cycle through the use of fossil fuels and the associated climate 
 +change) are particularly challenging. Hedges can be useful for both challenges. Many studies 
 +have shown: Hedges influence the site conditions on adjacent arable land predominantly 
 +positive (Figure 2). Hedges and field shrubs offer many benefits, not only in the past they 
 +provided important raw materials (wood, hedge snip). They provide wind protection, this is 
 +especially important when the soil is not yet covered with crops, in order to avoid loss of 
 +fertile arable land (Figure 3). 
 + 
 +Right next to the hedge, yields may be somewhat reduced by root competition. This root 
 +competition effect can be reduced by placing the hedge on a wall. The positive effects on 
 +agricultural yields depend on the distance from the hedge. A positive influence on soil 
 +moisture and precipitation is possible up to a harvest that can be many times the height of 
 +the hedge. 
 + 
 +insert photo Fig2* insert photo Fig3** 
 + 
 +Ecosystem services are defined as direct and indirect contributions of ecosystems to human 
 +well-being. This refers to services or goods that directly or indirectly provide economic, 
 +material, health, or cultural benefits for people (TEEB, 2016). Ecosystem services are assigned 
 +to four categories: Basic support services, utility services, regulatory services, and landscape 
 +services. 
 +cultural achievements. Examples of ecosystem services of hedges are shown in Figure 3. 
 + 
 +sources: Naturkapital Deutschland - TEEB DE, 2016. ecosystem services in rural areas - the 
 +basis for human well-being and sustainable economic development. Conclusions for decision 
 +makers. Leibniz University Hannover, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, 
 +Leipzig). 
 + 
 +*Abb 2: PosiMve effect of the hedge on growth conditions on adjacent areas (adapted 
 +according to TEEB 2016) 
 +**Fig. 3: Ecosystem services of hedges: multiple benefits of hedges for humans
  
-No translation yet. Go to the **[[:de:experiments:tree_and_hedge:start|German Version]]**. 
  
  
experiments/tree_and_hedge/start.txt · Last modified: 2020/07/20 14:12 by jonas