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====== 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.

^{{:experiments:tree_and_hedge:abb2.png?direct&0x600|Figure 2}}^{{:experiments:tree_and_hedge:abb3.png?direct&0x600|Figure 3}}^
|Fig. 2: Positive 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|

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 Center for Environmental Research - UFZ,
Leipzig).
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