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--- experiments:tree_and_hedge:start [2020/07/16 07:43]
rolf created
+++ experiments:tree_and_hedge:start [2020/07/20 14:12] (current)
jonas
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-====== Tree and Hedge ======
+====== Tree and Hedge - biodiversity in a small space ======
-No translation yet. Go to the **[[:de:experiments:tree_and_hedge:start|German Version]]**.
+//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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