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To: Owen Paterson
Put Hedgerows and Ditches Back on the Landscape
Dear Minister,
Hedgerows are valued for the major role they have to play in preventing soil loss and reducing pollution, and for their potential to regulate water supply and to reduce flooding.
Hedgerows may even have a role to play in taking greenhouse gases out of circulation through carbon storage, if they are allowed to expand in size. Certainly any loss exacerbates climate change to some extent.
I plead: bring back hedge-laying, instead of flailing, as the preferred form of management as it helps valuable wildlife corridors.
Hedgerows are valued for the major role they have to play in preventing soil loss and reducing pollution, and for their potential to regulate water supply and to reduce flooding.
Hedgerows may even have a role to play in taking greenhouse gases out of circulation through carbon storage, if they are allowed to expand in size. Certainly any loss exacerbates climate change to some extent.
I plead: bring back hedge-laying, instead of flailing, as the preferred form of management as it helps valuable wildlife corridors.
Why is this important?
The recent flooding in Southern England and Wales has highlighted the need for a more holistic approach to flood management, rather than blocking with sandbags and concrete.
Reintroducing managed ditches to control standing water that work alongside hedgerows will also prevent soil erosion.
Not only will it create valuable habitats for the dwindling song bird population, it would help increase biodiversity as a whole, and create a more permanent source of sustainable employment through the reintroduction of traditional rural crafts.
Reintroducing managed ditches to control standing water that work alongside hedgerows will also prevent soil erosion.
Not only will it create valuable habitats for the dwindling song bird population, it would help increase biodiversity as a whole, and create a more permanent source of sustainable employment through the reintroduction of traditional rural crafts.
