Countrycare completes DEFRA Hedgerow Survey

In 2010 DEFRA launched a nationwide survey through which Epping Forest District Council’s countryside section, Countrycare, obtained a grant to survey Moreton, Fyfield and the Lavers. These parishes lie within the arable agricultural landcapes of West Essex where the density of hedges has decreased in recent decades due to agricultural practices and urban development pressures.

Conducting a hedgerow survey in this area also complimented the veteran tree survey already being conducted across the district. The survey area also lies within the core area of the a European funded Multi-For project for which Countrycare is working with the Woodland Trust, National Trust, Essex and Kent County Councils and four French authorities lead by the Pas de Calais amongst others.

The objectives of the survey were to asses the hedgerows within the specified parishes of the district to determine the distribution and condition of the hedges, identify the presence of species rich hedgerows, isolated trees and any veteran trees. The survey has just been completed and the results have been uploaded into the DEFRA database.

The information was gained by using both a census and random survey technique as set out in the 'Hedgerow Survey Handbook' 2nd edition 2007. Part of the survey included training volunter groups including the Epping Forest Tree Wardens in surveying methods and the importance of hedgerows within the landscape.

The results showed that three in ten of the hedgerows surveyed fulfilled all the criteria listed by DEFRA for a hedgerow to be considered in favorable condition. Seven in ten hedgerows fulfilled ten out of the eleven criteria, with most hedgerows failing because they were found to be nutrient enriched.

The information we have gained will be used to help Countrycare raise awareness with local landowners, farmers and community groups as to the importance of hedgerows as a source of biodiversity within the countryside. The data will also be used as evidence for the Local Development Framework, which is looking to include green infrastructure. It also contributes to achieving the aims of the Epping Forest Local Biodiversity Action Plan and the Essex Biodiversity Action Plan.

A full report on the hedgerow survey (pdf 48 KB).