New research shows importance of our existing hedgerows as well as newly planted hedges for carbon storage

A new piece of research carried out by the University of Leeds and University of Sheffield has shown the importance of our existing hedgerows as well as newly planted ones for carbon storage.

Key message – we need to look after our existing hedgerows as well as planting new ones!

The research suggests that hedges store on average 40 tonnes of carbon per hectare (C/ha) more than grassland fields (up to 50 cm depth; or 30 tonnes C/ha more up to 30 cm depth) across England but that the additional carbon is help in the light particulate organic matter fraction, associated with plant residues, and that this is quickly decomposed if the hedge is removed or allowed to disappear.

Click HERE to go to the article.