The national litmus test for our hedgerow extent and health, the Countryside Survey, last took place in 2007.
Over the past year the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology has carried out an updated survey for Natural England as part of a report to evaluate the impact of agri-environment schemes on hedgerows in England.
Findings of the UKCEH report, An evaluation of Agri-Environment Scheme impact on hedgerows in England, include:
• There was no statistically significant change in the overall length of managed hedgerows in England between 2007 and 2023, which is estimated to have remained at around 400,000km.
• The proportion of hedgerows in good structural condition increased from 43% to 55% between 2007 and 2023. For hedgerows under AES the figure rose to 63.5%, compared to 46.8% for those outside such schemes.
• Hedgerow height generally increased between 2007 and 2023 with the majority of hedges now taller than two metres, rather than in the one to two metre category. Hedges under AES were slightly taller than those outside schemes.
• Many hedges have deteriorated in recent years due a lack of ongoing maintenance, resulting in gappy hedges or lines of trees.
• The diversity of plant species at the base of hedgerows has not improved.