Prior to the industrial revolution and large scale farming, most farmland was divided into smaller pastures separated by hedgerows, an aesthetically pleasing arrangement that protected farmers from livestock wander.
The hedgerows were planted with shrubs, berries, and trees arranged around a base of cut branches.
These quickly became impenetrable barriers, havens for birds, insects and native fauna.
Sadly, the industrial age has seen many of the hedgerows destroyed as farmland is converted into large open spaces separated by wire and wood fences.
Much of the fauna that formally lived in these destroyed hedgerows has been dispersed and finding no refuge, has perished.
The situation is becoming precarious, with growing numbers of native wildlife in the UK added to the list of protected species, hedgehogs join 'protection' list, prompting calls for more protection of hedgerows and a return to small pasture farming.
Further benefits of smaller pastures and hedgerows include their important role in preventing soil erosion from wind and heavy rains, and secondly by providing needed wildlife corridors for native fauna.
Thick hedgerows also support nesting birds keeping them safe from predators such as the domestic cat.
Supporters of a return to small pastures and hedgerows also point out traditionally constructed hedgerows are known to aid in weed control through capture of wind born seed that is largely incapable of germinating in the dense hedge undergrowth.
The same hedgerows also minimize pesticide drift, a major concern in large scale farming practices.
For more information on protecting our natural environment