Abstract

Agri-environmental schemes (AES) are the principal vehicle for mitigation of wildlife habitat losses in the UK’s farmed environment. In the past planting (and restoration) of hedgerows was a popular option, although now financial support is directed largely towards hedgerow management. How does planting of hedgerows maintain or enhance biodiversity? This study investigated the invertebrate abundance and diversity (measured at the Order level and as an assemblage) of mature and new hedgerows (planted under AES) at four Lincolnshire farm sites. The invertebrate fauna of the hedge bottom (grassy) and hedge canopy (woody) were sampled using sticky trapping and beating respectively. Hedgeless, grassy boundaries were included for comparison in the investigation of ground-active invertebrates. Differences were observed between the ground- and canopy-active invertebrate assemblages of mature and more recently established edgerow habitats, with the former being occupied by a larger diversity, but not necessarily greater number, of organisms.