Transcript Slide 1

The
ARABLE FARMLAND
Approach
Key elements
•Large-scale mosaic
•Open-grown mature and veteran
trees
•Ecotones (field boundaries)
Although hedgerows and arable field margins are the two priority
habitats most likely to be present, arable farmland is in fact a largescale mosaic composed of both priority and non-priority habitats.
This guide therefore focuses on this large-scale mosaic and the key
elements that go to make it up.
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•Flower-rich field margins
•Overwintered stubbles and wildbird cover
•Bare ground, skylark plots and
fallow plots
Management guides for this habitat
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Large-scale mosaic
This refers to the juxtaposition of different habitats within a landscape. For example, flower-rich
grassland, farm woodland, trees, scrub, rough grassland, and farm ponds found adjacent to arable
fields. Such mosaics are largely required by highly-mobile terrestrial species.
Hedgerows and field margins
provide important corridors linking
different habitats.
The non-priority habitats that can
play an important role in the arable
farmland mosaic include
overwintered stubbles and brassica
fodder crops that provide food for
birds, skylark plots and fallow plots,
winter cover-crops, and in-field
grass areas.
Key determining factors:
•Scale
•Management
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Photograph: Tony Robinson
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Large-scale mosaic – associated priority species
Many priority species on arable farmland are
associated with large-scale mosaics. Examples, with
their requirements, are:
- spring-tilled arable land; extensive open
short grassland, ideally damp with winter flooding
and abundant invertebrates.
•Brown hare - diversity of crops; cover in grass
tussocks, field boundaries etc; grazed pasture and
fallow grassland.
•Grass snake – mobile, not site restricted;
decomposing vegetation, crevices in warm spot
(egg-laying); fish and amphibians (prey); seminatural areas; non-intensive - untidy margins.
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Open-grown mature and veteran trees
These trees have unimpeded growth; they are not surrounded by other trees that limit side-branch
structure. Veteran trees tend to be large specimens with spreading crowns and thick boughs that are
exposed, or semi-exposed, to sunlight. Valuable resources in these trees include bark crevices, dead
bough ends, and heart rot.
Many species of invertebrate require
small cavities, so the trees do not
necessarily have to be ancient to be of
importance.
Key determining factors:
•Management - to maintain open
conditions; protection from ploughing,
ditching, pesticide/fertiliser drift.
•Time – continuity, with trees at all
stages of growth.
•Air quality – important for lichens.
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Photograph: Tony Robinson
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Open-grown mature and veteran trees
– associated priority species
58% of priority species in hedgerows on farmland are associated with open-grown mature and veteran
trees. Examples, with their requirements, are:
Tree sparrow – hedgerows; scattered scrub and trees; adjacent grassland; wetland-edge habitats
appear to provide invertebrate food of importance for adults that are feeding young.
Noctule bat - mature/old trees – predominately roosts in tree cavities (also known to roost in
buildings); forages above canopy and over water and pasture.
Heart moth – open-grown, mature oaks in lightly wooded environment; hedgerow trees.
Anaptychia ciliaris subsp. Ciliaris, a lichen - mature open-grown trees; base-rich bark – maple, ash
and sycamore; no fertilizers; no shading by scrub.
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Ecotones (field boundaries)
In arable farmland important ecotones are hedgerows that grade from tall scrub through welldeveloped shrubs into tall-grass margins with herbs. Ecotones should not be severe; there should be a
gradual change from one habitat to the other. The wider and more varied the structure the better.
The ecotone should be herb-rich
and structurally complex, with
tussocks and sheltered bays. A
diverse range of species forming
the hedgerows can be beneficial.
Ditches adjoining hedges also need
to be considered.
Key determining factors:
•Succession.
•Disturbance – frequency of hedge
management.
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Photograph: Tony Robinson
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Ecotones (field boundaries) – associated priority species
Many priority species on arable farmland are
associated with ecotones. Examples, with their
requirements, are:
- hedgerows or scrub (nesting);
insect-rich grassland (chick feeding); seed-rich
areas (adult feeding).
•Hedgehog - lowland habitats - grasslands in close
proximity to woodland, scrub or hedgerows,
gardens, parks, amenity grasslands; abundance of
earthworms and invertebrates.
•Brown hairstreak - abundant blackthorn
(foodplant) in hedges, scrub, or woodland edges
that are not intensively managed; nectar sources.
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Flower-rich field margins
These are particularly favoured by invertebrates and certain birds species. It is important to note that
these tall swards are often required all year round, to provide a plentiful supply of nectar, pollen, foodplants, seeds, dead seed-heads and prey items.
Swards of common species, such as
umbellifers and yellow composites,
can still provide a very useful
resource.
Key determining factors:
•Disturbance – management by
cultivation or infrequent mowing
that retains some flower heads.
•Air/Soil/Water Quality – often
require low nutrient levels.
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Photograph: Marek Nowakowsi
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Flower-rich field margins – associated priority species
43% of priority species in hedgerows are associated with
marginal habitats. These are mostly areas of tall
grassland adjacent to the hedge. 23% of priority species
in arable field margins are associated with an abundance
of seeds and or invertebrate food, while some species
are dependent on flower-rich areas. Examples, with
their requirements, are:
- trees and scattered scrub; dry, warm, open
ground for feeding; weed/grass seeds and cereal grain.
•Harvest mouse - tall grass throughout the year;
bramble; rank swards.
•Red-shanked carder-bee - scrub edge and tussocks (to
nest in); tall-sward grassland; large-scale, flower-rich
sites.
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Overwintered stubbles and wild-bird cover
Stubbles left unsprayed and uncultivated over winter are particularly important as a source of seed for
farmland birds. Seed is also provided by wild-bird cover crops, which are left un-harvested. They are
mixtures of at least one cereal crop and one oil-rich crop, such as oilseed rape.
Brassica fodder crops, such as
stubble turnips, are also used by
seed-eating birds as livestock graze
the crop.
Key determining factors:
•Management by sowing and
cultivation.
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Photograph: Matt Willmott
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Overwintered stubbles and wild-bird cover – associated
priority species
A number of priority species in arable farmland are associated with overwintered stubbles and wildbird cover. Examples, with their requirements, are:
•Grey partridge - mosaic of bare ground (feeding), weedy stubble fields in winter, and long-sward
grass (nests); high density of invertebrates and seeds. Hedgerows, uncultivated margins and scrub
edge can provide suitable nesting and feeding conditions.
•Cirl bunting - scrub, gorse and bramble thickets or hedgerows (nesting); grassland - needs to be a
mosaic of tall and short swards; abundance of invertebrates and seeds; insects and grasshoppers
(chick feeding). Seeds are important in winter when weedy stubble fields are a key element.
•Yellowhammer - hedgerows or scrub (nesting); insect-rich grassland (chick feeding); seed-rich areas
(adult feeding).
•Sausage beard-moss - stubble in field margins; bare ground; neutral loams and clays.
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Bare ground, skylark plots and fallow plots
Repeated disturbance that removes vegetation creates areas of bare and sparsely-vegetated ground.
Bare ground invariably includes a scatter of early colonisers, many of which are food plants or provide
other critical resources such as nectar and pollen.
In arable farmland cultivated margins can
be created for rare arable plants.
Skylark plots are small patches in winter
cereal fields that are left uncropped, to
give skylarks access to the ground for
foraging during the nesting season.
Fallow plots are areas of at least one
hectare that are left fallow for groundnesting birds.
Key determining factors:
•Disturbance - management by
cultivation.
Photograph: Simon Duffield
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Bare ground, skylark plots and fallow plots
– associated priority species
A number of priority species in arable farmland are
dependent on bare ground or on the early-succession
habitats found in skylark and fallow plots. Examples, with
their requirements, are:
- mosaic of tall sward and short sward/bare ground;
prefer very open areas not enclosed by trees; mosaics of
crops, particularly spring sown; utilises bare or sparsely
vegetated ground for foraging.
•Brown hare - diversity of crops; cover in grass tussocks, field
boundaries etc; grazed pasture and fallow grassland.
•Pheasant’s eye – disturbed, well drained, dry chalk and
limestone.
•Grey carpet moth – flixweed (foodplant); field margins and
set-aside; bare ground; highly disturbed.
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Management guides
Conservation management on an arable farm
The farm wildlife handbook
A management guide for birds on lowland farmland
(Both available from RSPB conservation advice)
Natural England Technical Information Notes
Arable TINs ; Illustrated guide to hedgerow network restoration
Managing priority habitats for invertebrates (Buglife)
Cereal field margins , Ancient and species-rich hedgerows
Managing your land for bees (Bumblebee Conservation Trust)
Managing field margins, Managing hedges and edges
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Other guides
Conservation management advice for your arable business
Hedgerow management
Hedgerows for hairstreaks
Butterflies and farmland
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