Biodiversity Management Resources
Conservation and protection of farmland wildlife and habitats is an important
dimension of environmental sustainability. In order of priority, decisions about the management of wildlife habitats should aim to:
- Retain
- Enhance
- Create
Prioritised Guidance for Management of Farmland Wildlife Habitats
Retain what you have
Retain existing wildlife areas. These habitats
have highest value for farmland wildlife e.g.
native woodlands, ponds, wetlands, species-rich
grasslands, marshland, as well as hedgerows and
field margins. Old buildings can be important
roosts for birds and bats.
Enhance degraded farmland habitats trough improved management
Increase the quality of existing farmland habitats
to improve the wildlife value of a farm. Native
grasslands and heathland areas can be improved
through appropriate grazing. Control invasive
species. Allow hedgerows to grow tall (for farmland
birds) and flower (for pollinators). Prevent spray
drift onto field margins, hedgerows, ponds,
wetlands and waterways.
Only consider habitat creation after existing habitats have been retained or enhanced
Newly created habitats usually have a lower
wildlife value than existing habitats. However,
in areas with very little existing habitats, the
creation of farmland habitats can help e.g. new
hedgerows, field margins, pollinator strips, native
woodland, wildbird seed mixes etc.
Do not locate new wildlife habitats on existing habitats
Placing newly created habitats (e.g. pollinator
strips, wild bird cover, woodland) on existing
habitats (species-rich grasslands, heathland)
typically results in a net loss of biodiversity.