Linear Biodiversity Habitats
Hedges, watercourses and field margins are important linear features that define the Irish farming landscape and provide food, shelter and movement corridors for our native wildlife. Linear Biodiversity Habitats featured in the June edition of the Teagasc Signpost e-newsletter. Find out more here
Linear Biodiversity Habitats are vital for biodiversity, and also provide other important benefits to farms such as shade and shelter for livestock, pollination, flood prevention, water quality protection and carbon storage. These benefits are commonly known as ecosystem services.
Farmers can take simple and practical actions to ensure that the linear biodiversity habitats on their farms provide for nature and their farms.
Managing Linear Biodiversity Habitats on your Farm
If you are unsure of where the best place to start is when it comes to the management of Linear Biodiversity Habitats on your farm try our self asessment tool
Biodiversity Management Practice Assessment Tool - Linear Habitats (PDF) 
A Guide to Habitats in Ireland (PDF)
Aquatic Habitats
Leaflets / Booklets
Hedgerow Habitats
Hedgerows give the Irish landscape its distinctive character and field pattern. They provide an important wildlife habitat especially for woodland flora and fauna. Increasing the variety of hedgerow types in terms of height, width, shape and species mix promotes diversity in flora and fauna.
Are your hedgerows fit for birds and bees?
Two key criteria for routinely trimmed hedgerows:
-
Hedgerows should be at least 1.5m high for birds to nest and have cover over and under the nest.
-
Hedgerows should contain thorn trees to provide flowers for bees and fruit for birds and small mammals.
Read more here from Teagasc on Hedgerows
Signpost Programme Partners
The Signpost Programme is a collaborative partnership of farmers, industry and State Agencies, working together for climate action.
A friend or colleague can subscribe to this e-newsletter by clicking the subscribe button below
The Teagasc Signpost Programme e-Newsletter will issue monthly and you can read it here each month on on Teagasc Daily.