The future will be green, or not at all- Jonathon Porritt
A field border is a strip of perennial vegetation established on the edge of a cropland. Common borders include hedgerows, stonewalls, watercourses, annual weeds, legumes and shrubs. How are field edges benefitting the farmers?
- Manage soil and reduce erosion due to strong winds and rain.
- An increase in organic matter from leaf litter improves the soil’s structure and reduces surface water run-off.
- Act as shelter for crops by protecting them against drought, regulating moisture in air and raising soil temperatures in early spring and late autumn.
- Provide important over-winter refuges, nesting sites, pollen and nectar feeding sources for pollinators such as bees and hover flies throughout the year.
- Increase water infiltration, thereby resulting in better water management.
- Provide wood which increases energy efficiency and adds to the revenue.
- Cut pollution by creating a physical barrier to reduce spray drift, capture pollutants and ammonia from livestock units.
- Provide “edge” habitat for game birds such as pheasant and partridge.
- Lead to a rapid increase in insects, which can in turn attract birds and small mammals, there by conserving wildlife.
Sharing a few pictures of field borders from the countryside. This is my last post for the Blogchatter Half Marathon. Thank you my Blogger friends for being with me this whole fortnight of this contest reading my posts and leaving your valuable comments and I wish all the best!
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