Farming matters, practical biodiversity in uk agriculture

This information has been produced in association with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and is part of a national Wildlife Trust pilot project supported by the NFU and funded by Norsk Hydro (UK).

Ponds
Ponds - permanent and seasonal are often the only aquatic habitat found on the farm. They can provide:

• Habitat for amphibians (great crested newt, common frog).
• Winter-feeding sites for wading birds (redshank, snipe).
• Egg laying sites for invertebrates (small red damselfly, emperor dragonfly).
• Muddy margins for rare wetland plants.

Best practice for farmers:

• Vegetation management or slit removal should be undertaken during the winter months - leaving at least 1/3 vegetated for hibernating frogs, toads and over wintering invertebrate species.
• If the pond is used by stock, parts of the bank should be protected from poaching to encourage marginal vegetation to develop.
• If creating a new pond, avoid locating it in a flower-rich wetland area.

Streams and ditches
Streams and ditches across the farm can provide:

• Drinking water for stock.
• Moving water and an aquatic link or corridor.
• Habitat for threatened and elusive mammal species (otter, water vole).
• Habitat for invertebrates which in turn provide food for bird and mammal species (swift, pipistrelle bat).

Best practice for farmers:

• All watercourses should be protected from potential field run-off by the creation of vegetated buffer strips. (Refer to the LERAP guidelines produced by MAFF).
• Where stock have access to long stretches of bank, consider fencing with appropriately placed cattle drinks to control stock access and reduce bank collapse and erosion. The fenced areas will encourage bankside vegetation to establish.
• When cutting bankside vegetation, cut short sections on alternate sides during the late autumn or winter period.
• It is advisable to contact your local Environment Agency before undertaking management work on watercourses.

Ancient or veteran trees
Ancient or veteran trees generally greater than 100 years old, can provide:

• Valuable habitat for insects, fungi and lichens (stag beetle, bracket fungi).
• Sites for ivy and honeysuckle to grow, which in turn provide cover, nectar and a winter food source.
• Cover and roosting sites for mammal and bird species (noctule bat, tawny owl).

Best practice for farmers:

• Leave dead ancient trees standing if it is safe to do so - dead wood (both standing and fallen) is a valuable wildlife resource.
• Avoid undertaking farming operations too close to ancient trees - as this may lead to compaction and root damage.

Woodland
Woodland, old and new with its associated habitats (woodland edge and rides) can provide:

• Shelter for stock, crops and game species.
• Sources of income and fuel from timber.
• A variety of woodland flower species (bluebell, primrose) which in turn provide food and habitat for invertebrates (purple emperor butterfly).
• Habitat for woodland mammals and birds (dormouse, great spotted woodpecker).

Best practice for farmers:

• Buffer the edge of woodlands from agricultural operations with tussocky grass margins.
• Coppicing can be a valuable method of woodland management - but advice should be sought to help develop a suitable coppicing regime.
• Consider 'scalloping' woodland edges to create warm, sheltered areas, which are particularly beneficial for butterflies.

Farm buildings
Farm buildings and the farmyard itself can be of great value to wildlife providing:

• Roosting and breeding sites for bats.
• Nesting sites for a range of birds (swallows, house martins).
• An ideal habitat for a range of mosses and lichens on old stone and brickwork.
• Food (split grain), nesting materials (hay, straw) and water for bird and mammal species.

Best practice for farmers:

• Retain old farm buildings if possible - there are grants available to help.
• Install barn owl and kestrel boxes in farm buildings.
• Ensure that new farm buildings can still accommodate bats, barn owls, swallow and other species.

Unimproved grassland
Unimproved grassland - both wet and dry that has not been ploughed and reseeded, or had fertilisers applied is often:

• particularly rich in wild flowers
• supports many uncommon plant and insect species
• provides habitat for breeding and feeding birds

Best practice for farmers:

• maintain light grazing to prevent scrub ingress and to maintain biodiversity
• reduce grazing during the may to june period when most plants are flowering
• avoid the use of fertilisers
• apply herbicides in spot treatment only where proble weeds like ragwort exist

Farming Matters - The Practical Biodiversity Project

The Wildlife Trusts provide farmers with advice, guidance and support on wildlife issues and grants. The partnership of 46 county Trusts work together to create a better future for wildlife and wild places in Britain. Together with the NFU and Norsk Hydro the Practical Biodiversity Project helps to provide farmers and land managers with information on:

The NFU aims to promote the interests of those within the farming business, encouraging the use of environmentally friendly farming practices and seeks to ensure the long term survival of viable rural communities.

Norsk Hydro is a leading supplier of oil and energy, light metals and fertiliser and recognises the long term importance of caring for the environment.

Agri-Environment Schemes	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
Agri-environment subsidies (£ millions)	153	198	236	223	257	288	376	460	476
Environmentally Sensitive Areas (000 hectares)	1476	1678	1723	1797	1765	1562	1330	1034	897
Countryside Stewardship Schemes (000 hectares)		536	758	921	1051	1344	1647	1632	1400
Organic Farming Schemes (000 hectares)		443	552	599	473	382	286	231	257
Entry Level Scheme (000 hectares)				31	31	1375	3921	4725	5024
Higher Level Scheme (000 hectares)					0	0	83	175	291

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