Description of practice
Semi-natural landscape elements include trees or rows of trees, bushes, springs, dikes, hedges, hollow roads, and (parts of) fields that are set aside such as ditches and pools. These elements often give a specific character to a region. They attract fauna and flora that can be natural enemies of pests.
| Examples of how to use semi-natural landscape elements | Further information (see Note below) |
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Rows of treesRows of trees help protect soils from erosion, attract fauna, provide shade and tree products. |
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Farmstead boundariesFarmstead boundaries provide habitat and feeding resources for wildlife and facilitate mobility of wildlife through the landscape. |
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Herb stripsHerbs are planted in strips to provide additional revenue and as an important food source for pollinator species. |
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Field marginsUncultivated field margins provide habitat and feeding resources for wildlife, protect other features (e.g. hedgerows, watercourses) from farm operations, and act as wildlife corridors. |
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Dry stone wallsDry stone walls are an important habitat for small reptiles, insects, mammals and birds. They also affect the micro-climate and provide cultural character to the landscape. |
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HedgesHedges are an important element of cultural landscapes, provide a host of resources for wildlife (food, shelter, nesting sites, refuge from farm operations) and create corridors across the landscape. |
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Shrub buffer strip with bundBelts of shrub or grass are planted on level bunds constructed along contour lines in gently sloping farmland. |
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Trees as buffer zonesTrees are planted between different cultivation zones to prevent pests from crossing between zones and provide a haven for endemic flora and fauna. |
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Note: Most of the Further information links are to a full description of the example in the WOCAT database. However sometimes the link may be to similar practices or a research paper. Occasionally the link is to a commercial product in which case it should be understood that this does not imply any endorsement of the product by iSQAPER.