Key elements Large-scale mosaic Open-grown mature and veteran trees Open-grown mature and veteran trees Ecotones (field boundaries) Flower-rich field margins Overwintered stubbles and wild- bird cover Overwintered stubbles and wild- bird cover Bare ground, skylark plots and fallow plots Bare ground, skylark plots and fallow plots ARABLE FARMLAND Although hedgerows and arable field margins are the two priority habitats most likely to be present, arable farmland is in fact a large- scale mosaic composed of both priority and non-priority habitats. This guide therefore focuses on this large-scale mosaic and the key elements that go to make it up. Click on image to view landscape, and then select some species or key elements Management guides for this habitat

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Large-scale mosaic This refers to the juxtaposition of different habitats within a landscape. For example, flower-rich grassland, farm woodland, trees, scrub, rough grassland, and farm ponds found adjacent to arable fields. Such mosaics are largely required by highly-mobile terrestrial species. Photograph: Tony Robinson RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE Hedgerows and field margins provide important corridors linking different habitats. The non-priority habitats that can play an important role in the arable farmland mosaic include overwintered stubbles and brassica fodder crops that provide food for birds, skylark plots and fallow plots, winter cover-crops, and in-field grass areas. Key determining factors: Scale Management Go to example species

Large-scale mosaic – associated priority species RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Open-grown mature and veteran trees These trees have unimpeded growth; they are not surrounded by other trees that limit side-branch structure. Veteran trees tend to be large specimens with spreading crowns and thick boughs that are exposed, or semi-exposed, to sunlight. Valuable resources in these trees include bark crevices, dead bough ends, and heart rot. Many species of invertebrate require small cavities, so the trees do not necessarily have to be ancient to be of importance. Key determining factors: Management - to maintain open conditions; protection from ploughing, ditching, pesticide/fertiliser drift. Time – continuity, with trees at all stages of growth. Air quality – important for lichens. Go to example species Photograph: Tony Robinson RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Open-grown mature and veteran trees – associated priority species 58% of priority species in hedgerows on farmland are associated with open-grown mature and veteran trees. Examples, with their requirements, are: Tree sparrow – hedgerows; scattered scrub and trees; adjacent grassland; wetland-edge habitats appear to provide invertebrate food of importance for adults that are feeding young. Noctule bat - mature/old trees – predominately roosts in tree cavities (also known to roost in buildings); forages above canopy and over water and pasture. Heart moth – open-grown, mature oaks in lightly wooded environment; hedgerow trees. Anaptychia ciliaris subsp. Ciliaris, a lichen - mature open-grown trees; base-rich bark – maple, ash and sycamore; no fertilizers; no shading by scrub. Go to Open-grown mature and veteran trees RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Ecotones (field boundaries) In arable farmland important ecotones are hedgerows that grade from tall scrub through well- developed shrubs into tall-grass margins with herbs. Ecotones should not be severe; there should be a gradual change from one habitat to the other. The wider and more varied the structure the better. Photograph: Tony Robinson RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE The ecotone should be herb-rich and structurally complex, with tussocks and sheltered bays. A diverse range of species forming the hedgerows can be beneficial. Ditches adjoining hedges also need to be considered. Key determining factors: Succession. Disturbance – frequency of hedge management. Go to example species

Ecotones (field boundaries) – associated priority species RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Flower-rich field margins These are particularly favoured by invertebrates and certain birds species. It is important to note that these tall swards are often required all year round, to provide a plentiful supply of nectar, pollen, food- plants, seeds, dead seed-heads and prey items. Photograph: Marek Nowakowsi RETURN TO START Swards of common species, such as umbellifers and yellow composites, can still provide a very useful resource. Key determining factors: Disturbance – management by cultivation or infrequent mowing that retains some flower heads. Air/Soil/Water Quality – often require low nutrient levels. Go to example species GO TO LANDSCAPE

Flower-rich field margins – associated priority species RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Overwintered stubbles and wild-bird cover Stubbles left unsprayed and uncultivated over winter are particularly important as a source of seed for farmland birds. Seed is also provided by wild-bird cover crops, which are left un-harvested. They are mixtures of at least one cereal crop and one oil-rich crop, such as oilseed rape. Photograph: Matt Willmott RETURN TO START Brassica fodder crops, such as stubble turnips, are also used by seed-eating birds as livestock graze the crop. Key determining factors: Management by sowing and cultivation. Go to example species GO TO LANDSCAPE

Overwintered stubbles and wild-bird cover – associated priority species RETURN TO START A number of priority species in arable farmland are associated with overwintered stubbles and wild- bird cover. Examples, with their requirements, are: Grey partridge - mosaic of bare ground (feeding), weedy stubble fields in winter, and long-sward grass (nests); high density of invertebrates and seeds. Hedgerows, uncultivated margins and scrub edge can provide suitable nesting and feeding conditions. Cirl bunting - scrub, gorse and bramble thickets or hedgerows (nesting); grassland - needs to be a mosaic of tall and short swards; abundance of invertebrates and seeds; insects and grasshoppers (chick feeding). Seeds are important in winter when weedy stubble fields are a key element. Yellowhammer - hedgerows or scrub (nesting); insect-rich grassland (chick feeding); seed-rich areas (adult feeding). Sausage beard-moss - stubble in field margins; bare ground; neutral loams and clays. Go to overwintered stubbles and wild-bird cover GO TO LANDSCAPE

Bare ground, skylark plots and fallow plots Repeated disturbance that removes vegetation creates areas of bare and sparsely-vegetated ground. Bare ground invariably includes a scatter of early colonisers, many of which are food plants or provide other critical resources such as nectar and pollen. In arable farmland cultivated margins can be created for rare arable plants. Skylark plots are small patches in winter cereal fields that are left uncropped, to give skylarks access to the ground for foraging during the nesting season. Fallow plots are areas of at least one hectare that are left fallow for ground- nesting birds. Key determining factors: Disturbance - management by cultivation. Go to example species Photograph: Simon Duffield RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Bare ground, skylark plots and fallow plots – associated priority species RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Conservation management on an arable farm The farm wildlife handbook A management guide for birds on lowland farmland Natural England Technical Information Notes Arable TINs Managing priority habitats for invertebrates (Buglife) Cereal field margins, Ancient and species-rich hedgerows Cereal field marginsAncient and species-rich hedgerows Managing your land for bees (Bumblebee Conservation Trust) Managing field marginsManaging field margins, Managing hedges and edgesManaging hedges and edges Other guides Conservation management advice for your arable business Hedgerow management Hedgerows for hairstreaks Butterflies and farmland RETURN TO START Management guides GO TO LANDSCAPE Note: after opening some documents you may need to exit the slideshow in order to view them.