Best Practice Knowledge Base
6.2 Establishment of hedgerows or corridors
Tree hedgerows in agricultural landascape. Schwarzwald © Hernán Serrano-León
Hedgerows are linear strips of native or mixed-species vegetation which are commonly used in agricultural or tree plantation forest landscapes to connect fragmented habitats, or to increase biodiversity within the productive areas. Specifically, these structures serve as passages for wildlife by facilitating gene flow and species dispersal between isolated forest patches, while promoting dispersal and spread of new species into the productive environments. The strategic placement of hedgerows considering species-specific requirements is key to achieve these objectives.
I. Guidelines
| Nº | Title | Author | Year | Focus Region | Language | Summary | Link |
| 1 | Hedgerow planting | USDA | 2010 | US | English | Standards for the establishment of hedgerows to improve landscape connectivity. | https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/hedgerow-planting-ft-422-conservation-practice-standard |
| 2 | Guidelines for conserving connectivity through ecological networks and corridors | Hilty et al. - UICN | 2020 | World | English; Spanish; French | Guidelines for maintaining, enhancing and restoring ecological connectivity among natural areas, with case studies. | https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.CH.2020.PAG.30.en |
II. Books or book chapters
| Nº | Title | Author | Chapter | Chapter author | Year | Focus region | Language | Summary | Link |
| 1 | Corridor ecology: Linking Landscapes for Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Adaptation | Hilty et al. | - | - | 2019 | World | English | Importance and practical details of maintaining and restoring landscape connectivity in all mediums (terrestial, oceanic, aereal) | https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.21836 |
| 2 | The Ecology of Hedgerows and Field Margins | Dover | - | - | 2019 | World | English | Includes information on biodiversity conservation, biological control, and pollinator restoration with hedgerows. | https://www.routledge.com/The-Ecology-of-Hedgerows-and-Field-Margins/Dover/p/book/9781138562981?srsltid=AfmBOooMk8H9QlNlj0ns6Wo8-r0iGQIuhMaF92R97e4jNxzK6l-bQP0q |
| 3 | Ecological Corridors in Land Use Planning and Development Policies | Jongman et al. | - | - | 2002 | European | English | Overview of national approaches to implement ecological corridors through land use planning and polocy development | https://book.coe.int/en/nature-and-environment-series/2422-ecological-corridors-in-land-use-planning-and-development-policies-nature-and-environment-no-125.html |
| 4 | Linkages in the landscape : the role of corridors and connectivity in wildlife conservation (Enlazando el paisaje: el papel de los corredores y la conectividad en la conservación de la vida salvaje) | Bennet - UICN | - | - | 2004 | World | English, Spanish | Describes the principles for the design and management of ecological corridors | https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.CH.2004.FR.1.en |
| 5 | Connectivity Conservation Management: A Global Guide (with Particular Reference to Mountain Connectivity Conservation) | Worboys et al. | - | - | 2010 | World | English | Principles of connectivity conservation, with case studies around the world, and guidelines for mountain regions | https://www.routledge.com/Connectivity-Conservation-Management-A-Global-Guide/Worboys-Francis-Lockwood/p/book/9781844076048?srsltid=AfmBOopFoBP3fePzEJxeegk97PYQO5IanccFzmdlhuG1rRqzAGKUtl9N |
| 6 | Linking Australia's Landscapes: Lessons and Opportunities from Large-scale Conservation Networks | Fitzsimons et al. | - | - | 2013 | Australia | English | Lessons from case studies on corridors and new connectivity conservation initiatives in Australia and worldwide | https://www.publish.csiro.au/book/6898/#author |
| 7 | Forest Landscape Restoration: Integrating Natural and Social Sciences | Stanturf et al. | Connecting landscape fragments through riparian zones | Bentrup et al. | 2012 | World | English | On the use of riparian vegetation to increase landscape connectivity | https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-94-007-5326-6 |
III. Scientific articles
| Nº | Title | Author | Year | Focus region | Language | Type | Summary | Link |
| 1 | Hedgerows as Ecosystems: Service Delivery, Management, and Restoration | Montgomery et al. | 2020 | World | English | Narrative review | Comprehensive review about hedgerows' funtions and management | https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-012120-100346 |
| 2 | How to manage hedgerows as effective ecological corridors for mammals: A two-species approach | Dondina et al. | 2016 | Italy | English | Narrative review | Summarizes existing knowledge on the benefits and limitations of ecological corridors for the dispersal of plant species | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2016.07.005 |
| 3 | Corridors as a tool for linking habitats – Shortcomings and perspectives for plant conservation | Travers et al. | 2021 | Europe | English | Narrative review | Review on linear ecological corridors, focusing on plant dispersal, and proposal of semi-open corridors | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2021.125974 |
| 4 | Historical continuity and spatial connectivity ensure hedgerows are effective corridors for forest plants: Evidence from the species–time–area relationship | Lenoir et al. | 2019 | France | English | Observational study | Studies effects of the "age" of hedgerows on their capacity to promote dispersal of forest-dwelling species | https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.12845 |
| 5 | Effects of connectivity on seed dispersal patterns in hedgerows | Mony et al. | 2022 | France | English | Observational study | Evaluates the effect of hedgerows on seed dispersal | https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.13113 |
| 6 | Hedgerow structural diversity is key to promoting biodiversity and ecosystem services: A systematic review of Central European studies | Kratschmer et al. | 2024 | Central Europe | English | Systematic review | The impact of structural diversity of hedgerows on biodiversity and ecosystem services | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.baae.2024.04.010 |
| 7 | On the restoration of hedgerow ground vegetation: Local and landscape drivers of plant diversity and weed colonization | Boinot & Alignier | 2022 | France | English | Systematic review | Assesses the potential of hedgerows for providing biodiversity-based ecosystem services | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114530 |
| 8 | Hedgerows as a habitat for forest plant species in the agricultural landscape of Europe | Litza et al. | 2022 | West and North West Europe | English | Observational study | Examines how climate, landscape, and management affect the presence of forest specialists in hedgerows | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2021.107809 |
| 9 | Toward Best Management Practices for Ecological Corridors | Gregory et al. | 2021 | World | English | Narrative review | Recommendations on corridor management and gaps in research | https://doi.org/10.3390/land10020140 |
| 10 | Enhancing connectivity in agroecosystems: focus on the best existing corridors or on new pathways? | Dondina et al. | 2018 | Italy | English | Modelling approach | Assessment on the effectiveness of improving existing corridors or vs establishing new dispersal pathways | https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-018-0698-9 |