'Better a hedge than a fence'

Hedges are much more than just a natural separation of pastures. They also have great significance for an area's biodiversity, provide protection during flooding, store carbon and produce food for humans and animals.
So argued researcher Dr. Kenneth Rijsdijk, author of the book 'Heg. A comfortable landscape for humans and animals', on May 22 during a meeting for volunteers and Friends of De Maasheggen. Rijsdijk's presentation was part of a program organized by Maasheggen UNESCO to mark the International Day of Biodiversity.

In barely a century, the number of linear kilometers of hedgerows in the Netherlands has declined by nearly 70 percent. The decline is due in part to urbanization, land reallocation and the choice of barbed wire as an alternative to hedges.
"Is it bad that so many hedges have disappeared?", Rijsdijk put to his audience, only to answer that question himself with a resounding yes. "Hedges are ancient landscape elements that provide biodiversity enhancement, pest control and protection against flooding and infectious diseases. In addition, hedges store carbon and water, prevent the spread of pesticides and lower the temperature of the landscape. Culling hedges is therefore also one of the reasons, why nature in the Netherlands is doing so badly."
Scientific research has shown that as many as 21 different functions can be assigned to hedges. From production (food, herbs, wood) to limiting the nuisance caused by flooding, wind and disease, among other things. "In Limburg, all kinds of complicated technical solutions are now being devised to prevent new floods, but the solution is much simpler: make sure hedges return to the landscape."
Hedges also provide well-being, perception of nature and recreation. They also give identity to an area. Rijsdijk, laughing, "I recently discovered, during the NK Maasheggenvlechten, another 22nd function: sportsmanship."

Rijsdijk not only wants the culling of hedgerows to stop, he advocates the creation of more hedges. Especially in this day and age. "Only in the last decade has serious research been done on how nature can help agriculture. Hedges play an important role in that, for many reasons. If I may advise farmers: it's better to put up a hedge than a fence."

Species Counts

During the well-attended meeting at the Boathouse in Oeffelt, Jelle Abma (SOVON) explained the breeding bird survey that was started in De Maasheggen.
The survey of breeding birds is one of the species counts that started last autumn, on the initiative of Staatsbosbeheer, Brabants Landschap and five knowledge organizations (RAVON, FLORON, Vlinderstichting, Dassenwerkgroep and SOVON). More than 70 volunteers regularly go into the area to count the plants and animals present there. The breeding bird survey alone involves more than 20 volunteer counters. They are currently being trained to recognize the sounds of breeding birds.
For this great involvement of volunteers, Josan Meijers, chairman of the steering committee Maasheggen UNESCO, expressed her appreciation. "Big thanks to you and to all those others who put time and energy into the conservation and development of this beautiful area," Meijers said.

Below are the presentations by Kenneth Rijsdijk and Jelle Abma.