Code
SA02
Sector
Agriculture
Year of Issue
2025
Other sector(s)
Forest
Hydro Morphology
Summary
Buffer strips and hedges are natural or semi-natural vegetated features integrated into agricultural and semi-urban landscapes to enhance ecological and hydrological functions.
Buffer strips are areas of natural vegetation cover (grass, bushes or trees) at the margin of fields, arable land, transport infrastructures and water courses. They can feature various combinations of vegetation, from simple grass to mixtures of grass, trees,...
 |  |
Hedgerow (UK) | Beetle bank (UK) Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:On_Fox_Hill_-_geograph.org.uk_-_816223.jpg? |
Possible benefits with level
| Benefits | Level |
|---|---|
|
BP2 - Slow runoff
|
High
|
|
BP5 - Increase evapotranspiration
|
Medium
|
|
BP6 - Increase infiltration and/or groundwater recharge
|
Low
|
|
BP7 - Increase soil water retention
|
Medium
|
|
BP9 - Intercept pollution pathways
|
Medium
|
|
BP10 - Reduce erosion and/or sediment delivery
|
High
|
|
BP11 - Improve soils
|
Low
|
|
BP14 - Create terrestrial habitats
|
Medium
|
|
BP17 - Absorb and/or retain CO2
|
Medium
|
|
ES3 - Natural biomass production
|
Low
|
|
ES4 - Biodiversity preservation
|
Low
|
|
ES5 - Climate change adaptation and mitigation
|
Medium
|
|
ES6 - Groundwater/aquifer recharge
|
Medium
|
|
ES7 - Flood risk reduction
|
High
|
|
ES8 - Erosion/sediment control
|
High
|
|
ES9 - Filtration of pollutants
|
High
|
|
PO1 - Improving status of biology quality elements
|
Low
|
|
PO2 - Improving status of physico-chemical quality elements
|
Low
|
|
PO3 - Improving status of hydromorphology quality elements
|
Medium
|
|
PO4 - Improving chemical status and priority substances
|
Low
|
|
PO5 - Improving quantitative status
|
Low
|
|
PO6 - Improving chemical status
|
Low
|
|
PO7 - Prevent surface water status deterioration
|
High
|
|
PO8 - Prevent groundwater status deterioration
|
Medium
|
|
PO9 - Take adequate and co-ordinated measures to reduce flood risks
|
High
|
|
PO10 - Protection of important habitats
|
Low
|
|
PO11 - Better protection for ecosystems and more use of Green Infrastructure
|
High
|
|
PO12 - More sustainable agriculture and forestry
|
High
|
|
PO13 - Better management of fish stocks
|
Low
|
|
PO14 - Prevention of biodiversity loss
|
High
|
Case study(ies)
