Along the edges of agricultural land, beside rivers and streams, belts of trees and shrubs of varying width wind. These are hedgerows, or in some dialects also omejek, graja, živica, živa meja, zgraja, paseka, seča, seč. They are widespread in the lowlands on fields as well as in the hills of all Slovenian regions. They formed through planting and spontaneous spreading of seeds carried by the wind or by animals. 

The first hedgerows probably arose accidentally, long ago, during deforestation for obtaining arable land and their traditional cultivation. These belts usually remained along the property boundaries between plots. Although hedgerows delineate individual parcels and the landscape from which their name also derives, they are also a connecting element of the landscape.They connect different living spaces, in which a diverse range of plant and animal species find favorable living conditions. That is why Notranjska Park, as one of the partners, decided to participate in the Hedgerows project.

Aims and objectives of the project:

The EIP 16.5 Hedgerows project focuses on:

• raising awareness and training of stakeholders, especially farming enterprises and professional and lay audiences,
• transfer of knowledge and skills on establishing and maintaining hedgerows,
• emphasising the importance of hedgerows as one of the most valuable elements of the cultural landscape and a mainstay of agricultural land,
• establishment of new and restoration of existing hedgerows,
• contributing to greater biodiversity on agricultural lands,
• improvement of the ecosystem services provided by hedgerows (e.g., pollination, soil protection, shelter for wildlife).
   

As part of the project we will:

• develop new and modern solutions for establishing and maintaining hedgerows that will increase species diversity on farms and reduce and mitigate the impacts of climate change on the agricultural landscape and the wider environment,
• improve the current state of hedgerows on the ground,
• increase the long-term well-being of hedgerow owners,
• conduct targeted awareness-raising and regular training of stakeholders,
• design a modern, multifunctional hedgerow management model that will be usable for different environments and needs.

Hedgerows in the agricultural landscape on the Ljubljansko Barje, near Blatna Brezovica (source: Google Maps).

Key guidelines for establishing hedgerows:

• ensuring adequate species diversity of hedgerows,
• preventing the spread and reducing the abundance of invasive non-native species,
• promoting and maintaining the regulating, conservation and productive functions of hedgerows.

With properly established boundaries, the following will be ensured:

• production of a diverse range of goods, such as nectar-rich plants, fruit, produce and mushrooms,
• preservation of ecological functions, such as species diversity, pollination, seed dispersal, biological control of pests and maintenance of genetic diversity,
• reducing surface runoff and pollutants, and greater capacity to retain water in soils,
• reducing erosion,
• carbon sequestration in soils,
• maintaining soil fertility and structure.

Achieved project results:

A three-year project, completed in May 2024, contributed to biodiversity conservation, traditional landscapes and improvement of ecosystem services. Key achievements include:

• establishment or restoration of hedgerows at six locations with more than 720 plants of various species,
• the use of mycorrhization of saplings with an indigenous species of gomoljike to improve the ecological and economic potential of hedgerows,
• increasing biodiversity, soil and water protection, and providing shelter and food for wildlife,
• innovative approaches for higher honey and fruit production and improved wind protection,
• development and testing of a model for identifying and increasing the value of hedgerows on six agricultural holdings,
• implementation of trainings, workshops and public presentations that increased awareness and knowledge about establishing and maintaining hedgerows,
• contribution to the development of tourism, sport and recreation in rural areas,
• preservation of native plant species in agricultural landscapes,
• assessment of baseline conditions on farms and inventory of plant species as a basis for planning measures.

The project has shown that hedgerows are not only elements of biodiversity but also an important economic resource that promotes sustainable development of the Slovenian countryside.

The project is co-financed by the Republic of Slovenia and the European Union from the Rural Development Fund (4th measure under sub-measure 16.5. Support for joint actions to mitigate climate change or adapt to it and for joint approaches to environmental projects and lasting environmental practices). The Notranjski park as a project partner receives €3,600.00 for the purposes of conducting lectures or professional trainings and dissemination of the project results.

More information: European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and Rural Development Programme of the Republic of Slovenia.