Research sheds light on hedgerows What is the most sociable animal at the zoo?
England is known for having a lot of hedgerows – strips of tightly packed plants, such as bushes and shrubs, marking the edge of fields. New research by the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH) has found there are around 242,000 miles of hedgerows in England. This is enough greenery to circle the Earth almost 10 times.
The UKCEH’s work involved putting together a map of hedgerows using data from the Government’s Environment Agency.
Between 2016 and 2021, aircraft flew over England and fired lasers (intense light beams) at the ground. When reflected back, the lasers helped to create a map of the country. Before this technique, called LIDAR, was used, humans had to go out and map hedgerows in person.
Hedgerows provide homes for animals and help the environment by absorbing carbon dioxide, a polluting gas, from the air. However, the UK has lost around half of its hedgerows since 1945. Many were chopped down and dug up to make way for bigger farm fields. Dr Richard Broughton, who led the hedgerow map project, said the map reveals where there are fewer hedgerows, and shows where new ones could be planted.
Our Bolivian black capped squirrel monkeys. They have large brains for their body size, which is thought to be linked to the complex social structures they live in: groups of around 75 male and female monkeys. They communicate with each other constantly, to ensure the group is safe and they know what’s happening. They also love grooming each other, which creates and reinforces bonds between them.
Enjoy unlimited visits to ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoos, plus a host of other benefits with ZSL Membership. Find out more at zsl.org/membership/zsl-membership