Hedgerow survey to commence in south of Westmeath
A comprehensive survey of local hedgerows will soon be under way in County Westmeath. The survey, commissioned by the Biodiversity Office of Westmeath County Council, will see a team of ecologists and GIS analysts looking at a sample of hedgerows in the south of the county to assess their extent and condition.
It will provide baseline data on hedgerow health by revisiting sites from a survey undertaken in 2004 and analysing environmental trends.
Speaking ahead of the project, Emma from FERS Ltd, who have been commissioned to carry out the survey, said: “The project aims to assess the condition and biodiversity of hedgerows using traditional botanical methods at ground level using the hedgerow appraisal system. Drone surveys will also be used to enhance data collection by capturing video and photographic imagery of each hedgerow surveyed.”
The aerial imagery will be instrumental in identifying and monitoring specific hedgerows over time, thereby streamlining the survey process, and ensuring more accurate long-term monitoring.
Ahead of the survey, biodiversity officer Christina Sweeney, said: “Hedgerows are a crucial part of our natural heritage, offering far more than just picturesque landscapes. They serve as essential habitats, providing food and shelter for a wide range of insects, birds, and animals, and act as ecological corridors, enabling wildlife to safely move between different environments.
“Beyond their ecological value, hedgerows play a significant role in offering wider ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, flood prevention, soil erosion control, and the reduction of aquatic siltation.
"Moreover, hedgerows are a rich cultural resource, with many marking historic townland boundaries or standing as remnants of ancient woodlands. Others trace the paths of old routes, linking us to the past and underscoring their importance in both our ecological and cultural landscapes.”
The survey is being funded under the Local Biodiversity Action Fund from the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Housing. Local Government and Heritage with support from Westmeath County Council.