Bbc the nature of britain download

That's particularly beneficial for almond trees, which need pollen from other almond tree varieties to produce nuts.

Not every crop will benefit from hedgerows, however; it depends on the farm, the crop and the bee involved. The benefits of hedges go further. Studies in Europe, Africa and Asia show that they protect against soil-eroding winds and floods, help cool the air and can even help curb the spread of infectious diseases like bovine tuberculosis among cattle by creating a nearly airtight barrier between herds.

Hedge plants also suck carbon out of the air and into plant biomass or soil — in some pastures, helping to offset the planet-warming emissions from cows. There's now a growing momentum to expand hedgerows, especially in Britain and mainland Europe, where they've been historically declining due to intensifying agriculture.

According to the latest available data, from , that decline has continued in Britain since , when Welsh and English governments formally protected hedges — making it illegal to remove hedgerows without official permission. Earlier this year, the French government announced plans to plant 4, additional miles 6,km. Established hedgerows are home to many different plant species, but they require maintenance to preserve their complex structure Credit: Getty Images.

Even places like the US, where hedgerows are much less of a cultural legacy, have seen increasing interest in planting hedgerows. Many farmers can apply for grants with the US Natural Resources Conservation Service, for instance, which chips in to pay for planting pollinator habitats.

Experts caution, however, that the usefulness of hedgerows depends a lot on how they're managed. Many hedges need some form of maintenance. Hedgerows in mainland Europe, for instance, require regular trimming to maintain the layered, varied structure that makes them appeal to wildlife, Vanneste says, while British hedges often require more elaborate methods, including cutting and hedgelaying, to prevent overgrowth but still keep them dense enough to act as barriers to livestock.

Often, that doesn't happen. A survey of Britain's hedges in found that roughly half weren't well-maintained. Many others are cut too often, Montgomery says, noting that such neat, narrow hedges are typically poorer in biodiversity and carbon storage than those disturbed less frequently.

If thoughtfully managed, though, the humble hedge has a lot of potential. Grass snake — Secret Britain Duration: Ferox trout — Freshwater Britain Duration: Skuas, a close encounter — Island Duration: Damselflies — Freshwater Britain Duration: Boxing hares — Island Duration: Aphid attack — Farmland Duration: Peregrine hunt — Farmland Duration: A portrait of the spectacular, dynamic nature of Britain over the course of one year.

On iPlayer Not available. On TV No upcoming broadcasts. Supporting Content Meet the timelapse team Timelapse vs. Birth of a snowman — Winter. Duration: Dormant dormouse — Autumn.

Alan braves the elements to find out why our coastline is such an extraordinary place for wildlife. So join Alan Titchmarsh as he goes down to the woods to discover beautiful butterflies and sleepy dormice, a bird with a beak like a pair of pliers, and the mysterious creatures of the night. And discover the secrets of the central character in all this drama — the one on which all the creatures of the forest depend — the trees. Our mountains and moorlands, lowland heath and the Scottish Flow Country are some of the toughest habitats of all; places where life really does live on the edge.

Throughout our history on these islands, we have created places for our own use, without giving a second thought for wildlife.