A holistic approach towards sustainable land use management in the Hedgerow — Field crop interface

Hedgerows as traditional landscape elements of agricultural ecosystems in Northern Germany were investigated for their above and below ground interactions in the hedgerow — field crop interface. Biomass accumulation of the hedgerow vegetation tended to increase with the management intensity of the farming system. The annual biomass accumulation rate was considerably higher than in natural forest stands or naturally managed ecosystems but was quite comparable with silvoarable systems or other biofuel alternatives grown in Northern Germany. Following the higher growth rates, total nutrient contents of the hedgerow biomass were higher than those of unfertilised ecosystems. This was based on the fact that yields of arable crops significantly decreased in the proximity of the hedgerows depending on exposition, distance to and age of the hedgerow vegetation. Reduced nutrient extraction by arable crops caused by reduced yield capacity led — in conjunction with continuous high fertiliser input — to nutrient accumulation in the hedgerow — field crop interface. As a consequence the increased nutrient and biomass accumulation of the hedgerow vegetation indicated a favourable nutrient supply out of the hedgerow — field crop interface enabled through intensive root exploration of the hedgerow shrubs in arable land. Burning these hedgerows in modern heating/power plants contributes to an advance in the development of regional carbon, energy and nutrient cycles when — at least- the remaining ash fraction is taken as a fertiliser substitute back to the fields.