A regional-scale study of associations between farmland birds and linear woody networks of hedgerows and trees

Farmland birds have declined throughout Europe over recent decades. Many farmland songbirds are associated with linear woody features on field boundaries, such as hedgerows and tree lines. Previous studies assessed songbird associations specific hedgerow characteristics, their landscape context, but large-scale assessments been limited by difficulties in mapping networks large extents, particularly height structure. We used a high-resolution lidar model of the complete network southwest England (9424 km2), summarising feature lengths class. Associations were tested between heights abundance 22 birds, using bird survey data summarised for 1446 near-contiguous tetrads, weighted version phi coefficient association. Land cover defined tetrads grassland, mixed or arable farmland. Results showed that was dominated corresponding to managed (1.5–2.9 m tall, 42?47% land type), followed lines (? 6.0 m, 28–35 %). All species had statistically significant, weak, combinations class features, although appeared be dominant factor. more positive than taller The results suggest land-use diversification may benefit some songbirds, introducing pockets farming landscapes intensively grassland. Diverse network, incorporating tall trees, would also likely range species. study demonstrates significant potential characterising structure at scale, facilitating detailed analyses wildlife habitat ecology.