Hedgerows’ vital role in water and climate health
Hedgerows significantly contribute to enhancing water quality and mitigating climate change across Ireland. Their root systems filter pollutants and trap sediment, while their carbon storage potential supports national environmental goals amid rising ecological challenges.
Source:
Teagasc Agricultural News
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⏱️ 1 min read
As part of National Hedgerow Week 2026, a collaboration between the Heritage Council and Teagasc highlights the crucial environmental benefits of hedgerows. These natural barriers improve water quality by regulating water flow and absorbing nutrients such as phosphorus and pesticides, thereby reducing pollution risks to Ireland’s waterways.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reported that nearly half of the country’s rivers, lakes, and coastal waters are classified as having unsatisfactory water quality, underscoring the importance of hedgerows in protecting aquatic ecosystems. By preventing sediment runoff, hedgerows help maintain healthy riverbeds essential for fish spawning, including salmon and trout.
Additionally, hedgerows play a growing role in climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration. Preliminary EPA research suggests that Ireland’s extensive hedgerow network, covering approximately 186,000 hectares, holds significant potential for carbon storage. Sustainable management practices—such as maintaining wider, taller hedges with less intensive trimming—can enhance this effect. Farmers are supported in these efforts through schemes like Farming for Water EIP, which offers funding for hedgerow planting and maintenance to improve water and carbon outcomes.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reported that nearly half of the country’s rivers, lakes, and coastal waters are classified as having unsatisfactory water quality, underscoring the importance of hedgerows in protecting aquatic ecosystems. By preventing sediment runoff, hedgerows help maintain healthy riverbeds essential for fish spawning, including salmon and trout.
Additionally, hedgerows play a growing role in climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration. Preliminary EPA research suggests that Ireland’s extensive hedgerow network, covering approximately 186,000 hectares, holds significant potential for carbon storage. Sustainable management practices—such as maintaining wider, taller hedges with less intensive trimming—can enhance this effect. Farmers are supported in these efforts through schemes like Farming for Water EIP, which offers funding for hedgerow planting and maintenance to improve water and carbon outcomes.
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