Farm Hedges Combat UK's Record Butterfly Decline, Study Shows

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UK butterfly numbers are crashing – but Oxford researchers just discovered a surprisingly simple solution hiding in plain sight!

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2024 was catastrophic for butterflies, with over half of UK species now in long-term decline – but could farmers hold the key to their survival?

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Even single trees or short hedgerows significantly boost butterfly numbers on farms, creating vital shelters from harsh weather that these delicate insects desperately need.

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Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, and Meadow Brown butterflies thrive near woody features – these natural highways allow them to move safely across otherwise hostile farmland.

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The shocking twist? Researchers found fewer butterflies on intensively managed grasslands than crop fields – completely upending what experts expected!

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With 70% of UK land used for farming, these findings could transform conservation efforts nationwide if farmers receive proper support.

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"Butterflies are important indicators of wider biodiversity," explains Dr. Ruth Feber – when they disappear, it signals trouble for entire ecosystems.

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Beyond beauty, hedgerows provide critical resources – nectar for adults, specific plants for hungry caterpillars, and safe corridors connecting fragmented habitats.

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Dr. Feber's team is now testing innovative "mob grazing" techniques – could this farming method revolutionize butterfly conservation alongside hedgerow restoration?

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Farmers recognize the benefits but worry about costs – will new policies provide the support needed to bring butterflies back from the brink?

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