The article highlights the ancient reaves of Dartmoor and their significance as remnants of historic agricultural practices rich in biodiversity. Over the years, hedges, which once constituted some of the UK’s oldest farmland, have seen a substantial decline, with about half lost since the 1940s. However, there is a growing movement among community groups, farmers, and charities dedicated to planting new hedges. These initiatives aim not only to restore the landscape but also to create habitats for wildlife, symbolizing hope for future conservation efforts.
hedges have been ripped out, with approximately half lost between the 1940s and 1990s due to agricultural intensification and development.
Dartmoor's reaves are the skeletons upon which more recent hedges were built: hundreds of thousands of miles of them.
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