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Hedgerows, the dense lines of shrubs and small trees historically planted to mark field boundaries, have become an unexpected refuge for wildlife in intensively farmed landscapes. A single mature hedgerow can host dozens of bird species that nest within its branches, sheltered from both weather and predators, while its base provides cover for small mammals moving between habitats otherwise separated by open farmland. Ecologists have found that hedgerows also function as corridors, allowing species to travel safely across a landscape rather than being confined to isolated patches of woodland. This connectivity is particularly important for species with limited dispersal ability, since a single well-maintained hedgerow network can effectively link fragmented populations that would otherwise face a heightened risk of local extinction due to genetic isolation.