SoNaRR 2025: Enclosed farmland

Natural Resources Wales

This webpage is part of the State of Natural Resources Report 2025

Enclosed Farmland comprises the agricultural land in lowland Wales that is surrounded by field boundaries. It includes arable crops, horticulture, orchards and temporary grasslands as well as agriculturally improved permanent grasslands, but excludes areas of enclosed semi-natural grassland, scrub, farm woodland and habitats in the upland fringes (ffridd).

Key messages

  • Enclosed farmland remains vital for food production and cultural identity in Wales, but its resilience is under increasing pressure from climate change and land use intensification.
  • The condition of enclosed farmland is deteriorating due to multiple pressures including extreme weather, pests and diseases, pollution, and invasive species, with significant implications for biodiversity and ecosystem services.
  • Future risks to enclosed farmland are expected to intensify, particularly from climate-driven changes such as seasonal drought, flooding, and heat stress, which will impact productivity and land capability.
  • Practical actions such as integrated pest management, soil health improvement, and targeted tree planting can help mitigate pressures and enhance resilience on the ground.
  • Strategic responses including the Sustainable Farming Scheme, climate adaptation planning, and better land use regulation are essential to safeguard ecosystem services and support a regenerative economy.

 

Assessment of SMNR

Aim 1: Stocks of natural resources are safeguarded and enhanced

Enclosed farmland in Wales is under pressure from biodiversity loss, pollution, and climate change. Traditional habitats have declined, with farmland birds and pollinators showing long-term deterioration. However, hedgerows and wood pasture retain higher species diversity, and some indicators—like hedgerow woody species richness—show marginal improvement. Pests, diseases, and invasive non-native species (INNS) continue to threaten farmland ecosystems, with diseases like Ash Dieback and Dutch Elm causing widespread tree loss. Air pollution, particularly ammonia emissions from agriculture, is rising and affects sensitive plant communities. Soil health is compromised by compaction, phosphorus leaching, and microplastics, while water pollution trends remain unclear.

Climate change is intensifying pressures, with more frequent droughts, floods, and heat stress affecting productivity and land capability. Sea level rise and coastal erosion pose future risks to farmland and aquifers. Strategic responses include the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), launching in 2026, which promotes integrated pest management, soil health, and pollution control. Actions such as tree planting, rotational grazing, and reduced fertiliser use can enhance resilience and safeguard natural resources.

Aim 2: Ecosystems are Resilient to Expected and Unforeseen Change

The resilience of enclosed farmland ecosystems varies across habitat types. Arable land and improved grassland have low diversity and condition, while hedgerows and trees outside woodlands show higher diversity and connectivity. Long-term trends indicate deterioration in diversity and condition, especially for farmland species and soil health. Hedgerows have seen recent improvements in extent and species richness, but tree losses continue due to disease and storm damage. Connectivity is high for hedgerows and grasslands but low for arable land and isolated trees.

Future resilience depends on land management choices. Sustainable practices—such as varied swards, reduced inputs, and habitat connectivity—can improve ecosystem health. Financial incentives and nature-based solutions are needed to support low-input systems and climate adaptation. The SFS aims to enhance resilience through improved soil health, habitat coverage, and connectivity. Projects like DeeLIFE and 4 Rivers for LIFE contribute by advising on land management and planting riparian buffers. However, more evidence is needed on the impacts of climate change and INNS to guide future actions.

Aim 3: Healthy Places for people, protected from environmental risk

Enclosed Farmland contributes to health protection through climate regulation, air filtration, and water supply. Grassland soils sequester carbon, while vegetation removes air pollutants, reducing premature deaths. However, agriculture is a major source of ammonia emissions, which can harm ecosystems and human health. Water abstraction for farming is increasing, highlighting the need for sustainable water use.

Health improvement is supported through recreation, education, and cultural services. In 2022, over 42 million visits were made to Enclosed Farmland, generating £80 million in value. The landscape supports equestrian activities, farm education, and research. It also holds cultural significance, with strong ties to Welsh identity and language. The SFS promotes public access and cultural conservation. Integrated strategies and community engagement are essential to maintain access, manage pollution, and adapt to climate pressures.

Aim 4: Contributing to a Regenerative Economy, Achieving Sustainable Levels of Production and Consumption

Enclosed Farmland underpins Wales’s agri-food sector, supporting 49,500 jobs and producing crops, livestock, and biomass. However, intensification has led to biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and pollution. Maize cultivation and heavy machinery increase erosion risks. Organic farming supports biodiversity and soil health but has declined in area. The SFS and Agricultural Soil Policy aim to promote sustainable practices, including reduced tillage, crop rotation, and integrated pest management.

Economic pressures and land use changes — such as urban expansion and renewable energy infrastructure— threaten productive land. Enclosed Farmland also provides regulating services like flood mitigation and pollination, though evidence is limited. Cultural services contribute to economic well-being through tourism and traditional farming. Future opportunities include investing in nature-based solutions, managing organic waste sustainably, and promoting regenerative and nature friendly practices to balance production with environmental protection.

Key changes since SoNaRR2020

Since SoNaRR2020, pressures on enclosed farmland ecosystem have intensified with emerging challenges. Climate change impacts have continued to increase, with more frequent extreme weather and increasing pressures from pests and diseases affecting livestock and crops, while new evidence showed soil compaction and nutrient imbalances have worsened. Biodiversity trends remain concerning: farmland bird declines continue, though pollinator indicators are stable, but longer term trends remain a concern.

Hedgerows show modest improvement, but ongoing deterioration in tree health from ash-dieback remains a concern. Pollution pressures persist, with ammonia emissions rising contributing to nitrogen deposition and soil phosphorus leaching risks increasing. Land use change adds to the complexity of pressures. Overall, ecosystem condition and biodiversity remain low, emphasising the need for accelerated action to meet SMNR aims. Policy developments, notably the Agriculture (Wales) Act 2023, the Soil Policy Statement and the Sustainable Farming Scheme, signal opportunities for more resilient ecosystems and soil resources. Overall, future outlook depends on uptake of nature-friendly practices and adaptation to climate and market drivers.

Read the full assessment of the enclosed farmland ecosystem in our State of Natural Resources Report 2025.

Read this assessment



Underlying evidence

In writing our assessments and to better identify opportunities for action we have gathered evidence that helps us understand these key aspects:

  • the drivers of change and pressures on enclosed farmland in Wales.
  • the ecosystem resilience of enclosed farmland in Wales.
  • the benefits, or services, we get from enclosed farmland and how changes in the state of enclosed farmland impact on well-being.

Access the detailed evidence through our SoNaRR 2025 Evidence portal.

View full screen version.

Evidence needs

Key evidence needs include baseline data on traditional orchards, hedgerows, veteran trees, and arable plant assemblages, as well as improved grassland. There is limited information on the condition of semi-natural habitats within farmland, such as species-rich arable land and wood pasture. Evidence is also needed to define what constitutes “good condition” for productive land and to assess species composition in wood pasture and orchards. Sustainable management practices, including water efficiency and nutrient use, require further investigation to support agro-ecological approaches that complement natural systems and work with nature.

Evidence is needed on soil erosion, compaction, and carbon sequestration potential in grassland soils. The impact of maize crops for biomass, agroforestry systems, and emerging contaminants on ecosystem services is also under scrutiny. Behavioural change in landowners and contractors is a recurring theme, particularly regarding hedgerow management and restoration of wood pasture. These gaps highlight the need for targeted monitoring and policy development to enhance the resilience and sustainability of enclosed farmland in Wales.

A better understanding of the long-term and short-term trends in the establishment and pathways of Invasive non-native species (INNS) in relation to enclosed farmland is needed. There is also limited information on the detailed trends of indicators that are used to estimate the impact of schemes on addressing INNS. There is more evidence about general trends which tend to be similar at a global/EU and GB levels and across most terrestrial ecosystems.

Read SoNaRR 2025 Evidence needs.

Key evidence sources

Explore some of the evidence we have used to inform our assessment:

Case studies

Sustainable Farming Scheme

Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), which starts in 2026, aims to support farmers in the sustainable production of food whilst addressing both the climate and nature emergencies. It addresses the Sustainable Land Management objective in the Agriculture (Wales) Act 2023 to maintain and enhance ecosystem resilience. The scheme will support climate resilience and should support Nature Based Solutions.

Introduction to the Sustainable Farming Scheme | GOV.WALES

Wales plant health sentinel site network

The Wales plant health sentinel site network was established to monitor for plant pests and diseases (including some INNS).

Wales plant health sentinel site network | GOV.WALES

Extreme weather and its impact on farming viability in Wales

Research has found that farmers who are engaged with nature restoration, nature-friendly or more diverse farming practices are more resilient to extreme weather events.

Extreme weather and its impact on farming viability in Wales - WWF Cymru | WWF

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