The present paper combines the classification of hedgerows in relation to surface soil moisture with the consideration of drivers of change (environmental, demographic, and policy) affecting the areal extent of hedgerow land cover in central Spain. These landscapes have a high cultural significance and functionality that needs to be preserved and improved. The hedgerow network of a continental Mediterranean mountain was mapped and different levels of surface soil moisture were estimated utilising images of the satellite Sentinel-2. In addition, we analysed the areal extent of hedgerows from 1956 to the present in relation to slope, surface soil moisture and distance from the metropolitan area.

In the last 70 years there has been a decrease in the surface area of hedgerows in central Spain. In the study area in particular, this decrease represents 48.26% of the total hedgerow network identified in 1956. 51.62% of abandoned hedgerow areas demonstrate a low degree of surface soil moisture and are usually located on slopes greater than 5%. As a result, driest hedgerows -less fertile, accessible and productive- have lost their functionality in many cases. In addition, urban expansion and the proximity to Madrid Metropolitan Area are processes that have caused the loss of 9.33% of the hedgerows in the study area since 1956.

We integrated an overview of European, national and regional policies related to hedgerow functions involving biodiversity, cultural heritage, rural development and spatial planning. This paper contributes to the knowledge of changing Mediterranean hedgerows and the current status of their protection within the different legislations. We conclude there are legislative tools at a European level of interest for the hedgerow landscape, however its identification and management at regional level are scarce.

本文将树篱与地表土壤水分相关的分类与影响西班牙中部树篱土地覆盖面积变化的驱动因素（环境，人口和政策）进行了综合考虑。这些景观具有很高的文化意义和功能，需要加以保护和改善。绘制了地中海大陆山脉的树篱网络，并利用Sentinel-2卫星的图像估算了不同水平的土壤表层水分。此外，我们分析了1956年至今的篱笆面积与坡度，地表土壤湿度和与都市区的距离有关。

在过去的70年中，西班牙中部的树篱表面积有所减少。特别是在研究区域，这一下降代表了1956年确定的全部树篱网络的48.26％。51.62％的废弃树篱区域表层土壤湿度较低，通常位于大于5％的斜坡上。结果，在许多情况下，最干燥的树篱-肥沃，交通不便和生产效率低下-失去了功能。此外，自1956年以来，城市扩张和靠近马德里大都市区的过程已造成研究区域的树篱损失了9.33％。

我们对与树篱功能有关的欧洲，国家和区域政策进行了综合概述，涉及生物多样性，文化遗产，农村发展和空间规划。本文有助于了解不断变化的地中海树篱及其在不同立法中的保护现状。我们得出结论，欧洲对树篱景观有兴趣的立法工具，但是在区域一级对树篱的识别和管理却很少。