The role of hedgerows in soil functioning within agricultural landscapes

•Woody hedgerow soils are less compacted with lower water content than adjacent fields.•Nitrate and phosphate concentrations were larger in soil water under hedgerows.•Permeability and storm water storage was greater under hedgerows than arable fields.•Earthworm diversity was greater in pasture and margin soils, followed by hedgerows.•Hedgerow soils hosted a distinct community of total and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi..