Trophic rewilding as a restoration approach under emerging novel biosphere conditions

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 34(9), P. R435 - R451

Published: May 1, 2024

Language: Английский

---

Rewilding abandoned farmland has greater sustainability benefits than afforestation

npj Biodiversity, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 2(1)

Published: Feb. 8, 2023

Expansive farmlands in Europe and elsewhere are either already abandoned or projected to become abandoned. Afforestation on these is highly popular, but it only addresses the climate crisis, not biodiversity emergency. An alternative afforestation rewilding, which would contribute combating both crises while also facilitating socio-ecological sustainability by increasing ecosystem resilience.

Language: Английский

---

Late‐Quaternary megafauna extinctions have strongly reduced mammalian vegetation consumption

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 32(10), P. 1814 - 1826

Published: June 22, 2023

Abstract Aim How much stronger would the effects of herbivorous mammals be in natural ecosystems if human‐linked extinctions and extirpations had not occurred? Many mammal species have experienced range contractions, numerous gone extinct late Quaternary, completely or large part linked to human pressures. Therefore, herbivore consumption rates seemingly will deviate from their pre‐anthropogenic state. Here, we estimate size this deviation. Location Terrestrial systems, globally. Time period Current. Major taxa studied All late‐Quaternary terrestrial . Methods We estimated mapped vegetation rate by all mammals. did through estimation densities dietary needs. both current ranges present‐natural ranges, that is absence contractions extinctions. compared these net primary productivity (NPP). summarized results across ecosystem types everywhere as well for only last remaining wilderness areas. Results wild consume a median 11% NPP (at scale 96.5 km × grid cells) areas been higher extirpations, namely 21%. Looking at change per cell, losses result 42% reduction rate. Importantly, very similar declines herbivory what are considered Main conclusions Our suggest interaction mammalian herbivores with world strongly reduced prehistoric historic recent losses, even areas, likely major on structure functioning.

Language: Английский

---

Habitat heterogeneity determines species richness on small habitat islands in a fragmented landscape

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 50(5), P. 976 - 986

Published: March 13, 2023

Abstract Aim The small‐island effect (SIE), as an exception to the species–area relationship, has received much attention in true island systems. However, prevalence and related patterns of SIE have not been well evaluated habitat Here, we aimed identify existence for islands fragmented landscapes determine key factors influencing species richness on small islands. Location Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China. Taxon Vascular plants. Methods Based 78 grassland fragments agro‐pastoral ecotone northern China, used piecewise regression, path analysis null models investigate relationship. We then a multi‐model selection evaluate impacts four (instability, isolation, heterogeneity surrounding productivity) (including specialists generalists) within range SIE. Results found obvious threshold 5.1 ha below which area had no direct indirect effects richness. Small (<5.1 ha) host lower percentage higher generalists. On islands, was positively affected by while negatively instability isolation. Habitat strongest richness, affecting specialist generalist Main Conclusions There is should be considered biodiversity conservation. role determining pattern especially generalists different SIE‐related patterns. Our study highlights importance considering ecological groups improve our understanding habitats.

Language: Английский

---

A scoping review of the scientific evidence base for rewilding in Europe

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 285, P. 110243 - 110243

Published: Sept. 1, 2023

Restoring functional ecosystems is crucial to reversing the global biodiversity and climate crises. The concept of rewilding has gained increasing attention as a proactive tool for achieving ecosystem restoration quickly at scale. However, science been criticised being largely theory-led rather than evidence based, factor that continues stymy policy actions. Here, we conduct scoping review with aim mapping nature extent peer-reviewed literature measured outcomes European projects. Our findings reveal significant growth in this area, although geographical bias towards Netherlands Scandinavian countries. synthesis shows that, not or panacea, there growing base support theoretical propositions it can restore biodiversity, deliver services nature-based economies. To advance field address spatial disparity reporting, propose establishment country-specific networks monitored data-driven experimental projects, focused on national contexts. We also standardizing assessment success across sites should be approached caution, considering site-specific self-defining outcomes. Lastly, emphasize importance careful consideration by practitioners terms large herbivore refaunation efforts Europe. Implementing comprehensive long-term plans manage populations unforeseen effects essential mitigate welfare concerns, overgrazing, reputational risks, while maximizing gains.

Language: Английский

---

Ecological restoration and rewilding: two approaches with complementary goals?

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 99(3), P. 820 - 836

Published: Feb. 12, 2024

As we enter the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) and address urgent need to protect restore ecosystems their ecological functions at large scales, rewilding has been brought into limelight. Interest in this discipline is thus increasing, with a number of conceptual scientific papers published recent years. Increasing enthusiasm led discussions debates community about differences between restoration rewilding. The main goal review compare clarify position each field. Our results show that despite some (e.g. top-down versus bottom-up functional taxonomic approaches) notably distinct goals - recovery defined historically determined target ecosystem natural processes often no endpoint have common scope: following anthropogenic degradation. expanded progress However, it unclear whether there paradigm shift moving towards or vice versa. We underline complementarity time space To conclude, argue reconciliation these two fields nature conservation ensure could create synergy achieve scope.

Language: Английский

---

Integrating functional traits into trophic rewilding science

Journal of Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 112(5), P. 936 - 953

Published: April 6, 2024

Abstract Trophic rewilding is gaining rapid momentum as a means of restoration across the world. Advances in research are elucidating wide‐ranging effects trophic and megafauna re‐establishment on ecosystem properties processes including resilience, nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, productivity plant richness. A substantial gap remains how affects frequency expression functional traits, key hypothesised avenue by which can affect biodiversity processes. Yet, there extensive literature examining mammal herbivory exclusion traits from we may infer potential reintroductions. Here, synthesise to show multifaceted ways that composition responds mammalian explore these responses modulated density identity herbivores well resource availability, historical contingency. We further interactions quantitative analysis European species. In addition, link broad patterns between invasions predict be able reduce invasive dominance, ecosystems around world transitioning towards novel states, occupied mix native introduced Expanding current herbivore (and their implications for rewilding) beyond species richness measurable help assess quantify were not previously possible. Trait approaches test mechanistic hypotheses top‐down impacts large communities reveal links properties. Synthesis . Given rapid, much‐needed expansion activities world, trait‐based ecology offers pathway generalisable predictions rewilding, particularly context both unique landscape associated with (e.g. scale spatiotemporal variability, dispersal) widely emerging ecosystems.

Language: Английский

---

Nature-based solutions and restoration are intertwined but not identical: Highlighting implications for societies and ecosystems

Nature-Based Solutions, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 5, P. 100116 - 100116

Published: Feb. 22, 2024

Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) and ecosystem restoration are often conflated, but cannot be assumed to identical. Understanding choosing between different framings is important. It affects our ambitions for reinvigorating natural systems, the range of actors resources that can drawn on achieve them, every part how interventions planned, delivered appraised. To explore differences relationships concepts we focus freshwater catchment management initiatives, points relevant initiatives focused other settings or framed in terms. We firstly identify potential by analysing accepted definitions Solutions; then illustrate these with examples UK Ireland, which familiar from own work collaborations. These real-world cases demonstrate NbS lead priorities ecosystems processes managed; who involved projects develop. The also show may somewhere a continuum two concepts, potentially shift over time. There lack clarity why terms used, causing sometimes unacknowledged confusion missed opportunities improve management. Different stakeholder groups could benefit more opportunity explicitly reflect preferred goals, implications this. need explicit reflection purpose an intervention, site-managers policy enabling plan vision. Given time lags outcomes, it particularly important use insights adaptive approaches understand changing drivers shaping current future action.

Language: Английский

---

Wilderness values in rewilding: Transatlantic perspectives

Environmental Values, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 15, 2025

This article re-investigates the underlying values driving rapidly growing rewilding movement in Europe and North America. In doing so, we respond to a common academic narrative that draws sharp distinction between American European approaches rewilding. Whereas first is said promote colonial vision of wilderness, claimed value more inclusive notion wildness. We challenge this through genealogical investigation into wild(er)ness ideas inspired rewilding, showing draw from similar philosophical sources with cross-continental origins. Thus, contend linguistic shift ‘wilderness’ ‘wildness’ fails engage substantively critique it alleges resolve. Through two case studies, show how both wilderness wildness concepts have been employed support either colonialism or decolonial resistance attention need consider specific socio-political contexts when assessing Ultimately, propose reclaiming liberatory meaning wild(er)ness, articulated critical tradition advocacy, will be an essential step decolonising

Language: Английский

---

Would you walk here? Urban wildscapes as visual settings for utility and recreational walks

Cities, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 158, P. 105704 - 105704

Published: Jan. 17, 2025

Language: Английский

---