Making rewilding fit for policy

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 55(3), P. 1114 - 1125

Published: Jan. 22, 2018

Abstract Rewilding, here defined as “the reorganisation of biota and ecosystem processes to set an identified social–ecological system on a preferred trajectory, leading the self‐sustaining provision services with minimal ongoing management,” is increasingly considered environmental management option, potential for enhancing both biodiversity services. Despite burgeoning interest in concept, there are uncertainties difficulties associated practical implementation rewilding projects, while evidence available facilitating sound decision‐making initiatives remains elusive. We identify five key research areas inform future initiatives: increased understanding links between actions impacts; improved risk assessment processes, through, example, better definition quantification ecological risks; predictions spatio‐temporal variation economic costs benefits; identification characterisation likely social impacts given project; facilitated emergence comprehensive framework monitoring evaluation projects. Policy implications . Environmental legislation commonly based “compositionalist” paradigm itself predicated preservation historical conditions characterised by presence particular species assemblages habitat types. However, global change driving some ecosystems beyond their limits so that restoration benchmarks or modern equivalents may no longer be option. This means current policy context could present barriers broad To progress agenda, appreciation opportunities constraints required. This, together clear scientifically robust rationale its local implementation, prerequisite engage governments revising where required facilitate operationalisation rewilding.

Language: Английский

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Using ecosystem engineers as tools in habitat restoration and rewilding: beaver and wetlands

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 605-606, P. 1021 - 1030

Published: July 12, 2017

Potential for habitat restoration is increasingly used as an argument reintroducing ecosystem engineers. Beaver have well known effects on hydromorphology through dam construction, but their scope to restore wetland biodiversity in areas degraded by agriculture largely inferred. Our study presents the first formal monitoring of a planned beaver-assisted restoration, focussing changes vegetation over 12 years within agriculturally-degraded fen following beaver release, based repeated sampling fixed plots. Effects are compared ungrazed exclosures which allowed wider influence waterlogging be separated from disturbance tree felling and herbivory. After presence mean plant species richness had increased average 46% per plot, whilst cumulative number recorded 148%. Heterogeneity, measured dissimilarity plot composition, 71%. Plants associated with high moisture light conditions significantly coverage, whereas indicative nitrogen decreased. Areas exposed both grazing generally showed most pronounced change seemingly additive, secondary, those waterlogging. illustrates that well-known engineer, beaver, can time transform agricultural land into comparatively species-rich heterogeneous environment, thus meeting common objectives. This offers passive innovative solution problems loss complements value beavers water or sediment storage flow attenuation. The role larger herbivores has been overlooked our understanding freshwater function; use such may yet emerge missing ingredient successful restoration.

Language: Английский

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Probiotic Environmentalities: Rewilding with Wolves and Worms

Theory Culture & Society, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 34(4), P. 27 - 48

Published: Feb. 23, 2017

A probiotic turn is underway in the management of human and environmental health. Modern approaches are being challenged by deliberate interventions that introduce formerly taboo life forms into bodies, homes, cities wider countryside. These guided concepts drawn from sciences, including immunity resilience. This analysis critically evaluates this turn, drawing on examples rewilding nature reserves reworming microbiome. It identifies a common ontology socio-ecological systems marked anthropogenic absences tipped across thresholds less desirable states. examines operation an mode biopower associated with efforts to engineer ecologies through introduction keystone species. offers set criteria for evaluating degree which these transform or sustain prevalent late modern biopolitics. The conclusion reflects potentials environmentalities hospitable government beyond Anthropocene.

Language: Английский

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The consequences of replacing wildlife with livestock in Africa

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 7(1)

Published: Dec. 4, 2017

The extirpation of native wildlife species and widespread establishment livestock farming has dramatically distorted large mammal herbivore communities across the globe. Ecological theory suggests that these shifts in form intensity herbivory have had substantial impacts on a range ecosystem processes, but for most ecosystems it is impossible to quantify changes accurately. We address challenges using species-level biomass data from sub-Saharan Africa both present day reconstructed historical communities. Our analyses reveal pronounced losses wetter areas increases functional type turnover arid regions. Fire prevalence likely been altered over vast where grazer transitioned above or below threshold at which grass fuel reduction can suppress fire. Overall, composition promote an expansion woody cover. Total methane emissions more than doubled, lateral nutrient diffusion capacity 5% past levels. release fundamental ecological constraints regions appears pose greater threats function do mesic regions, fire remains major consumer.

Language: Английский

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A rewilding agenda for Europe: creating a network of experimental reserves

Ecography, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 39(2)

Published: June 13, 2015

In the context of aging European conservation institutions rewilding has emerged as a popular and scientific expression new directions in ecology management associated with restoration ecosystem function through reassembly trophic levels involving reintroduction large mammals. It introduces radical natural archetype that evokes positive environmentalism. The Oostvaardersplassen experiment Netherlands demonstrates agency for nature development engaging diverse publics debates on what is future policy. If to retain its cultural policy visibility influence 21st century multi‐cultural Europe, our natures we value must adapt. this forum I frame an asset institutional adaptation being constrained by substantive societal resistance. argue need strategic investment network experimental sites. These would bring into densely populated areas, develop science practice restoration, promote public debate futures. ‘Fitness check’ legislation mandated 2014 case high politics. situation, compromise negotiation inevitable environmental lobby needs something advocate well defend. A agenda could fulfil need.

Language: Английский

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Justice Through a Multispecies Lens

Contemporary Political Theory, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 19(3), P. 475 - 512

Published: March 17, 2020

Language: Английский

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Rewilding the world's large carnivores

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 5(3), P. 172235 - 172235

Published: March 1, 2018

Earth's terrestrial large carnivores form a highly endangered group of species with unique conservation challenges. The majority these have experienced major geographical range contractions, which puts many them at high risk extinction or becoming ecologically ineffective. As result contractions and the associated loss intact predator guilds, ecological effects are now far less widespread common, inevitable consequences for ecosystem function. Rewilding—which includes reintroducing into portions their former ranges—is an important carnivore tool means restoring top-down regulation. We conducted global analysis potential reintroduction areas. first considered protected areas where one more been extirpated, identifying total 130 that may be most suitable reintroduction. These include sites in every world region, commonly found Mongolia ( n = 13), Canada 11), Thailand 9), Namibia 6), Indonesia 6) Australia 6). sizes areas, levels protection, extent human impacts within around status prey Finally, we used ‘last wild’ approach to identify contiguous low footprint regions ranges each species, additional 150 could focus efforts create conditions conducive reintroductions. were USA 14), Russia 10), China 9) Mauritania 8). Together, our results show global-scale rewilding projects both conserve provide critical social benefits.

Language: Английский

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One hundred priority questions for landscape restoration in Europe

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 221, P. 198 - 208

Published: March 18, 2018

Language: Английский

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Forest landscape restoration: state of play

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 7(12), P. 201218 - 201218

Published: Dec. 1, 2020

Tree planting has been widely touted as an inexpensive way to meet multiple international environmental goals for mitigating climate change, reversing landscape degradation and restoring biodiversity restoration. The Bonn Challenge New York Declaration on Forests, motivated by widespread deforestation forest degradation, call 350 million ha 2030 relying restoration (FLR) processes. Because the 173 commitments made 63 nations, regions companies are not legally binding, expectations of what FLR means lacks consensus. frequent disconnect between top-level aspirations on-the-ground implementation results in limited data activities. Additionally, some countries have landscape-scale outside Challenge. We compared contrasted theory practice compiled information from databases projects initiatives case studies. present main happening across regional groups; many regions, potential need/opportunity exceeds activities underway. Multiple objectives can be met manipulating vegetation (increasing structural complexity, changing species composition natural disturbances). Livelihood interventions context-specific but include collecting or raising non-timber products, employment community forests; other address tenure governance.

Language: Английский

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Can trophic rewilding reduce the impact of fire in a more flammable world?

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 373(1761), P. 20170443 - 20170443

Published: Oct. 22, 2018

Large vertebrates affect fire regimes in several ways: by consuming plant matter that would otherwise accumulate as fuel; controlling and varying the density of vegetation; engineering soil litter layer. These processes can regulate frequency, intensity extent fire. The evidence for these effects is strongest environments with intermediate rainfall, warm temperatures graminoid-dominated ground vegetation. Probably, extinction Quaternary megafauna triggered increased biomass burning many such environments. Recent continuing declines large are likely to be significant contributors changes vegetation currently being experienced parts world. To date, rewilding projects aim restore herbivores have paid little attention value animals moderating regimes. Rewilding potentially offers a powerful tool managing risks wildfire its impacts on natural human values. This article part theme issue ‘Trophic rewilding: consequences ecosystems under global change’.

Language: Английский

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