Rewilding

Table of Contents

Introduction

Scientists believe we need to protect at least 50% of the planet's wild habitats in order for life on Earth to function effectively.

"Protected areas are defined geographical spaces which are managed in order to ensure their long term conservation, providing us with invaluable ecosystem services and cultural values. They are vital to preserving biodiversity and human livelihoods and also provide us with solutions to modern challenges such as food and water security, human health and well-being, disaster risk reduction and climate change. Today, there are approximately 200,000 protected areas in the world, which cover around 14.6% of the world’s land and 2.8% of its oceans." - https://www.iucn.org/regions/europe/our-work/biodiversity-conservation/natura-2000-europes-protected-areas-network 


According to one study published in the journal Ecography, "... reintroducing just 20 large mammals — 13 herbivore and seven predator species — can help biodiversity bounce back around the world and tackle climate change in the process. Among these candidates for rewilding are brown bears, bison, wild horses, jaguars, reindeer, Eurasian beavers, elk, moose, wolverines, tigers, and hippopotamuses.

The researchers also identify 30 priority ecoregions on five continents that meet key criteria: They lack no more than one to three of the large herbivores and predators historically present, provide extensive habitat, and can feasibly be restored in the coming decade. These areas range from the flooded grasslands of South Sudan and the dry puna of the Central Andes to the xeric grasslands and shrublands of the Chihuahuan Desert, where intact communities of large mammals could be restored in the next five to 10 years, the scientists say." - https://e360.yale.edu/features/large-mammals-rewilding-carbon-climate-change

"Rewilding is a progressive approach to conservation. It’s about letting nature take care of itself, enabling natural processes to shape land and sea, repair damaged ecosystems and restore degraded landscapes. Through rewilding, wildlife’s natural rhythms create wilder, more biodiverse habitats." - https://rewildingeurope.com/what-is-rewilding-2/

According to the article below "In the past two or three decades, research has underscored the importance of large mammals like bison as ecosystem engineers, shaping and maintaining natural processes and sequestering large amounts of carbon. But the world’s large herbivores and predators continue to suffer alarming losses. Researchers estimate that almost two-thirds of the world’s large carnivores are threatened with extinction. Fewer than 6 percent of 730 ecoregions worldwide studied by scientists still have the extensive, intact large-mammal communities that were dominant 500 years ago."

Between 2000 and 2015, 20% of the global landmass became degraded, but restoring our landscapes could contribute to over 1/3rd of the total climate mitigation goal by 2030, and restoring 15%of converted land could help us avoid 60% of expected extinctions. - http://restoreyourcommunity.org/

For Educators

Types of Habitat

Click the buttons below to learn more about these biomes, what threatens them, as well as what we can do to protect and restore them.

The Sahel

Major Problems & Pitfalls

This sections talks about problems facing our rewilding efforts (for example, studies have found that more money goes into destructive subsidies that spur deforestation and overfishing, vs the tiny fraction of funding that goes to conservation), as well as mistakes made in previous rewilding attempts. By addressing these issues, we can ensure that any efforts have an increased chance of success.

Deforestation & Replacement of Forests or Other Important Biomes with Monoculture, Often Non-Native, Invasive Trees 

"In 2010, the world had 3.92Gha of tree cover, extending over 30% of its land area. In 2020, it lost 25.8Mha of tree cover."

"From 2002 to 2020, there was a total of 64.7Mha humid primary forest lost globally, making up 16% of its total tree cover loss in the same time period. Total area of humid primary forest decreased globally by 6.3% in this time period."

"From 2001 to 2020, there was a total of 411Mha of tree cover loss globally, equivalent to a 10% decrease in tree cover since 2000 and 165Gt of CO₂ emissions."

"Globally from 2001 to 2019, 27% of tree cover loss occurred in areas where the dominant drivers of loss resulted in deforestation." - https://www.globalforestwatch.org 

Protected Area Downgrading, Downsizing, & Degazettement (PADDD)

"We think of national parks and other protected areas as permanent fixtures on the landscape, but they are not necessarily permanent. Research reveals widespread legal changes to protected areas that temper restrictions (downgrade), shrink boundaries (downsize), or eliminate protections completely (degazette). As restrictions are scaled back, the natural benefits and values within the areas can also be lost. Although scaling back protections does not necessarily undermine conservation, most changes globally are related to industrial-scale resource extraction and development, land uses inconsistent with conservation objectives."


"Protected areas are widely considered the cornerstone of conservation. But laws governing protected lands and waters are increasingly being altered around the world – restrictions are relaxed, boundaries shrunk, and sites are eliminated entirely."


"Between 1892 and 2020, 74 countries enacted more than 4,400 PADDD events, affecting an area nearly the size of India. Between 1944 and 2019, 26 countries proposed more than 1,100 PADDD events. 


Most (61% of) enacted PADDD events globally are related to industrial-scale resource extraction and development, including infrastructure, industrial agriculture, oil and gas, and mining.


Rollbacks to protected areas appear to be increasing – most events (77%) were enacted since the year 2000


The United States and Brazil are emerging hotspots of PADDD." - https://www.padddtracker.org/  

Fortress Conservation

Fortress conservation "is “the idea that to protect forests and biodiversity, ecosystems need to function in isolation, devoid of people,” the Rapporteur told the Guardian. “This model - favoured by governments for over a century - ignores the growing body of evidence that forests thrive when Indigenous Peoples remain on their customary lands and have legally recognised rights to manage and protect them.”"

Poaching and Destructive Techniques

Poachers Leave traps all over forest floors. In aquatic ecosystems poachers use explosives, cyanide, and other damaging methods to take fish and corals.

Lack of Will/Awareness Means  Poaching Goes Unreported

This page about the poaching faced by tidal pools cautions the public, "Tidepooling can be a safe and enjoyable outdoor activity that allows visitors to connect with nature while still maintaining a physical distance from others. However, to minimize impact on tidepools and the marine organisms and wildlife WILDCOAST is making the following recommendations to Protect our Tidepools: 1) be aware of stepping on on anything that’s alive, 2) avoid turning over rocks to investigate further- turning over rocks results in disrupting and redecorating an organism’s home, 3) leave all animals where they are; and 4) do not take anything home."

Resources

The following resources bellow are written for Oregon, so the contact information will only be useful for people in Oregon. Otherwise you should contact your local Wildlife Warden, the police, or whoever has jurisdiction over wildlife crime in your area.

Organizations

Lack of Connectivity is Deadly

When populations are cut off from others, genetic diversity suffers, making animals more prone to inbreeding, poor immunities, and disease. When animals venture from safe areas, interactions with humans or vehicles can be deadly. Animals can become disoriented by our noise and light pollution. When the animals enter human areas, they are at increase risk of collisions with windows, powerlines, straying into farmland where they are often persecuted, and accidental or intentional poisonings.

Introducing too many herbivores without apex predators to maintain healthy populations 

Traps & Explosives in Ecosystems

Traps are left in the wild by hunters, the fishing industry and poachers alike. Explosives have been left during wars or even by Wildlife Management organizations who leave deadly traps such as cyanide bombs which unfortunately kill endangered animals, children, and pets instead of the intended target animals.

Derelict Trap Removal Programs

USA

Tree Planting Scams Kill Public Trust

Tree-Planting Scams & Deceptions (Brief Version) © Michael Thau of Plant-It 2020 (PDF) "Individual contributors and businesses are unaware of the many scams and deceptions within the nonprofit tree-planting industry. While some tree-planting organizations are strictly 'quality-focused' others may be engaging in activities and communications that are dishonest, deceptive and immoral. This article will present an industry insider’s view regarding some of the ways in which some nonprofit tree-planting organizations may be running scams and deceiving their contributors. Readers will learn what red flags to look for, what questions to ask before making a contribution and how to properly select a treeplanting organization that best meet your needs."

The best tree-planting schemes are generally smaller, well planned, and close enough to people that the trees can be properly cared for. This means smaller, community or schoolyard plantings often have the most success. Click the Trees button to learn where you or your group can get affordable or free trees for your planting project. Some organizations listed help fund plantings in poor areas, giving students and communities the opportunity to plant life-changing trees in their own area.

Examples of Success

Extinction Reversal with Breeding Programs

Historic Reintroduction Reverses Extinction of England’s Rarest Frog 

"The northern pool frog, England’s rarest amphibian, has been successfully reintroduced to Thompson Common in Norfolk – reversing its disappearance from there in the 1990s. Thompson Common was the last site at which this species occurred prior to its extinction from England. 

Staff from Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) released more than 300 tadpoles into the reserve's pingos, post-glacial pools which offer the perfect habitat for the creatures. The tadpoles had been reared in captivity, away from predators, to increase the numbers of young frogs that survive through the tadpole stage."

"“The northern pool frog is very different from the common frog, which is the other native species of frog that we have in Britain. They look and behave differently – and they call loudly.  Also, they lay fewer eggs, so they're much more vulnerable. A common frog can produce around 2,000 eggs, whereas a pool frog produces only about 500 or so."

Revitalizing Damaged Ecosystems

Aquatic Ecosystems

Click the Aquatic button to learn about methods and organization currently helping to restore and revitalize aquatic eco-systems.

Waterways & Wetlands

Beavers recreating wetlands more cheaply and effectively than humans. They boost biodiversity, reduce fire risk and intensity, create spawning areas for species including salmon, reduce flooding while improving ground water resources. Click the Beaver button to learn more.

Prime Locations to Work 

Places Which are at High Risk of Biodiversity Loss

These places first need to be given legal protections and to be protected from retrograding , then serious efforts need to be made the halt and reverse biodiversity loss. To help pinpoint these areas we have gathered the following maps and data of different regions.

Farmland 

On a farmland, even the lone tree in a field can act as an island for migratory birds, while wildflower strips and riparian zones can act as wildlife corridors, as well as fulfilling many other biological needs.

Gardens

For spaces that have already been impacted by farming and urbanization, gardening is another way pretty much anyone can help. Even if you only have a small balcony or alleyway, you can help contribute via wildlife gardening.

Schools, businesses, and other larger groups can also get involved. Raised beds can be created for gardeners with limited mobility to care for plants that can support wildlife.

Global

Biodiversity Loss Breaching Safe Limits Worldwide (article and map from the Natural History Museum) "The loss of species diversity has reached unsafe levels across 58% of the world's land surface, according to a new assessment led by Museum scientists."

To Protect the World’s Wildlife We Must Improve Crop Yields – Especially Across Africa "Habitat loss is the biggest threat to the world’s animals. Without improvements in crop yields, thousands of species could see much of their habitat lost to farmland." Includes maps and graphs."

Africa


North America 

USA

General

Wolves

Green Belts and Greenways

These are already established in many places around the world, but more are being planned, or are in need of being created. Conservation organizations, politicians, communities, and farmers can benefit greatly from these areas which can absorb flooding, provide safe outside space for humans, while allowing wilderness safe passage in places that might otherwise become urbanized. Some of these projects are designed specifically with the reduction of reducing heat islands and cleaning air, while other's are intended to boost employment, fend of desertification, and provide safe water for agricultural communities.

Click the button to learn more about existing greenways around the world, as well as organizations that focus on creating and conserving these special places.

Migratory Routes 

These are long swathes of land, sea, oceans, and lakes, meaning that more places along these routes for wildlife to rest and refuel safely is more important than ever.

Reservations 

Many reservations are already working on rewilding and revitalizing damaged lands. Indigenous communities around the world are taking charge of their future's by implementing breeding and release programs, rewilding, and other vital projects for future generations to enjoy.

Highly Threatened Species

Muskox

The Last Muskox in Sweden are Dying Out - Here's How We Can Help 19:26 minute video

Indicators & Useful Concepts

Indicator Species

Indicator species give important information about an ecosystem simply by being present or not. Their presence may indicate temperatures, soil/water/air quality. Their plumage, fur, petal, or leaf colours may indicate certain levels of acidity or the presence/disappearance of nutritious food sources. Disappearance of species like fireflies may indicate the presence of pesticides, light pollution, ecocidal gardening practices (like leaf-blower use), or frequent trampling/harvesting by humans.

Edge Effect

This phenomenon of increased biodiversity at the intersecting borders of one of more ecosystem can have both positive and negative effects on ecosystems. Some natural examples include shorelines where seabirds and land animals can benefit from aquatic food sources, or how some birds prefer to nest along the edges of forests and grasslands. However negative examples might include sunlight breaking through the forest's edge, causing drying in the interior, or how man-made paths/roads can bring unwanted invasive plants or predators to delicate ecosystems.

A simple way to boost biodiversity on an unwanted yard, is to create different systems with uneven and overlapping boundaries. For example a stone wall bordering a pollinator garden, with a rock garden, a small planting of trees, and a wildlife-friendly water source. Each section increasing the availability of food, shelter, sunning locations, and nesting materials for a variety of species.

Tools

Europe

UK

Scotland

Groups

Programs

International

North America

USA

Maps

Prime Locations for Rewilding

Rewilding Organization Networks

International

Europe

UK

Educational Opportunities

Grants & Funding

International

Europe

UK

Scotland

North America

USA

Minnesota

Oceana

Australia

Western Australia