Chapter 16 (Sandom and Macdonald).pdf (6.41 MB)
What next? Rewilding as a radical future for the British countryside
chapter
posted on 2023-06-08, 23:41 authored by Christopher SandomChristopher Sandom, David W MacdonaldRewilding is an optimistic environmental agenda to reverse the loss of biodiversity and reconnect society with nature. This chapter explores Britain’s ecological history, back to the Last Interglacial before the arrival of modern humans, when the climate was similar to today, to analyse how conservationists can learn from the past to rewild the ecosystems of the present and prepare for an uncertain future. Because there is no single point in history that should or could be recreated, rewilding focuses on re-establishing naturally dynamic ecological processes that, through an appropriate sequence of species reintroductions, attempts to move the ecosystem towards a more appropriately biodiverse and functional state. A state that is self-sustaining in the present climate, and that projected for the near future. Specifically, this chapter explores a rewilding solution to conservation challenges associated with over-grazing, limited germination niche availability, and river dynamics: the reintroduction of wolves, wild boar, and beaver respectively. This sequence of reintroductions is suggested to be complimentary, each altering ecosystem dynamics to facilitate the return of the next. Evidence indicates wolves will reduce deer abundance and re-distribute browsing intensity promoting tree regeneration, particularly in riparian areas, increasing woodland availability to the more habitat-dependent wild boar and beaver. An important message behind rewilding is that a rich biodiversity with all guilds well represented, including the ones that polarize public opinion, such as large predators, are important components of ecosystem service rich and self-sustaining ecosystems, particularly in core areas.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Publisher
Oxford University PressPage range
291-316Book title
Wildlife Conservation on Farmland: Managing for Nature on Lowland FarmsPlace of publication
OxfordISBN
9780198745488Department affiliated with
- Evolution, Behaviour and Environment Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- No
Editors
David W Macdonald, Ruth E FeberLegacy Posted Date
2016-01-21First Open Access (FOA) Date
2016-03-22First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2016-03-22Usage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedKeywords
Licence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC