Ecosystems in the UK are declining in quality leaving the current management practices in question. There are strong arguments in favour of returning land to be managed by natural processes, with benefits including carbon sequestration, floodwater retention, groundwater storage of clean water, nutrient stripping, protection of habitats, wildlife and biodiversity, better resilience to climate change and its potential influences and resources for tourism and recreation. There is also a need to control ungulate (deer and other herbivores) populations and unpredated carnivores such as fox. Additionally the 1992 EU Habitats directive requires member states to examine the feasibility of re-establishing native but extinct species which would in effect require tracts of land to be re-wilded as climax community (forest) land cover would be needed.
However the creation of natural forested areas with non-intervention management has not received large scale support and therefore it has been suggested that this should be carried on the back of species re-establishments as these attract more media coverage and a greater level of support from the public. However the re-introduction of species when they have become extinct for a number of years has become a very contentious issue. The UK contains adequate resources for many lost species including Lynx and Wolf, as evidenced by the successful breeding and dispersal of wild Boar. Many land managers though remain concerned, and a few of those already affected have taken action to try to stop projects. This trend has continued in several countries long after a species has been successfully introduced including Scandinavia and the US.
It has been shown in these and other previous re-establishment projects that local community involvement is crucial to success, examples being the Sea Eagle, Osprey and Red Kite. Therefore if re-wilding projects aim to re-establish mega-fauna (wild horses (tarpan), wild cattle (auroch), elk, and carnivores such as Lynx, Wolf, raptors or Bear) such as is the plan in the Pan-European Ecological Network, local stakeholder involvement will be key.
The general public have been found to be increasingly interested in nature issues, often termed the ’springwatch factor’, however those that are likely to be directly affected by re-wilding projects show significant concerns. An example is the Beaver introductions in Knapdale, Scotland, which has received local criticism from those concerned with riparian issues, forestry and salmon fisheries. The impact of rewilding on land includes lowered production and a loss of the cultural landscape, plus the impact of reintroduced species upon crops, livestock and people. In a study by Nilson et al., (2007) in Scotland it was found that urban respondents have a positive attitude to the re-introduction of wolf, whilst rural respondents have a lower but still positive response.
Reductions in EU farming subsidies, together with a growing interest in the value of wild places and the economic and social benefits which they can confer, are creating a unique opportunity to promote such schemes for large scale habitat restoration and is strongly supported by the Foundation.
This initiative has important implications for conservation in developing countries. If Britain is seen to be re-establishing wild places, and moreover for economic as well as conservation reasons, then developed country proposals for preservation of diminishing habitat and vanishing species in the Third World would carry significantly more credibility.
These proposals are still at a formative stage and consultation with interested parties is underway.
For further information or a copy of the proposal document, contact toby.aykroyd@btinternet.com
