For years, conservation has been perceived as purely intervention, the planting of trees, limiting invasive species, and carefully managing each facet of an ecosystem. But a growing body of ecological science points towards a quieter, more radical solution. Sometimes the best thing we as humans can do for the environment is step back and allow nature to take its course. Rewilding is one primary example of this, and results are progressively becoming more favorable over time. The premise of rewildwilding operates on several requirements. First the ecosystem is in need of the right keystone species, which are certain animals that an ecosystem needs in order to function, such as beavers in wetlands, or coral in the ocean floor. Secondly, an ecosystem needs enough space and time to develop away from human interaction. With this, degraded land can heal and become more resilient than it once was because of a reengineered and updated land. A dying environment is capable of bringing back what it once was.
Another piece of compelling evidence stems from Europe, where large amounts of abandoned farm land have been untouched for decades. The Rewilding Europe Initiative is constantly working on projects to fix agricultural fields in areas such as the Netherlands, Romania, and Portugal. With this we see that these various areas have transformed across a matter of years, not decades. Over a short period of time, with an adapting ecosystem, it is possible for the land to be restored. Even in California we have seen dense shrubland, forests, and biodiverse grasslands manifest in short periods of time. Animal species return on their own. We have proven that biomes can recover, and lands can regain a sense of their prior self.
Although rewilding and the trophic cascade are usually strong enough on their own, in certain situations, the wrong amount of herbivores or carnivores can disrupt the balance of a recovering ecosystem, whether it’s too many or not enough. For example, in 1995, the Yellowstone National Park reintroduced wolves. These wolves hunted elks, therefore changing the entire behavior of the elk population. The vegetation and landscape were affected, and the eroded banks began to rebuild themselves. The reintroduction of one animal shifted the entire ecosystem, and changed the landscape and behaviors of other animals. This is often referred to as the “landscape of fear” effect, where prey move differently, especially in the presence of a predator. This habitual change can turn an environment upside down.
What rewilding ultimately demonstrates is that ecosystems are active and built to be maintained. They are dynamic and resilient. The common misconception about environmental restoration is that all projects weigh on the intervention of humans. Yet, the contrary is true, the environment on its own is resilient. They are also vital and an adaptive part of our Earth, shaped by predation, disturbance, decomposition, and time. Human engagement is a great methodology of ecological restoration, but it is not the only source of recovery.