Imagine wolves roaming vast forests, bears hunting in mountain streams, and large herds of deer grazing on open plains. This may seem like a scene from a bygone era in many parts of Europe, but it could be the future.
According to a study published in the scientific journal Current BiologyAt least a quarter of Europe is waiting to be “rewilded.” Its total area is 117 million hectares. For comparison: that’s about 30 times the size of the Netherlands. The term “rewilding” may bring to mind weeds in your backyard, but it’s much more than that. It’s about restoring ecosystems to their original state, before humans left their mark on them.
The researchers have created a kind of “wildness map” of Europe. This shows where the best opportunities for rewilding lie. This concerns areas of at least 10,000 hectares, where a variety of plant and animal species live. Surprisingly, the colder regions of Europe appear to be the most suitable. Scandinavia, Scotland and the Baltic states top the list, but the mountainous regions of the Iberian Peninsula also offer good opportunities, according to the researchers.
Different strategies
But how do you deal with something so big? Scientists distinguish between two strategies: passive and active rewilding. With passive rewilding, you largely let nature take its own course. Animals like deer, caribou, elk and rabbits colonize abandoned areas on their own. Naturally, larger predators like wolves, bears and lynx follow.
Active rewilding is a bit more complex. This strategy is essential in areas that lack important animal species. Here, missing links in the ecosystem are manually reintroduced. The goal is the same: to create a self-sufficient and biodiverse landscape.
Miguel B. Araújo, one of the study’s authors, againstHe equates herbivores with “ecosystem engineers” who shape landscapes through their grazing behavior. In his view, predators are “architects” who create “landscapes of fear” that predators avoid. The interaction between the two groups creates a diverse landscape full of biodiversity.
What is the purpose?
This ambitious plan is in line with the European Biodiversity Strategy 2030. This strategy, a cornerstone of the European Green Deal, aims to put 30 percent of Europe’s land area under protection, a third of which must be very strictly protected. The research by Araújo and his team provides a concrete roadmap for achieving these goals.
However, the strategy goes beyond just protecting the country. It also includes plans to restore degraded ecosystems, address the causes of biodiversity loss, and promote nature conservation in decision-making. And through the proposed EU Nature Restoration Act, Europe wants to set legally binding targets for the restoration of specific habitats and species.
Also possible in the Netherlands?
For some countries, including the UK, France, Spain and the Nordic countries, achieving their conservation goals is within reach if they adopt the strategies suggested in the study. Other countries, such as the Netherlands and Belgium, will have to be more creative because of their high population density. Think greening cities, creating ecological corridors between nature reserves, or promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
However, according to the researchers, there is no time to waste. Climate change could dramatically reshape the map of suitable rewilding areas in the coming decades. “We are in a race against time,” says Araujo. “Areas that look most promising for rewilding now may not be so in 50 years because of the effects of climate change.”
