Rewilding nature: Restoring balance to the ecosystem

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• November 2, 2021

Rewilding, the art of breathing life back into ecosystems, takes several forms - from reintroducing ancient plant species to minimally intervening in natural progress. This nature-first approach not only enriches ecosystems but also opens avenues for sustainable economies and healthier communities. Despite challenges, this trend paves the way for promising collaboration between conservation efforts, technological innovation, and public policy.

Rewilding nature context

There are several types of rewilding. Pleistocene rewilding aims to reintroduce descendants of plant species from the Pleistocene era (Ice Age), which is similar to introducing a completely new species. Passive rewilding requires minimizing human intervention and simply allowing nature to take its course and expand naturally. The last type is translocation rewilding or trophic rewilding, which entails two things: reinforcements or adding to an existing population for a better gene pool, and reintroductions, which is bringing back a population of a lost species to its original habitat. 

An example of a successful translocation rewilding project happened in the 1990s in the Yellowstone National Park, when wolves were reintroduced. The result was a more controlled elk population, which then resulted to overgrazed plant species recovering. Rewilding efforts are still gaining ground. In 2021, the UK is planning to release beavers to five counties, where they have disappeared for hundreds of years.

Disruptive impact

The reintroduction of apex predators and large herbivores, integral to maintaining balance in ecosystems, can bring about flourishing food chains. Moreover, in regions surrounding the wildlands, rewilding could foster new ecotourism opportunities, offering a sustainable way to boost local economies. Improved air quality, cleaner water sources, and enhanced biodiversity can contribute to better public health outcomes. Furthermore, with nature's inherent ability for self-regulation, this approach can be more cost-effective in the long run compared to more interventionist strategies.

The notion of rewilding has also begun to influence marine conservation strategies, where its implementation can be significantly more challenging. Reintroducing extinct or endangered marine life to crucial areas of the ocean aims to restore balance in these vital ecosystems. For instance, rewilding efforts might involve the creation of marine reserves and no-fishing zones, which would protect reintroduced species and allow for their populations to recover. These reserves could also serve as sites for eco-friendly tourism, providing an alternative income source for communities traditionally reliant on fishing.

Nevertheless, the challenges of marine rewilding underscore the importance of collaboration and innovation in making such initiatives successful. Overcoming the difficulties of tracking reintroduced species in vast marine ecosystems, for example, may require advancements in technology. This need could open up opportunities for technology companies to partner with conservationists in developing novel tracking technologies or AI-driven predictive models. Similarly, governments and international bodies could play an essential role in curbing overfishing, setting regulations, and encouraging sustainable practices, thus creating a conducive environment for marine rewilding.

Implications of rewilding nature 

Wider implications of rewilding nature may include:

• Biotechnology companies developing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to produce sufficient animal and plant species for reintroduction.
• The food processing industry pivoting to sustainable food sources by ensuring suppliers replenish animal and plant sources.
• More regulations for the protection of animals, sanctioning controversial activities like hunting and poaching.
• Increased funding and projects for rewilding from governments and conservation organizations.
• Rehabilitated nature parks/regions spurring a greater demand for sustainable tourism.
• Communities that were once heavily reliant on industries such as logging could see a resurgence of jobs in eco-guided tours, local hospitality, or conservation management.
• Rewilding projects serviing as real-world classrooms where students learn about ecology, evolution, and conservation, fostering a greater sense of environmental stewardship among future generations.
• Advanced technologies, such as satellite imagery, drones, and AI, being employed, leading to the growth of environmental science.
• Reintroducing predators sparking conflicts among ranchers and farmers who fear for their livestock, potentially escalating into political disputes. 

Questions to comment on

• Do you think that giving back land for rewilding is a good idea? Why or why not?
• What are the possible challenges of rewilding in different environments?