Rewilding nature and forests not only increases biodiversity but also the resilience of ecosystems in general, according to a study led by Lund University.
So-called rewilding – reintroducing plant and animal species into landscapes where they once existed – is a growing method in nature conservation. In Sweden, for example, a preliminary study has been conducted on whether European bison should be reintroduced into Swedish nature.
In a new study from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the University of Copenhagen, the University of Augsburg and Aarhus University, led by Lund University, among others, researchers have examined forests that are left to manage themselves to varying degrees until they are harvested. A range of parameters such as structure, function and long-term sustainability were studied and then compared with forests managed using conventional management methods.
– We explore the limitations of conventional forestry practices, such as intensive management of monocultural plantations where only one tree species is grown. Instead, the study presents rewilding-inspired forestry as an alternative to restore ecological processes and improve the resilience and sustainability of forest landscapes globally, says Lanhui Wang, researcher in Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science at Lund University, in a press release.
The results of the study show concrete strategies that can be applied at multiple levels, from local forest management to international policy, through practical guidelines such as promoting natural regrowth and reintroducing key species through so-called assisted migration, the researchers say.
