One Planet News: Rewilding works - here's the proof

By Annette J Beveridge

There is a lot of talk about rewilding but unless you are actively involved in it, you may wonder what progress is being made.

A recent survey by the charity Scotland: The Big Picture when examining sites within the Northwoods Rewilding Network found that areas of rewilding supports far greater biodiversity than the areas managed conventionally.

Northwoods partners share a vision for an ecologically restored landscape, where natural processes are reinstated, habitats are better connected and species can recover and thrive.

Northwoods Rewilding Officer, Aiden Maccormick, said: “Measuring the variety and abundance of different birds, bumblebees and butterflies, our survey set out to answer whether we could demonstrate that rewilding leads to improved biodiversity, and whether we could show this across the Northwoods network.”

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Supported by a team of specialist ecologists and surveyors, Aidan undertook multiple survey visits to a total of 11 sites from across the Northwoods network, where there were rewilded areas right next to non-rewilded areas. The team surveyed both the rewilded and non-rewilded areas over spring and summer, to assess birds at five of the sites, and butterflies and bumblebees at a further six others.

Ecologist Dr Ross Macleod, from Liverpool John Moores University, who analysed the data, said: “The results are astonishingly clear.”

“We detected bumblebees and butterflies more than 3,000 times, and recorded 1,000 pairs of breeding birds, over 120 kilometres of walked transects. On rewilded land, biodiversity surged across the board, with the number of bird species up 261% and their breeding territories up by 546%.

“For pollinators, the variety of bumblebee and butterfly species more than doubled, their abundance increased over tenfold, and the number of nectar-rich plants they could use in the rewilded areas rose by around 250%.”

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The analysis also discovered a greater variety and abundance of red and amber listed birds. It included flycatchers, cuckoo and woodcock which are relatively common on Northwoods rewilded areas. This bucks the national trend of almost catastrophic declines.

There were additional benefits of diversifying such as a former livestock farm and conifer plantation - Comrie Croft, which has been converted into a regenerative farm and popular eco-tourism destination.

Founder and owner, Andrew Donaldson said: “We were keen to create a place where people and nature could thrive side by side.

“Families, jobs, wildlife - it doesn’t have to be either or. It’s hugely satisfying to know that a site that was a nature-depleted, non-native woodland making little money 30 years ago, is now an award-winning, rewilded mountain biking destination that receives 50,000 visitors a year but also supports four times as many birds.”

Another farm reaping the benefits is Lerrocks Farm which as a livestock farm, also doubles up as a rewilding estate. Visitors can enjoy guided tours and spend time in wildlife-watching hides.

Owner Tom Bowser said: “It’s exciting to know our rewilded areas support ten times the number of bumblebees. These areas are still essential to our farming business, either forming part of our wildlife watching areas, or being grazed by our beef herd.

“For us, rewilding is a win for both nature and income. Our native woodlands now support more than 15 times the numbers of birds they used to, they’re home to beavers and red kites, and also provide shelter for our livestock. So they’re essential for a healthy business and a healthy ecosystem.”

Rewildng has been shown to be effective leading to higher biodiversity but it can also work alongside food production, business, recreation as well as bringing tourism to the area.