Routledge Handbook of Rewilding

Rewilding is a rapidly emerging area of conservation that provides a transformative paradigm shift in thinking. The Routledge Handbook of Rewilding provides a comprehensive overview of the history, theory, and practices of rewilding, with a focus on international case studies and the role of political and social transformational change. It is essential reading for students, academics, and practitioners interested in rewilding, ecological restoration, natural resource management, and conservation.

Format: Hardback
Length: 396 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Rewilding is a conservation approach that aims to restore and create natural ecosystems by reintroducing wildlife species that have been extirpated or significantly reduced in population. It is based on the idea that ecosystems are self-regulating and can heal themselves if given the opportunity. Rewilding has been practiced in various parts of the world, including Europe, North America, and Australia, and has shown promising results in restoring biodiversity, improving ecosystem health, and promoting sustainable land use.
Rewilding is a conservation approach that aims to restore and create natural ecosystems by reintroducing wildlife species that have been extirpated or significantly reduced in population. It is based on the idea that ecosystems are self-regulating and can heal themselves if given the opportunity. Rewilding has been practiced in various parts of the world, including Europe, North America, and Australia, and has shown promising results in restoring biodiversity, improving ecosystem health, and promoting sustainable land use.

The history of rewilding can be traced back to the early 20th century when conservationists began to recognize the importance of preserving natural ecosystems and the role that wildlife plays in maintaining them. In the 1930s, the concept of rewilding gained traction with the publication of Aldo Leopold's "A Sand County Almanac," which argued that humans should strive to live in harmony with nature and that the restoration of ecosystems was essential for the health of the planet.

Since then, rewilding has evolved and has become a more complex and diverse field of study. There are several different approaches to rewilding, including the restoration of degraded ecosystems, the creation of new wildlife habitats, and the reintroduction of species that have been extinct or endangered. Rewilding has been used to restore ecosystems that have been damaged by human activities such as deforestation, pollution, and overfishing, as well as to create new wildlife habitats in areas where they have been lost.

One of the key challenges of rewilding is the need to balance the needs of wildlife with the needs of human populations. Rewilding projects often require large areas of land, which can be expensive to acquire and manage. Additionally, rewilding projects can have negative impacts on local communities, such as the displacement of people or the disruption of traditional livelihoods.

To address these challenges, rewilding projects often involve collaboration between conservationists, policymakers, and local communities. Conservationists work to identify the best locations for rewilding projects and to develop strategies for managing them sustainably. Policymakers work to create policies that support rewilding and to provide funding for these projects. Local communities are often involved in the planning and implementation of rewilding projects, as they are the ones who will be most affected by these projects.

Rewilding has a wide range of applications and impacts. One of the most significant applications of rewilding is the restoration of biodiversity. Rewilding projects have been shown to increase the number of species in an area, improve the health of ecosystems, and promote the resilience of ecosystems to climate change. Rewilding has also been shown to have economic benefits, such as the creation of new jobs in the tourism and recreation industries and the generation of new revenue from the sale of natural resources.

Rewilding has also been used to address social and environmental issues. For example, rewilding projects have been used to restore ecosystems that have been damaged by human activities such as deforestation and to create new wildlife habitats in areas where they have been lost. Rewilding has also been used to promote sustainable land use practices, such as agroforestry and permaculture, and to address the impacts of climate change, such as sea level rise and desertification.

Rewilding has a range of ethical and philosophical implications. One of the key ethical concerns of rewilding is the impact on local communities. Rewilding projects can have negative impacts on local communities, such as the displacement of people or the disruption of traditional livelihoods. Additionally, there are concerns about the impact of rewilding on the health and well-being of wildlife. Rewilding projects can introduce new diseases and pests to wildlife populations, which can have negative impacts on the health and well-being of these populations.

There are also philosophical concerns about the role of humans in rewilding. Some argue that rewilding is a natural process that should be left to nature, while others argue that humans have a responsibility to manage and restore ecosystems. There are also concerns about the impact of rewilding on human well-being, such as the potential for conflict between humans and wildlife.

In conclusion, rewilding is a conservation approach that aims to restore and create natural ecosystems by reintroducing wildlife species that have been extirpated or significantly reduced in population. Rewilding has a rich history and has shown promising results in restoring biodiversity, improving ecosystem health, and promoting sustainable land use. Rewilding has a range of applications and impacts, and has a range of ethical and philosophical implications. As a rapidly emerging area of conservation, there is still much to be learned about rewilding, and there is ongoing debate about the best approaches to rewilding. However, with continued research and collaboration, rewilding has the potential to play a significant role in the conservation of our planet's natural ecosystems.

Weight: 940g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367564483