Rewilding initiatives have been implemented to restore ecosystem functions on abandoned marginal agricultural land. There are different approaches to rewilding, one of which is a non-interventionist approach where farmland is allowed to lie fallow without active management. However, this can attract invasive species that can harm native plants and animals by altering habitats and increasing competition for natural resources.
Non-interventionist rewilding can facilitate invasive species
Rewilding initiatives have been implemented to restore ecosystem functions on abandoned marginal agricultural land. There are different approaches to rewilding, one of which is a non-interventionist approach where farmland is allowed to lie fallow without active management. However, this can attract invasive species that can harm native plants and animals by altering habitats and increasing competition for natural resources.
Nº 113
Fragas do Eume Natural Park
- Land, Food & Agriculture
- Restoration & Preservation of Ecosystems & Land
- Restoration of Land
some attempts made
past case
Region-1
Region-2
Region-3
Region-4
ongoing case
no attempts made
None
Non-interventionist rewilding can facilitate invasive species
In 1996, in order to counter the growing expansion of exotic tree plantations in the region, the Galician government granted Fragas do Eume the status of Natural Park (following a non-interventionist approach), the highest level of protection that a regional government can grant in Spain. However, nearby eucalyptus plantations are encroaching on the park’s native forests, causing them to lose ground and rendering the new non-interventionist status inadequate for the current threats.
- Frustrated the efforts to address the initial problem
Cidrás, D., & Paül, V. (2022). Rewilding Shouldn’t Be Reactive: Fragas do Eume Natural Park in the Face of an Invasive Alien Species. Journal for Nature Conservation, 1-10.
Nothing specific found, only general papers discussing rewilding.
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