3.3.12 (HL)—Rewilding benefits and limitations

Evaluate rewilding by measured ecological gains alongside displaced production, costs, acceptance and uncertainty about the resulting state.

At Knepp, reduced intensive farming and free-ranging grazers produced a habitat mosaic and reported returns of scarce species, with possible carbon and tourism benefits. Those gains do not erase food-production and management trade-offs.

A rise in bird richness supports ecological benefit, but a decision still asks who loses farm output and whether tourism income is reliable and shared.

Baseline biodiversity data, durability, costs, local acceptance and comparison with alternatives.

A celebrated case is not a universal prescription; transferability depends on site and governance.