Another nice headline story from our beaver friends at Phys,Org.
Reintroducing large mammals could restore the world’s ecosystemsosyst
A report funded by the United Nations found that the return of large mammals could shore up the health of the natural world, tackling climate change and biodiversity loss in the process.
Reintroducing just 20 species of large mammals could help to restoring the world’s biodiversity.
Well I don’t know about the bison or bears but I totally agree about the beavers. The funny thing is that in most of the Northern Hemisphere Beaver is not considered a large mammal. It’s considered a small one. Go figure.
Introducing these animals back into their historic ranges across the world could create the conditions necessary to allow these species to expand their ranges to cover over a quarter of the planet. This would help to restore ecosystems, lock away excess carbon dioxide and boost populations of other species.
Lead author Dr. Carly Vynne says, “Our results give both hope and scope for reversing the depletion of intact fauna groupings via proactive, strategically implemented restoration programs.
“We are seeing a real drive of funding and attention towards ecosystem restoration and nature-based solutions. We also need to ensure that conservation and restoration efforts bring along the diversity and abundance of life on Earth, and help to restore full groupings of naturally-present species.
Here is the cover photo in case you have any doubt.
As well as carnivores, the reintroduction of herbivores can also have significant impacts through dispersing seeds, recycling nutrients and helping to control fire by grazing.
The researchers behind the current study wanted to investigate where the reintroduction of large mammals would have the greatest impact, and how it could be achieved. They found that only 20 key species, including 13 herbivores and seven predators, were needed to help biodiversity bounce back across the world.
Well yes. That’s what they do. And save water for all those other species to drink. I guess that would just be a bonus.
The scientists, however, acknowledge that many changes are needed before reintroductions could begin. For instance, the factors that caused large mammals to become threatened in the first place, such as hunting and habitat loss, would need to be brought under control.
Many ecoregions also span national borders and so would require international co-operation if the animals were to be brought back.
The findings of this study feed into an ongoing conversation about the importance of biodiversity in the run up to the COP15 conference, set to be held in China later this year.
Joe Gosling, from UNEP, admits there is work to do but says that action is possible with concerted efforts.
Well yeah, you’re going to need to plant LOTS and LOTS of willow. Maybe get rid of a few trap-happy human species before you release the beaver ones. Okay?
“We are now in a critical decade for nature: the UN’s Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. A priority next step would be to see the restoration of large mammal populations as an explicit ambition at international and national levels. Widespread, effective restoration of nature will not be possible without the buy-in of governments, supported by key conservation actors and funders.”
Preaching to the choir here,
