Editorial: Rewilding in practice

Convery, Ian ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2527-5660 , Carver, Steve, Beyers, Rene, Hawkins, Sally, Fallon, Jessica, Derham, Tristan, Hertel, Sarah, Lyons, Krista, Locquet, Alexandra, Engel, Monica, Cao, Yue and Kun, Zoltan (2025) Editorial: Rewilding in practice. Frontiers in Conservation Science, 6 .

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Abstract

Rewilding, at its core, is not a one-size-fits-all endeavour; its success depends on a range of factors from local ecological dynamics to socio-economic considerations, and it follows that there is a need for grounded, context-specific approaches. The case studies presented in this Research Topic provide a nuanced lens through which to explore the interplay of variables unique to each rewilding project. By focusing on specific examples, researchers and practitioners can glean invaluable insights into what works, what doesn’t, and more importantly, why rewilding was the chosen approach. This provides us with essential knowledge for steering future rewilding projects. Case studies offer a platform for holistic assessment, ranging from the efficacy of monitoring approaches (Cowgill et al.) to broader socio-cultural dimensions (Root-Bernstein and Guerro-Gatica). They illuminate the multifaceted impacts of rewilding on local communities, economies, and cultures, shedding light along the way on both potential benefits and unintended consequences. Such insights are valuable for fostering genuine collaboration, but also for ensuring that rewilding initiatives are not only ecologically sound, but also socially equitable and sustainable. Understanding the adaptive capacity of rewilding strategies is vitally important. Rewilding is a long-term process, so documenting change over time is important to both monitor change on the ground while providing vital insight to inform rewilding guidelines and frameworks. Here, case studies serve as living laboratories; showcasing real-world responses to evolving environmental, economic and social pressures. Rewilding itself is a changing concept and has adapted over time. As the case studies in this Research Topic demonstrate, the primarily ecological focus of rewilding has expanded to reflect paradigm shifts in wider conservation towards eco-cultural or social-ecological systems approaches. Ecologically, rewilding denotes a paradigm shift from compositional towards functional restoration. The governance and cultural implications of this more indeterminate approach, including adaptive co-management, human dimensions and human-nature connections, are addressed in practice and in theoretical frameworks in many of the contributions to this Research Topic.

Item Type:	Article
Journal / Publication Title:	Frontiers in Conservation Science
Publisher:	Frontiers Media
ISSN:	2673-611X
Departments:	Institute of Science and Environment > Forestry and Conservation
Additional Information:	Ian Convery, Professor of Environment and Society, Institute of Science & Environment, University of Cumbria, UK and IUCN Commission for Ecosystem Management Rewilding Thematic Group, Gland, Switzerland. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY).
Depositing User:	Anna Lupton
Date Deposited:	19 Feb 2025 15:35
Last Modified:	19 Feb 2025 15:45
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/8641

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