(CN) — It is something of a conservationist dream to “rewild” or restore ecosystems so native plant and animal species can coexist with modern civilization while offsetting the effects of human-made climate change. But for one team of scientists, this dream is actually feasible and may become a reality. The question is, how realistic is rewilding for the near future?
A team of 20 scientists has published an analysis identifying 11 federally owned reserves in the U.S. West for wolf and beaver restoration, a process that could improve degraded land and save 92 threatened and endangered species.
In “Rewilding the American West,” the team suggests restoring gray wolves and North American beavers to historic territories benefits broader ecosystems because their presence balances natural resources for nearby plant and animal species. For instance, the reintroduction of gray wolves in Yellowstone National Park is said to have kept deer populations in check, giving native plants a reprieve from the insatiable grazers.
Meanwhile, the benefits of restoring beaver populations are abundant, especially for protecting endangered species like salmon.
“Beavers are an excellent restoration tool for organizations and agencies with the goal of preserving fish populations and improving salmonid habitat,” said assistant furbearer biologist Shawn Behling of the Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife. “In-stream beaver structures provide barriers to reduce water velocity. These structures provide hiding spaces for young salmon to avoid predation and reduced water velocity makes it easier for salmon to expend less energy as they move through the water while also allowing gill-clogging sediment to settle out.”
Even more important than in-stream structures, Behling said, are how beavers improve terrestrial buffers on either side of a stream. “Beaver dams and the resulting ponds recharge groundwater stores, giving stream-side vegetation a consistent water supply. After beavers colonize an area, the woody vegetation flourishes. And while beavers consume some of this woody material, these trees and shrubs grow and reproduce at a rate that outpaces the beavers’ need.
“Soon, exposed stream water — which may have been too warm for salmon before — are now shaded by trees,” Behling added. “Banks are stabilized to prevent sediment from being washed away or entering the water column, and vegetation offers habitat [that] invertebrates’ young salmon depend on for nutrition.”
The analysis is ripe for consideration by the Biden administration, which rolled out its Make America Beautiful Plan in January 2021 in hopes of conserving 30% of U.S. land by 2030.
“I got this idea for rewilding at that point,” said lead author William Ripple, a professor of ecology at Oregon State University. Ironically, beavers are the mascot of OSU and the state animal, but according to Ripple, his idea for the analysis is based on his history of conservation work — some of which took place at Yellowstone.
Based on his experience, Ripple believes rewilding federal lands will help aid 92 threatened and endangered species from owls and big cats to smaller reptiles, insects and plants. But there is one contentious part of the plan that could get in the way.
To access federal lands throughout the West, some livestock grazing, mining, logging, and oil and gas drilling would need to go. According to the study, reserves with the greatest number of vulnerable species are used for these four practices, particularly livestock grazing. In many areas, livestock grazing causes stream and wetland degradation, affects fire regimes and inhibits the regeneration of wood species.
Additionally, the study authors noted ruminant livestock are a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, and how their effects on the ecosystem may exacerbate dry climate conditions, “potentially shifting landscapes from carbon sinks to carbon sources.”
“In general, rewilding will be most effective when participation concerns for all stakeholders are considered,” the study authors wrote, including ranchers, hunters and fishers, local communities, private landowners and Indigenous communities. But whether everyone in 11 states can get on board with rewilding these lands is debatable.