Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2024

First exams 2026

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Rewilding (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))

Revision Note

Rewilding

  • Human activities such as deforestation and overharvesting of resources can disrupt, damage and destabilise ecosystems

  • Conservation efforts at the ecosystem level aim to restore ecosystem stability by restoring natural ecosystem processes

    • These processes may include:

      • Predator-prey relationships

      • Seed dispersal

      • Nutrient cycling

  • This type of ecosystem restoration project is also known as rewilding

  • Restoration strategies may involve:

    1. Species reintroduction

      • Reintroduction of apex predators will reduce herbivore populations and allow the restoration of habitat vegetation

      • This may boost the diversity of plant species

      • This, in turn, enhances total biodiversity

        • For example, wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park, USA

        • The wolves help to control deer populations

        • This has allowed certain types of vegetation to recover

      • Reintroducing keystone species can improve the structure of an ecosystem

        • For example, beavers have been reintroduced to parts of the UK

        • Beavers build dams

        • These dams create large wetland areas that support diverse wildlife

    2. Improving habitat connectivity

      • This involves connecting fragmented habitats to allow free movement of species

      • Creating wildlife corridors, such as hedgerows on farmland, connects small pockets of habitat

      • This allows wildlife to roam over larger areas, increasing the resources available

      • This allows larger population sizes to establish

    3. Stopping agriculture

      • Allowing land previously used for farming to return to its natural state

        • For example, the Knepp Estate in England has been rewilded

        • This former farmland now supports wild ponies, pigs and longhorn cattle

        • These species promote biodiversity by disturbing soils, dispersing seeds and grazing on vegetation, so no single plant species dominates

    4. Limiting human influence

      • This may involve preventing the harvesting of resources, e.g. by logging or fishing

      • Ecological management techniques, e.g. controlled grazing or burning, may be used to restore a habitat

      • The aim is to minimise direct human management and let ecosystems self-regulate as much as possible

Case Study

Restoration of Hinewai Reserve, New Zealand

  • Location: Banks Peninsula, New Zealand

  • Hinewai Reserve was once farmland but is now privately owned, with the aim of restoring the natural ecosystem of the area

  • Some initial human intervention was involved, e.g. the removal of non-native species

  • The area is now managed with minimal human intervention to allow native communities to be restored by succession

  • Human activities are limited in the area, though the public can enjoy walking in the Reserve

  • Successes:

    • Rapid regrowth of native bush

    • Increase in native bird populations

    • Effective control of invasive species

Hinewai Reserve in New Zealand shows a view of a lush landscape with two tropical trees in the foreground, dense greenery, rolling hills, and a distant view of the blue ocean under a clear sky.
Hinewai Reserve in New Zealand is considered to be an example of successful rewilding (CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Make sure you understand and can define key terms like rewilding, apex predators, keystone species, and habitat connectivity. You should also learn one or two examples of successful rewilding projects

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Alistair Marjot

Author: Alistair Marjot

Expertise: Biology & Environmental Systems and Societies

Alistair graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Biological Sciences. He has taught GCSE/IGCSE Biology, as well as Biology and Environmental Systems & Societies for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. While teaching in Oxford, Alistair completed his MA Education as Head of Department for Environmental Systems & Societies. Alistair has continued to pursue his interests in ecology and environmental science, recently gaining an MSc in Wildlife Biology & Conservation with Edinburgh Napier University.

Bridgette Barrett

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After graduating with a degree in Geography, Bridgette completed a PGCE over 25 years ago. She later gained an MA Learning, Technology and Education from the University of Nottingham focussing on online learning. At a time when the study of geography has never been more important, Bridgette is passionate about creating content which supports students in achieving their potential in geography and builds their confidence.