130925-studie-wildlife-comeback-in-europe

6. Reconnecting with nature
Opportunities of wildlife comeback in Europe
Against the backdrop of continuing biodiversity
loss across the globe, and the ongoing population
declines witnessed in a large number of European
species, the recovery of a select number of
mammal and bird species across Europe shows
that conservation successes are possible where
a number of factors combine to create opportunities
for wildlife. These opportunities have
arisen from a number of different reasons
– primarily a reduction in threats to certain
species, enforcement used against illegal killing,
legal restrictions on hunting and conservation
management practices such as species reintroductions
where populations have declined. To a
lesser extent some changes in land use, such as the
current trend of agricultural land abandonment
across Europe, have also contributed. This land
can have value because of the wildlife it contains
or for the provision of a suitable environment to
allow wildlife to return to these abandoned areas
of land benefitting both biodiversity and people
(Figure 1 [1] ).
Figure 1.
Projected localisation
of hotspots of
abandonment and
wildlife comeback
in Europe. These
hotspots are
classified as
‘agriculture’ in 2000
and are projected
to show wildlife
comeback or become
afforested by 2030 [1] .
Elk watching in
Rapadalen, Sarek,
Swedish Lapland.
A hunting-free zone,
which makes the local
elk approachable by
foot, even in broad
daylight.
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