130925-studie-wildlife-comeback-in-europe

in itself has a large communications value. In the
face of the ongoing biodiversity crisis, it is vital that
conservation successes are effectively communicated
in order to show that wildlife recovery can
occur if given the chance. Similarly, informing the
general public about the often complex ecosystem
functions of species can be made easier by using
key comeback species as symbols of these complex
processes. In this way wildlife comeback can
provide a means of positive reinforcement for the
future conservation of an area.
Environmental education can lead to more
positive attitudes towards wildlife (e.g. wolf and
bear conservation in Italy [147] ). Establishment of
an environmental education programme and
close cooperation between conservationists and
recreational user groups in the Alps has led to an
increase in breeding success of the Golden eagle
(Aquila chrysaetos) caused by change in human
behaviour [161] . However, this link between better
knowledge and positive attitudes may not always
be the case: hunters, for example, may have the
best knowledge of and the most negative attitudes
towards species such as the wolf [151] .
Some aspects of wildlife comeback are likely
to be more difficult to communicate (e.g. issues of
native versus non-native species; Box 2). Another
example is the communication of wildlife
comeback in a historical context. Because major
declines experienced by European megafauna
often date back to at least the 19 th century, current
levels of wildlife may seem unprecedented: yet
what we see today as wildlife comeback is still
confined to small populations relative to historical
baselines. “Shifting baselines” arise when anthropogenic
factors lead to a change in wildlife
population levels over time and collective memory
sets these new diminished population levels as the
new baseline against which to compare wildlife
population change [162] . For the study of long-term
population trends, there often remains little
option but to set baselines to the point at which
systematic data collection was started, since
long-term data sets are frequently lacking [163] . As a
result, the population increases and range expansions
we are currently witnessing for certain
species seem without precedence, yet we need to
communicate that what we see today is a lower
abundance of wildlife compared to historical
baselines, and that these lower abundances are due
to anthropogenic threats, both past and present,
such as presecution, overhunting and habitat loss.
A large proportion of society is more disconnected
from the natural world today than ever
before, and this disconnection is central to the
amounting environmental problems faced by
humanity: people with a connection to the natural
world also want to protect it [164, 165] . It is important
that we understand the scale and consequences
of this disconnection against the backdrop of
wildlife comeback: do people care about wildlife
comeback? What are their feelings about it and
why? Do people want wildlife experiences close
to home? Pioneering work is currently underway
in the UK and the Netherlands to assess the level
of children’s disconnection with nature [166, 167] .
Communication and environmental education
strategies need to be adapted to bridge the gap
between humans and wildlife, by increasing
knowledge and engaging with new audiences, e.g.
via new means of communicating such as social
media. Finally, the best education will come from
direct engagement with nature via establishment
of wildlife viewing possibilities and nature excursions
(see above).
Conclusion
A keen interest from people, opportunities from
land availability, species comeback and support
from policy have all combined in bringing about
a new era for European wildlife. During a time
where biodiversity is in crisis globally, this trend
in Europe offers a contrast and a positive outlook
for species conservation and human wellbeing. In
this chapter we outlined some of the main benefits
that could be gained from wildlife comeback.
As a direct benefit to people, reconnecting with
nature can contribute to the increased wellbeing
of individuals. Through opportunities for nature
tourism, contributions can be made to local and
national economies as well as development in
rural areas. Ecological benefits can also be reaped
by restoring balance to the natural processes of
ecosystems and for the conservation of threatened
species.
Putting opportunities into a local context is
vital for wildlife comeback to prove sustainable
and mitigate any potential conflict with people.
Likewise, recognising the needs of species by
allowing adequate space and suitable habitat will
be essential for ensuring the long-term recovery of
wildlife. Understanding the issues that arise from
an increasing interaction between wildlife and
people and the opportunities that can be realised
is critical to ensure a functioning European
landscape for both humans and nature.
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