Latest news with #DominickSpracklen
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Wolves in Scotland Could Help Reduce Carbon in The Sky. Here's How.
It's been centuries since a wolf's howl was heard across the Scottish Highlands, but a team of researchers thinks it's time to bring back these much-maligned predators. Doing so, their simulations have found, could return native woodlands to the country and pull carbon from the air. Wolves (Canis lupus) were totally eradicated by human hunting in Scotland, with tradition claiming the last wolf was killed about 250 years ago (although it's difficult to be sure of the exact year, amid local myth and legend). Around that time, the Jacobite rebellion of 1745 fundamentally changed much of the nation's land use. Woodland was cleared, and large shooting estates were established. Eradicating this apex predator unraveled entire woodland ecosystems because the wolf's prey, red deer (Cervus elaphus), could multiply unabated. Recent estimates suggest up to 400,000 red deer are out there right now, trampling and gnawing at the young saplings of trees that, in their absence, could grow into woodlands. Today, Scotland has native woods covering less than 4 percent of its surface, one of the lowest levels in Europe. It's a textbook case of a predator as a 'keystone' species: a brick in the arch that holds its entire structure in place. In the US, reintroduction of wolves to a number of nationally managed ecosystems has been successful, most famously in Yellowstone National Park. In theory, returning wolves to Scotland's wilds should help reduce the deer numbers, giving the woodland a chance to make a comeback. "There is an increasing acknowledgment that the climate and biodiversity crises cannot be managed in isolation," says lead author and environmental scientist Dominick Spracklen from the University of Leeds. "We need to look at the potential role of natural processes such as the reintroduction of species to recover our degraded ecosystems and these in turn can deliver co-benefits for climate and nature recovery." The scientists' simulations suggest that a reintroduction in four key areas of Scotland could lead to a population of around 167 wolves, enough to reduce the density of deer populations in those areas to just four per square kilometer (0.4 square mile) in as little as two decades. Each wolf, they estimate, has the potential to bring back enough woodland to absorb 6,080 metric tons (6,702 US tons) of CO2 each year. In today's carbon market, that's worth about US$195,000. The resulting expansion of native woodlands would sequester 100 million metric tons of carbon dioxide over 100 years, their model suggests, "sufficient to make an important contribution to national climate targets". "Large-scale expansion of woodlands, facilitated through the return of wolves, can contribute to national climate targets and could provide potential economic benefits to landowners and communities through carbon finance," the authors write. But understandably, there are safety concerns that need to be considered – it's an intensely divisive topic, and for good reason. "Human-wildlife conflicts involving carnivores are common and must be addressed through public policies that account for people's attitudes for a reintroduction to be successful," says ecologist and farmer Lee Schofield, who co-authored the paper. The researchers believe lessons learned from the US and European wolf reintroductions will help here; and, while there's no denying the basis for wolves' fearful reputation, ecosystem collapse and extreme climate change are hardly toothless alternatives. "This substantial carbon sequestration and the potential financial benefit related to wolf reintroduction may influence landowner and land manager perspectives around large carnivores," the team writes. The research was published in Ecological Solutions and Evidence. Places on Earth Too Hot For Humans Will Triple This Century, Scientists Warn 'Shocking': Global Glacier Ice Loss Accelerates by 36% in Last Decade Extreme Drop in Oxygen Will Eventually Suffocate Most Life on Earth
The Independent
18-02-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Scientists want to release 160 wolves in Scotland to help UK hit net zero target
Scientists have suggested reintroducing dozens of wolves into the Scottish Highlands in order to help the UK reach its climate targets. Researchers at the University of Leeds have suggested that the reintroduction of grey wolves to the Cairngorms, as well as the south-west, north-west and central Highlands, could help reduce the issue of red deer eating tree saplings, which stops natural woodland regeneration. The scientists predicted that a population of 167 wolves would thrive if reintroduced into the wild and would be enough to reduce red deer populations to a level that would allow trees to regenerate naturally. This could expand the native woodland, which could take in and store a million tons of carbon dioxide each year, equating to about five per cent of the carbon removal target for UK woodlands, researchers said. Each wolf would lead to an annual carbon uptake capability of 6,080 tonnes of CO2, which the researchers estimated would make each of them 'worth' £154,000, according to the accepted current valuations of carbon. It's the first time that the impact of reintroducing wolves for woodland expansion and carbon storage in the UK has been assessed. Wolves were eradicated from Scotland about 250 years ago, leaving deer with no natural predators. The wolf population in Western Europe is approximately 12,000. Meanwhile, British deer numbers have increased from about 450,000 to two million today. The research, published in the peer-reviewed journal Ecological Solutions and Evidence journal, acknowledged the idea is controversial, not least with farmers worried about livestock. Researchers acknowledged the idea's potential controversies when it comes to farmers' livestock. The growing number of wolf numbers in Europe previously led to their protected status being downgraded in 2024, which appeased farmers, but caused concern for environmentalists. Co-author of the study, Lee Schofield, said that they recognised 'that substantial and wide-ranging stakeholder and public engagement would clearly be essential before any wolf reintroduction could be considered". He said the aim was to "provide new information to inform ongoing and future discussions about the possibility of wolf reintroductions both in the UK and elsewhere". The study 's lead author, Prof Dominick Spracklen, said: 'There is an increasing acknowledgment that the climate and biodiversity crises cannot be managed in isolation. 'We need to look at the potential role of natural processes such as the reintroduction of species to recover our degraded ecosystems and these in turn can deliver co-benefits for climate and nature recovery.'
Euronews
18-02-2025
- Science
- Euronews
Despite promising climate research, ‘wolves won't be back in Scotland anytime soon' say experts
Reintroducing wolves to Scotland could help native woodland to expand and combat climate change, a new study by researchers at the University of Leeds concludes. Central Europe has already seen several environmental success stories as wolf populations have 'naturally recovered' without a formal reintroduction. Wolves roamed freely around Britain for many centuries, as chronicled by Roman and later Saxon writers, but were hunted to extinction in Scotland around 250 years ago. Despite this first-of-a-kind study, local rewilding charities in the UK are dubious that wolves are the best approach to mitigate carbon emissions, particularly with concerns over human conflict and the coexistence of predators and prey. Richard Bunting, a spokesperson for UK rewilding charities Trees for Life and Rewilding Britain, says that the new study is 'much-needed research', particularly when looking at the 'significant positive impact on woodland expansion and carbon storage'. But, he adds, 'substantial stakeholder and public engagement would be essential before any wolf reintroduction could be considered.' Wolves would help expand native woodland by managing red deer populations The recent University of Leeds study used a predator-prey model to determine the impact of reintroducing wolves to four areas classed as 'Scottish Wild Land' in the Cairngorms and the Scottish Highlands. In these areas red deer eat tree saplings and, in turn, suppress the natural regeneration of woodland. It's the first time such a study, which was published in the journal Ecological Solutions and Evidence, has looked at how reintroducing wolves impacts woodland expansion and carbon storage in the UK. Even with local management measurements, red deer in Scotland have flourished in the last century without any natural predators to keep their numbers in check. The current population is estimated to be around 400,000. This has led to a long-term decline and loss of native woodland - just 4 per cent of Scotland is covered, which is one of the lowest figures in Europe. The team found that the wolf population would naturally grow to 167 wolves, which in turn could control red deer populations to a level that would allow trees to regenerate naturally. This would allow native woodland to expand to an area that could capture one million metric tonnes of CO2 each year. Storing this much carbon would meet about 5 per cent of the British woodland carbon removal target, recommended by the UK's Climate Change Committee as necessary to reach net zero by 2050. Based on the research team's model, each wolf would be responsible for an annual carbon uptake capability of 6,080 metric tonnes of CO2, meaning under current carbon valuations, each wolf would be worth £154,000 (€185,231). Climate and nature recovery go hand-in-hand says expert The lead author of the report, Professor Dominick Spracklen from the University of Leeds' School of Earth and Environment, highlighted that 'the climate and biodiversity crises cannot be managed in isolation.' "We need to look at the potential role of natural processes such as the reintroduction of species to recover our degraded ecosystems and these in turn can deliver co-benefits for climate and nature recovery." The study also mentions other benefits to reintroducing wolves, such as fewer deer-related traffic collisions, reducing the cost of deer culls, and less risk of Lyme disease. One surprising benefit of recovering wolf populations in Europe is ecotourism. Spain now has a thriving wolf-watching tourism industry and accounts for 46 per cent of overnight stays in the mountain range of Sierra de la Culebra. There is also potential for this to happen in Scotland. Europe has seen a dramatic wolf recovery in the last decade Once the top predator species in Europe, wolves were hunted and persecuted to extinction in Western Europe. Small populations remained in areas of Italy, Poland, and Bulgaria. Despite this Europe has seen a huge increase in its wolf population in recent years. This is not due to any official reintroduction, but rather a 'natural recovery', says Rewilding Europe. In the 1990s, wolf hunting was banned in Poland. The native wolf population has grown over the last few decades, spreading west to areas of Germany and even the Netherlands, Denmark, and France. The total wolf population is now increasing across Western Europe by about 25 per cent each year and is thought to exceed 12,000, occupying 67 per cent of their historical territory. With more public acceptance of the predators, European legislation has also grown to protect them against poaching and exploitation. In a recent survey of 10,000 Europeans, 68 per cent of Europeans said that wolves should be strictly protected and 72 per cent agreed that they have a right to co-exist. In addition to red deer, wolves also prey on roe deer, and to a lesser extent, wild boar and beavers. However, while there are concerns that they prey on livestock in some situations, a 2018 study suggested that wolves kill around 31,000 livestock in Europe each year, mostly in areas where the availability of natural prey is low. EU data shows that wolves kill only about 50,000 of Europe's 68 million sheep and goats each year. Wolves may not be the most suitable species for reintroduction to Scotland The idea to reintroduce wolves to the Scottish Highlands first began in the late 1960s. It gained wider publicity after the successful reintroduction of both red wolf and grey wolf species into North American national parks in the late 1980s to mid-1990s. However, most discussions around reintroducing apex predators to Scotland – and particularly wolves – come with many objections within rural communities, particularly from estate gamekeepers, livestock farmers, and deer stalkers. There have also been concerns that wolves pose a danger to humans, yet in Europe, there have been just 11 non-fatal attacks during a period of 18 years. This is low in comparison to the 221 recorded cattle-related fatalities in Europe between 2000 and 2015, according to a study published in the Wilderness and Environmental Medicine journal. A report by the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research suggests that the risks associated with a wolf attacking a human are "above zero, but far too low to calculate". Lee Schofield, a co-author of the study, added, "Human-wildlife conflicts involving carnivores are common and must be addressed through public policies that account for people's attitudes for a reintroduction to be successful." Rewilding supporters are also dubious about a formal reintroduction of wolves to Britain. Trees for Life and Rewilding Britain spokesperson Richard Bunting says, 'Wolves could undoubtedly thrive in Scotland, which is one of a handful of European countries still lacking a large terrestrial mammal predator. But wolves won't be back anytime soon because first, we need to learn how to coexist with these animals again.' Rather than focusing on wolves, Bunting suggests a less controversial apex predator, the reintroduction of the Eurasian lynx, which is being supported by the Lynx to Scotland project. 'A carefully managed lynx reintroduction – another 'keystone species' vital for maintaining healthy living systems – is increasingly doable. 'This would make Scotland's natural world richer and stronger, providing wider benefits for nature restoration, climate resilience and economic prosperity. It would be a huge win for Scotland in the fight against extinction and be hugely popular.'
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Wolves should be reintroduced to Scotland ‘to help hit net zero'
Wolves should be reintroduced to the Scottish Highlands to help meet net zero, researchers have suggested. Reintroducing the species could help curb the population of red deer, which limit the spread of native woodland by eating tree saplings, according to a study published on Monday in the Ecological Solutions and Evidence journal. A million tonnes of carbon could be removed from the atmosphere if the woodland around the Cairngorms, south-west, north-west and central Highlands was allowed to naturally regenerate, the study found. This would contribute around five per cent of the UK's carbon removal target to help offset emissions from elsewhere in the economy. Wolves were eradicated from Scotland around 250 years ago, leaving the red deer population with no natural predators. Red deer numbers have since shot up to around 400,000 in Scotland, despite efforts to keep the population under control by human intervention. The deer eat tree saplings, limiting the spread of woodland, which has been identified as vital in helping the UK meet its target to be net zero, meaning carbon neutral, by 2050. The research, led by scientists at the University of Leeds, is the first to calculate the impact reintroducing wolves would have on woodland expansion and carbon storage in the UK. 'There is an increasing acknowledgement that the climate and biodiversity crises cannot be managed in isolation,' said lead author Professor Dominick Spracklen, from the university's School of Earth and Environment. 'We need to look at the potential role of natural processes such as the reintroduction of species to recover our degraded ecosystems and these in turn can deliver co-benefits for climate and nature recovery.' The researchers said only four per cent of Scotland is covered by woodland today, making it one of the least forested places in Europe. Farming and rural groups have rejected any proposals to reintroduce wolves or other large predators, arguing they would kill livestock and pose a threat to people in the countryside. The return of wolves in parts of Europe has proved controversial, particularly after a wolf killed a horse belonging to Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission. Wolves kill between 30,000 and 40,000 livestock animals in Europe every year, the majority of which are sheep. Lee Schofield, a co-author of the study, said: 'Our aim is to provide new information to inform ongoing and future discussions about the possibility of wolf reintroductions both in the UK and elsewhere. 'We recognise that substantial and wide-ranging stakeholder and public engagement would clearly be essential before any wolf reintroduction could be considered. 'Human-wildlife conflicts involving carnivores are common and must be addressed through public policies that account for people's attitudes for a reintroduction to be successful.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
The Guardian
17-02-2025
- Science
- The Guardian
Wolves' reintroduction to Highlands could help native woodlands to recover, says study
Reintroducing wolves in the Scottish Highlands could lead to an expansion of native woodland which could take in and store 1m tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, researchers have suggested. A study led by researchers at the University of Leeds said that reintroducing the species into the Cairngorms, as well as the south-west, north-west and central Highlands could help curb the problem of red deer eating tree saplings, which stops natural woodland regeneration. The scientists estimated that if wolves were reintroduced, a population of about 167 of the animals would thrive, which they said is enough to reduce red deer populations to a level that would allow trees to regenerate naturally. The research suggested this alone could contribute to about 5% of the carbon removal target for UK woodlands, roughly equivalent to 1m tonnes. The study estimated that each wolf would lead to an annual carbon uptake capability of 6,080 tonnes of CO2, making each wolf worth about £154,000, using accepted valuations of carbon. The research, which was published on Monday in the Ecological Solutions and Evidence journal, is the first time that the impact of reintroducing wolves would have on woodland expansion and carbon storage in the UK has been recorded. The study's lead author, Prof Dominick Spracklen, from the university's school of earth and environment, said: 'There is an increasing acknowledgment that the climate and biodiversity crises cannot be managed in isolation. 'We need to look at the potential role of natural processes such as the reintroduction of species to recover our degraded ecosystems and these in turn can deliver co-benefits for climate and nature recovery.' It is widely accepted that wolves were officially eradicated from Scotland about 250 years ago, though the exact year is not known. This left red deer with no natural predators, and while efforts have been made to keep the population under control, it has increased over the last 100 years to an estimated 400,000 today in Scotland alone. The researchers said only 4% of Scotland is covered by woodland today, making it one of the least forested places in Europe. The wolf population in western Europe is about 12,000, and the animals occupy 67% of their former territory. The researchers have said they expect some backlash to their research, particularly from farmers concerned about livestock and deer stalkers. Sign up to Down to Earth The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential after newsletter promotion The policy of reintroducing wolves as apex predators in Scotland has been intensely divisive, with some farmers and rural communities opposed to the measure. Wolf populations have also been lightning rods for discussion in Europe, where the species has had a remarkable comeback. But the researchers say the benefits must be considered. Lee Schofield, a co-author of the study, said: 'Our aim is to provide new information to inform ongoing and future discussions about the possibility of wolf reintroductions both in the UK and elsewhere. 'We recognise that substantial and wide-ranging stakeholder and public engagement would clearly be essential before any wolf reintroduction could be considered. 'Human-wildlife conflicts involving carnivores are common and must be addressed through public policies that account for people's attitudes for a reintroduction to be successful.'
