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Research article2023Peer reviewed

Trophic rewilding can expand natural climate solutions

Schmitz, Oswald J.; Sylven, Magnus; Atwood, Trisha B.; Bakker, Elisabeth S.; Berzaghi, Fabio; Brodie, Jedediah F.; Cromsigt, Joris P. G. M.; Tilker, Andrew B.; Leroux, Shawn J.; Schepers, Frans J.; Smith, Felisa A.; Stark, Sari; Svenning, Jens-Christian; Tilker, Andrew B.; Ylanne, Henni

Abstract

In this Perspective, the authors argue that the restoration of wild animals and their functional roles can enhance natural carbon capture and storage. They call for the scope of natural climate solutions to be broadened to include animals.Natural climate solutions are being advanced to arrest climate warming by protecting and enhancing carbon capture and storage in plants, soils and sediments in ecosystems. These solutions are viewed as having the ancillary benefit of protecting habitats and landscapes to conserve animal species diversity. However, this reasoning undervalues the role animals play in controlling the carbon cycle. We present scientific evidence showing that protecting and restoring wild animals and their functional roles can enhance natural carbon capture and storage. We call for new thinking that includes the restoration and conservation of wild animals and their ecosystem roles as a key component of natural climate solutions that can enhance the ability to prevent climate warming beyond 1.5 degrees C.

Published in

Nature Climate Change
2023, Volume: 13, number: 4, pages: 324-333 Publisher: NATURE PORTFOLIO

    Sustainable Development Goals

    SDG13 Climate action
    SDG15 Life on land

    UKÄ Subject classification

    Ecology
    Climate Research

    Publication identifier

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-023-01631-6

    Permanent link to this page (URI)

    https://res.slu.se/id/publ/122076