Rewilding, as discussed in Emma Marris’ book “Rambunctious Garden,” is an interesting concept. While it does not preserve the “pristine” idea of nature, it can create unique experimental reserves. Though rewilding is entirely “man-made” (70), it can be a way to study how an ecosystem adapts to human interference, as all of nature is already affected by humans. As Marris mentions, there are already large African mammals roaming free in Texan ranches, yet ecologists tend to “ignore any area that doesn’t look pristine” so “no one is studying the fascinating question of how these ‘Texotics’ interact wither their new environments” (64).
The Oostvaardersplassen in the Netherlands is a good example of a positive rewilding. Though the area is designed “to run as it did 10,000 years ago” (57), many animals are already extinct so it is essentially a “brand-new ecosystem” (58) which was designed when similar animals are introduced. The Oostvaardersplassen has a large variety of species, including red foxes and Heck cattle, and “life and death are plainly on display” (70). I agree with Marris, who writes, “the experimental reserve … is worth having” even though it might not be a correct depiction of the past because the interaction of nature is worth studying regardless if humans created it.
A large critique of rewilding is the concern that ecologists are “playing god.” In reply to such claims, Josh Donlan, a field ecologist says, “Well I don’t buy that. We are already playing god,” explaining how we already live in an “intensely managed world” (64). Rewilding should be viewed as a “cultivated, man-made, created” nature (70) and appreciated for that fact. It seems that some ecologists view rewilding the wrong way, creating a “seeming paradox” (71). Frans Vera, the ecologist behind the Oostvaardersplassen claimed to be creating a “natural ecosystem” which he considered to be a lot better than a “cultivated one,” yet the entire area is affected by humans: the animals were brought in, civilization is seen all around the area, and it is below sea level (70).
While rewilding can create interesting ecosystems of nature, it may also be very harmful to the original ecosystems as well as to humans inhabiting the surrounding area. The species which are introduced into the area could end up acting as an invasive species and wiping out many populations. As ecologist Dustin Rubenstein mentions, the results would be “unpredictable” (65). There is also the danger of introducing predators into a new environment. Predators could not only wipe out many native animal populations but they could also harm many humans as well.
Thus I believe rewilding to potentially be positive, if ecologists focus on how the new ecosystems are man-made yet still nature rather than attempting to preserve a prehistoric baseline. There can be a lot to study from ecological formations created through rewilding, it just seems there needs to be a different approach to how rewilding is viewed.
