Habitat Restoration and Rewilding

supports a large number of species increases biodiversity creates food chains/webs interspecies dependencies

grasslands - grow in spring/summer and are cut in autumn for hay support soil microbes, insects, birds, fungi, small mammals

originated from clearance of trees maintained by grazing livestock found over chalk and limestones (alkaline) - this leads to habitat specific plant species

maintained by human management (grazing + controlled burning) popular for game shooting supports mosses, lizards, adders, ground-nesting birds

infertile, well-drained, sandy soils managed by grazing and controlled burning heathers, grasses important for lizards and night jars

line of closely packed shrubs and trees link together isolated habitats important as nesting habitats show boundary ownership

land is covered by water seasonally/permanently act as natural water filters - trap pollutants rivers, marshes, bogs, mangroves supports ducks, geese, kingfishers, otters, beavers

3 main types of wetland swamp = forested wetland marsh = water logged to rain fens = accumulate peat supports dragonflies, beetles, spiders

coastland wetland that is flooded by sea water filters runoff and surface pollutants salt tolerant plants used for grazing and fishing important for birds

the original reasons for these habitats no longer exist (e.g. winter food/seed can be sourced from anywhere)

Should cover a whole ecosystem/ecosystems Highly biodiverse habitats are more important to protect Wildlife corridors should be used to connect isolated reserves Uniform shape to reduce edge effects Smaller reserves may prove more effective if used as “stepping stones”

temperature water availability pH mineral availability salinity wind velocity light availability soil type

add a body of water = moderates temp increase = remove vegetation/trees & decrease wind velocity

increase = plant vegetation (transpiration), create ponds and dams/introduce beavers decrease = remove dams, drain the area

increase = introduce rock salts

increase = remove trees/ vegetation decrease = plant thick vegetation in wind direction

increase = clear trees/large shrubs decrease = plant trees and shrubs

sand = dry, clay = wet introduce to balance the extreme

plant adapted species decrease = build dams to prevent water getting inland

increase = use permeable rocks, slow down flow of water

increase = introduce aquatic plants, increase water movement decrease = fish

type + number of predators pollinators seed dispersers competitors presences of pathogens/disease plants + vegetation food availability

increase = plant vegetation (shrub=berries=birds), leave things to decay

biological controls removal of invasive species = controlled cull sometimes are keystone species (wolves at yellowstone)