Wolves’ reintroduction to Highlands could help native woodlands to recover, says study | Rewilding

The researchers suggested that the re -introduction of wolves into the Scottish highlands can lead to the expansion of the original forests that can take and store 1m tons of carbon dioxide per year.

A study led by researchers at the University of Leeds said that the re -introduction of species in Kirngorm, as well as the southwestern highlands, northwest and center, can help reduce the problem of red deer tree seedlings, which stop regenerating natural forests.

Scientists have estimated that if the wolves are re -presented, the population of about 167 animals will flourish, which they said is sufficient to reduce red deer groups to a level that would allow trees to be renewed normally.

The research suggested that this alone can contribute to about 5 % of the goal of removing carbon to the UK, equivalent to about 1 million tons.

The study estimated that every wolf will lead to the ability to absorb the annual carbon 6,080 tons of carbon dioxide, which makes each wolf estimated at about 154,000 pounds, using the accepted assessments of carbon.

The research, published on Monday in the magazine of Solutions and Ecological Solutions, is the first time that the impact of the re -introduction of wolves on the expansion of the forests has been recorded and carbon storage has been recorded in the UK.

“There is increasing recognition that climate crises and biological diversity cannot be managed in isolation from others,” said the lead author of the study, Professor Dominic Sproclen, of the University College and Environment.

“We need to consider the potential role of natural processes such as re -introducing species to restore our deteriorating ecosystems, and this in turn can provide joint channels of the climate and restore nature.”

It is widely acceptable that wolves have been officially eliminated Scotland About 250 years ago, although the specified year is unknown. He left this red deer without natural predators, and despite making efforts to keep the population under control, it has over the past hundred years to an estimated 400,000 today in Scotland alone.

The researchers said only 4 % of Scotland is covered by forests today, making it one of the lowest forests in Europe.

The population of the wolf in Western Europe is about 12,000, and animals occupy 67 % of its previous territory.

The researchers said they expect some violent reaction to their research, especially from farmers concerned with livestock and deer.

The policy of re -introducing wolves as well as predators in Scotland was The division intensivelyWith some farmers and rural societies opposing this measure. The numbers of the wolf were also thunderbolt bars for discussion in Europe, where the species were Wonderful return.

But researchers say that the benefits must be considered.

“Our goal is to provide new information to inform the continuous and future discussions about the possibility of re -introducing the wolf in the United Kingdom and other places,” said Lee Chaofeld, co -author of the study.

“We realize that it is clear that the large and wide stakeholders will be necessary before any replacement of the wolf is considered.

“The conflicts between humans and life that involve meat animals are common and must be addressed through public policies that explain people’s positions to re -offer success.”