Wildliferich

Wildliferich is a term used in conservation discourse to describe landscapes and seascapes that host high levels of wildlife diversity and abundant wildlife populations. It is not a formal classification, but a descriptor intended to convey ecological richness and the functioning of trophic networks.

The term is applied to terrestrial and marine environments, ranging from tropical rainforests to coral reefs, where ecological complexity, habitat heterogeneity, and connectivity support many species and ecological processes.

Common characteristics include high species richness, the presence of keystone or umbrella species, structural habitat complexity, intact food webs, seasonal migrations, and ecosystem services such as pollination, pest control, and carbon storage.

Researchers and conservation planners assess wildliferich using a variety of indicators, including species inventories, ecological indices, habitat quality assessments, and measures of landscape connectivity. There is no universal standard for defining or measuring wildliferich, and the concept can be sensitive to scale and context.

The concept emphasizes conservation value beyond sheer area or economic yield, highlighting resilience and ecosystem services. Critics warn against equating species richness with overall health, arguing that functional diversity, genetic diversity, and resilience are also important.

Examples commonly cited as wildliferich include well-protected tropical forests and healthy coral reef systems, while ongoing threats such as habitat loss, overexploitation, pollution, and climate change can erode their richness over time.