wilding

Wilding is a conservation term describing the restoration of natural ecosystems by allowing ecological processes to unfold with reduced human management. It is closely related to rewilding and is used to describe strategies that reconnect habitats, restore ecological dynamics, and, in some cases, reintroduce species. Wilding can be passive (letting nature recover) or active (deliberate management), depending on the landscape and objectives.

Projects vary in scale from small reserves to large landscapes. Common methods include removing barriers to species movement, ceasing intensive land management, restoring hydrological regimes, and reintroducing or supporting keystone species that trigger ecological cascades. A widely cited example is Knepp Estate in the United Kingdom, where farmland was converted to encourage wildlife and natural processes.

Advocates argue that wilding can increase biodiversity, ecosystem services, and resilience to climate change by strengthening ecological networks. Critics point to economic trade-offs for landowners and potential conflicts with neighboring land uses, as well as uncertainties about long-term outcomes. Effective programs typically require governance, monitoring, and stakeholder engagement to balance ecological aims with social and economic considerations.