Mammal keystone species and their role in rewilding with Rewilding Britain

What do beavers, blue whales, and wolves all have in common? They are all keystone species. Keystone species are key elements of healthy ecosystems. We spoke to Sara King, Rewilding Manager of Rewilding Britain, to explore keystone species, trophic cascades, and mammal reintroductions taking place across the British Isles.

Sara manages and coordinates the development of the Rewilding Network - the first of its kind in Britain. Her role focuses on engaging with Network members and leading our strategy to upscale rewilding. Sara is also working on data collection, mapping projects and setting up connections across Britain to help facilitate knowledge exchange. Sara has a strong background in rewilding, biodiversity monitoring and assessment, species reintroductions, land management and restoration plans.

[lifeofkarel]

The story about the wolves in Yellowstone is actually wrong. The wolves didn't eat that much dear, but caused a change in the behaviour of the dear. Where they previously grazed the open spaces, fear of being eaten now made them remain more in the bushier areas, leaving the open spaces to develop...

[JoakimBalogh]

Scavengers also make sure that any sickness is left on the ground by eating the carcass. Anthrax and other sickness may spread if not eaten by scavengers

[franciscusmagister]

what about the (potential) problem of wolf/dog hybridisation ?

[inigoromon]

If you introduce boars without a keystrone predator like wolves, you get a real problem

[janechapman]

Aren't we doing this in scotland anyway struggling a b8t with wold cats not sure the lynx discussion is like.

[julzhepburn]

Are you sure this is a good idea, ,any idea how quickly they will multiply, , and come into urban areas, they are very difficult to control, , and they have no real predators in uk .lets see in 10 years how well this goes 😂😂😂🐗🤪

[mikepotter]

Maybe a small scale experiment first. How about we introduce rabbits to one of the penal colonies and see how it turns out.