Things are getting wild
Nature is returning, thanks to depopulation and human intervention
LISBON, Portugal — Have you ever wondered what happens when humans disappear? This reality is playing out across the planet as vast expanses of territories once occupied by humanity depopulate. Low birth rates, urbanization, and natural or manmade disasters are to blame.
In Portugal, where I’m on assignment for #NewRules, the decrease in population in some areas has resulted in the neglect of less productive farmlands and the abandonment of rural communities, especially in the Côa Valley in the northeastern part of this country. Here, what was once considered a negative has turned into an opportunity to advance initiatives designed to transform these abandoned areas into new stretches of wilderness.
But this is not the only place experiencing nature’s return. Similar efforts are underway in the Scottish Highlands, where ancient woodlands are slowly reemerging, and in Yellowstone National Park in the U.S., where wolves were reintroduced in 1995. Even places like the Chernobyl and Fukushima exclusion zones are experiencing nature’s resurgence, albeit with less of a deliberate human hand.
Under the direction of Rewilding Portugal — a four-year-old non-profit organization whose mission is to create a wildlife corridor along the length of the Côa Valley — this place has witnessed the resurgence of its original uninhabited landscape and the return of numerous species at risk of extinction, including wolves and the Iberian lynx. This region shows how the seemingly negative depopulation trend can turn into a positive one with opportunities for environmental restoration — a transformative and deliberate conservation effort known as rewilding.
Restoring balance
Man’s destructive hands can be found everywhere, and unwinding them is central to the goal.
Some rewilding efforts are intended to improve public safety, especially in the case of wildfire mitigation. Wildfires are more likely here in the Côa Valley thanks to its dry seasonal climate and coniferous forests, which were planted on what used to be abandoned agricultural land. Similar challenges of dry climate and coniferous forests can be found worldwide, including in the Western U.S. However, the depopulation of people and farm animals here in Portugal led to landscapes overrun with dry brush, further increasing the risk.
The reintroduction of wild horses and bovines into the core zone of the Côa Valley has successfully created a patchwork of grasslands amidst these forest areas, significantly contributing to wildfire mitigation efforts. These grasslands serve not only as barriers to spreading fires but also provide open spaces essential for the survival of species endangered by the spread of dense vegetation.
According to Pedro Prata, team leader of Rewilding Portugal, “By acquiring and rewilding the farmland, and reintroducing large herbivores like the tauros to create a mosaic landscape, we can help biodiversity, prevent wildfires.”
Yet, the overarching goal of rewilding efforts is not just to improve public safety. It seeks to establish self-sustaining ecosystems rich in biodiversity that provide ecological benefits such as carbon sequestration, water purification, and climate regulation, as well as social and economic benefits through activities like ecotourism. The Côa Valley initiative's centerpiece, the Faia Brava Reserve, is evolving into a self-sustaining and resilient ecosystem minimally reliant on human management that’s reconnecting people with nature.
Bring them back
Nature, much like humanity, does better with diversity.
Native species are a big part of the puzzle in rewilding efforts. So, the Côa Valley is reintroducing those that are extirpated or extinct, allowing natural processes to resume and reducing human intervention in landscapes. The numbers of rabbits and red-legged partridges, for example, crucial prey for the endangered Iberian lynx native to the Iberian Peninsula, have grown in numbers and have supported the resurgence of the lynx population.
Other species at risk of extinction, including the wolf and the Iberian imperial eagle—both victims of human encroachment—are returning to the rewilded zones. The habitats for roe deer and red deer, key prey for wolves, have expanded within the Côa Valley. And, as the human footprint shrinks, more areas become available for natural habitats, allowing for a network of smaller wild spaces that help bridge the gap between isolated groups of wildlife and flora, fostering greater connectivity and biodiversity.
This initiative in the Côa Valley is not merely about conservation in the traditional sense; it's an ambitious reimagining of human coexistence with the natural world. And they’ve shown that nature is pretty good at managing itself once humans get out of the way or at least move to the side.
The leading edge
The Côa Valley is a leader, but it is not alone. Yet, it serves as a testament to what can be achieved when nature is given the space to recover and return.
The advantages of rewilding are extensive, encompassing ecological, economic, and social spheres. It bolsters biodiversity, ensuring the survival of species and the restoration of habitats. Ecologically, rewilding reinstates natural processes that maintain healthy, balanced ecosystems capable of adapting to changes, including the pressing challenges posed by climate change.
Economically, rewilding projects have the potential to transform local economies through ecotourism, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional industries that may harm the environment. Communities near rewilded areas can benefit from increased visitor interest, creating jobs and supporting local businesses in a manner that encourages conservation.
“Businesses would benefit directly from investing in biodiversity through carbon credits, meeting environmental, social, governance (ESG) targets and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and from minimising the risk to their value chain,” explains Ralph Chami, economist and co-founder of Blue Green Future and Rebalance Earth. “Investing in rewilding not only ensures that nature is alive and well, but also [builds resilience against] the risk of disruption to business operations.”
Socially and culturally, rewilding projects enhance the well-being of communities by providing spaces for recreation and reconnecting people with nature. They also offer educational opportunities, allowing people to learn about and engage with their natural surroundings, fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding of the importance of conservation.
It’s not as simple as it sounds
Despite its many positives, rewilding is not without its complexities and challenges.
Land use conflicts can arise, particularly in areas where rewilding initiatives overlap with agricultural or developmental interests. The economic impact on communities accustomed to traditional land use practices such as farming and grazing can be significant if not properly managed.
Ecologically, the reintroduction of species and restoration of habitats must be approached with caution to avoid unintended consequences, such as the introduction of invasive species or disruptions to existing ecosystems. Moreover, the success of rewilding projects often hinges on long-term commitment and substantial financial investment, which can be challenging to secure.
Despite these challenges, the momentum behind rewilding continues to build, driven by a collective understanding of its potential to restore biodiversity, combat climate change, and create more resilient ecosystems.
To the future
At its heart, rewilding represents a reimagining of humanity’s role in the natural world—a return, if you will, to the past that is rooted in respect, cooperation, and mutual benefit. It acknowledges that actual true progress and sustainability require a partnership with nature in which humans and the environment can thrive.
Portugal's Greater Côa Valley exemplifies this ethos, showcasing the potential for rewilding to catalyze ecological restoration, economic revitalization, and community engagement. It gives hope to a world confronted by climate change and ecological disasters.
As rewilding projects continue to unfold across the globe, they offer invaluable lessons in resilience, adaptation, and the intrinsic value of the natural world. Each restored ecosystem, each species brought back from the brink of extinction, serves as a testament to what can be achieved when humans give nature the space and support it needs to heal — a proven pathway to recovery and resilience.