Rewilding and ecosystem restoration
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Question
Define rewilding.
Answer
Restoring the **natural processes** of a degraded ecosystem so it becomes **self-sustaining**, often by reintroducing a **keystone species**.
Question
Define a keystone species.
Answer
A species whose effect on its ecosystem is **far larger than its numbers** suggest (e.g. a top predator or a beaver).
Question
Define a degraded ecosystem.
Answer
An ecosystem that has been **damaged** so it works less well (e.g. a cleared forest or drained wetland).
Question
What is the flagship method of rewilding?
Answer
Reintroducing a **keystone species** to restart natural processes across the ecosystem.
Question
Name a rewilding method that is NOT a keystone reintroduction.
Answer
Restore natural **water flow** (re-flooding), re-establish natural **grazing**, let **native plants** return, or reconnect habitats with **corridors**.
Question
How does rewilding differ from ordinary conservation?
Answer
Conservation protects species and often needs **ongoing management**; rewilding restores **natural processes** so the ecosystem **manages itself**.
Question
Why can reintroducing one keystone species restore a whole ecosystem?
Answer
Its activity (e.g. damming or predation) restarts a **chain** of natural processes that many other species depend on.
Question
Give an example of a keystone reintroduction in rewilding.
Answer
**Beavers** — they build dams that restore water flow and create wetland that supports many species.
Question
What does 'ecosystem restoration' mean?
Answer
Repairing a **damaged** ecosystem so its **natural processes** and **biodiversity** recover.
Question
How does rewilding help minimise biodiversity loss?
Answer
By restoring natural processes in a **degraded** ecosystem, it **reverses** damage so more species can return.
Question
Name two natural processes rewilding tries to restore.
Answer
Any two of: **grazing**, **predation**, **flooding/water flow**, **seed dispersal**.
Question
In a 'rewilding methods other than keystone reintroduction' question, what must each method do?
Answer
Restore a **natural process** (not just add a species) — e.g. re-flooding or letting native plants return.
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Topic 1.9 hub
Conservation of biodiversity
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