‘Rewilding’ cities by creating nature corridors could protect humanity against climate change

‘Rewilding’ cities by creating nature corridors and wild spaces could protect humanity against the worst impacts of climate change, a new report suggests.

The study by international conservation charity ZSL (Zoological Society of London) claims that restoring biodiversity could boost wildlife and buffer city dwellers from heatwaves, forest fires and flooding.

Rewilding is a way of restoring nature and biodiversity in an area by letting nature take care of itself, reviving natural processes.

This could include less management and wilder areas in parks, cemeteries and along railway lines, and letting nature take over former industrial sites.

Rivers could be taken out of the culverts they have been buried in or allowed to become lined with vegetation while the barriers that halt fish movements could be removed.

Residents can even do their bit, by leaving part of their own gardens wild and avoiding artificial lawns and pesticides.

Study claims restoring biodiversity could boost wildlife and buffer city dwellers from heatwaves, forest fires and flooding

Giving nature freer rein across our cities could help boost urban wildlife via habitat creation. Pictured: Sleepy dormouse

‘Wildfires, floods and heatwaves across the world have brought the climate crisis to the fore for many people this year,’ said Dr Nathalie Pettorelli, lead author and climate and biodiversity expert at ZSL’s Institute of Zoology.

‘The interconnection of the climate crisis with the loss of nature is thankfully now widely recognised and rewilding is an approach being increasingly embraced.’

Habitat creation and urban wildlife is crucial in the fight against climate change, as it helps protect, enhance and restore habitats.

This year, Eurasian Beavers have been reintroduced into a woodland enclosure in Enfield, North London, after being absent for 400 years.

The furry additions are set to help restore natural habitats and even reduce flood risk in the city.

While foxes are a common site in our cities, other animals have made unexpected appearances.

Two species of seahorse and hundreds of seals now call the River Thames their home.

In 2019, the Zoological Society of London counted 932 harbour seals and 3,243 grey seals in the water.

And bison have just been reintroduced to woodland in Kent, where they have been absent for 6,000 years. 

‘Giving nature freer rein across our cities could not only help to buffer them against extreme climatic events such as storms, floods and heat waves, by helping to cool them down and create natural flood defences, but also help boost urban wildlife via habitat creation,’ said Dr Pettorelli. 

Two species of seahorse and hundreds of seals now call the River Thames their home. Pictured: Seahorse in the Thames being measured by ZSL conservation team

In 2019, the Zoological Society of London counted 932 harbour seals and 3,243 grey seals in the water

Rewilding has also been seen to improve mental health, as it gives people an opportunity to engage with nature.

The charity Mind has said: ‘Spending time in nature has been found to help with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.’

The study reveals that, by 2050, two out of three people will likely be living in cities or other urban environments, meaning incorporating rewilding now could have a huge impact on thousands of people.

The concept has already been successful in Germany and Singapore, where they have seen a hugely positive impact from rewilding.

In Singapore, the iconic Gardens by the Bay includes 18 fake super trees, some reaching 160 feet, that mimic normal trees by absorbing heat, filtering rainwater and providing shade.

They are also now home to around 158,000 living plants, allowing nature to take back control.

‘The large-scale rewilding of urban spaces, including creating nature corridors and wild spaces around city infrastructure, is something that has so far been relatively overlooked as part of the solution,’ said Dr Pettorelli.

‘This is the first report of its kind to lay out a roadmap for rewilding our cities and we believe this is a high-impact solution to jointly address the climate and biodiversity loss crises in a low cost, “hands off” way.’

Rewilding has also been seen to improve mental health, as it gives people an opportunity to engage with nature. Pictured: Chequered Skipper butterfly

The concept has already been successful in Germany and Singapore, where they have seen a hugely positive impact from rewilding. Pictured: Urban Peregrine

However, while rewilding has been proven to benefit the environment and the individuals who live in it, scientists behind the report cautioned that urban rewilding must be delivered with professional advice and support.

‘Large-scale rewilding should be done with expert guidance as ultimately, well-meaning but misguided efforts could actually lead to further biodiversity loss and increased threats to public health through invasive species, disease transmission from wildlife as well as further exacerbating social inequalities,’ Dr Petorelli said.

With reintroducing new species, disease risk assessments must be done to ensure that the animal is safe in its new home and that its new home is safe from the animal.

Dr Pettorelli added: ‘For the rewilding of urban spaces to work, we need the buy-in and support of policy makers, funders, conservation scientists and of course, local communities.

‘There’s so much that the everyday person can do to support a positive change. For example, by leaving part of your garden wild, and avoiding artificial turf and pesticides we can all do our bit to secure a future where wildlife and people thrive.’