A new study comparing the biodiversity of wild mammals in Europe 8,000 years ago with the present has found that more species have been gained than lost on the continent.
The study, led by the University of York, found that recent species recovery and the introduction of non-native species has increased diversity by equivalent or greater amounts in many European regions, despite loss of habitat and local extinctions in many areas.
Potential
If the current momentum for conservation and rewilding projects continues, alongside projects to reintroduce mammals once driven from Europe’s rivers, forests and mountains – such as Wolves, Beavers and Lynx – there is the potential to increase diversity beyond the levels seen 8,000 years ago in most regions, the researchers say.
While some island mammals are now extinct, only two species that roamed the mainland 8,000 years ago have been permanently lost globally – the Aurochs (a wild ancestor of the cow) and the European Wild Ass.
Hopeful
Dr Jack Hatfield from the Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity at the University of York, said: “Although our study does not look at gains and losses in numbers of animals within species, it offers a hopeful vision for the future. The great majority of Europe's mammals are still here and if promises to give more land over to nature are upheld, biodiversity levels could increase beyond the levels seen by our ancestors.
Posted On: 08/11/2022
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