Naïve plant communities and individuals may initially suffer in the face of reintroduced megafauna: An experimental exploration of rewilding from an African savanna rangeland

Excluding large native mammals is an inverse test of rewilding. A 25-year exclosure experiment in African savanna rangeland offers insight into the potentials and pitfalls rewilding endeavor as they relate to plant community. broad theme that has emerged from this research entire communities, well individual plants, adjust absence herbivores ways can ill-prepare them for return these herbivores. Three lines evidence suggest “naïve” individuals, populations, communities are likely initially suffer herbivore First, plots protected wild past 25 years have developed rich diversity woody plants absent unfenced plots, presumably would disappear upon Second, individuals dominant tree system, Acacia drepanolobium , greatly reduce their defences browsers, sudden arrival (in case, through a temporary fence break), resulted far greater elephant damage than conspecifics adjacent had been continually exposed herbivory. Third, removal favoured most palatable grass species, number rarer which be at risk re-introduction. In summary, we observe defaunated landscapes may very different pre-defaunation states, see some changes with herbivores, including potential reductions diversity. Lastly, our experimental manipulation cattle represents additional role livestock Cattle many ecologically dissimilar wildlife particular densities), but other serve ecological surrogates wildlife, could buffer ecosystems costs More fundamentally, savannah represent challenge traditional Western definitions “wilderness” free human impacts. We support suggestion “rewild” biodiversity landscapes, redefine “wildness” 21 st Century inclusive (low impact, sometimes traditional) practices compatible sustainability (and re-introduced) biodiversity.