A pioneering scheme launched five years ago to restore nature across Scotland is said to have delivered dramatic increases in biodiversity.
The Northwoods Rewilding Network, co-ordinated by the charity Scotland: The Big Picture, was set up in April 2021 in response to the growing number of landowners keen to contribute to Scotland’s role in reversing global nature loss and tackling climate breakdown.
The chain now includes over a hundred landholdings stretching “from the Solway Firth to Sutherland, and from the East Neuk of Fife to the Ross of Mull”, supporting dozens of jobs and over £4.2 million in local investment since its launch.
They include partners in the Lothians such as Clint Estate south of East Linton and Nature at Spott near Broxburn. Others nearby include Leadburn Community Woodland south of the Pentland Hills, between Penicuik and Eddleston.
New research from sites across the network shows that rewilding has led to dramatic wildlife recovery and increased biodiversity.
The research shows that, on rewilded land, the amount of suitable space and habitat for birds increased more than fivefold, while the numbers of bumblebees and butterflies rose over tenfold.
Separate analysis of the network suggested these rewilded landscapes support an estimated 2.5 million pollinating insects.
Scotland: The Big Picture say the findings highlight the critical role that long-term nature recovery can play in reversing biodiversity loss and restoring ecosystem resilience in Scotland.
The latest survey coordinated by the charity looked at recent and historical rewilding action and found striking gains in both the variety and abundance of species.
They say the results provide some of the strongest evidence yet that “rewilding delivers measurable ecological recovery”.
The survey set out to discover whether it could be demonstrated that rewilding leads to improved biodiversity, and whether this could be shown across the Northwoods network.
Northwoods Rewilding Officer Aidan Maccormick and a team of specialist ecologists and surveyors, undertook multiple survey visits to 11 sites from across the network, where there were rewilded areas right next to non-rewilded areas.
The team surveyed both the rewilded and non-rewilded areas over spring and summer, to assess birds at five of the sites, and butterflies and bumblebees at a further six others.
Ecologist, Dr Ross Macleod, from Liverpool John Moores University, who analysed the data, said: “The results are astonishingly clear.
“We detected bumblebees and butterflies more than 3000 times and recorded 1000 pairs of breeding birds over 120 kilometres of walked transects.
“On rewilded land, biodiversity surged across the board, with the number of bird species up 261% and their breeding territories up by 546%.
“For pollinators, the variety of bumblebee and butterfly species more than doubled, their abundance increased over tenfold, and the number of nectar-rich plants they could use in the rewilded areas rose by around 250%.”
The researchers also recorded greater variety and abundance of red and amber listed birds – those of conservation concern.
Mr Maccormick said: “Species such as spotted flycatcher, cuckoo and woodcock are relatively common on Northwoods rewilded areas, bucking the national trend of almost catastrophic declines.
Prior to 2021, most rewilding activity in Scotland was limited to large estates and landscape-scale projects, leaving the challenge of restoring nature and connecting habitats.
Northwoods allows smaller landholdings of 50 to 1000 acres to play a bigger role in restoring and connecting rich habitats by creating a tapestry of nature recovery “stepping stones” across the landscape, with tailored support on offer to farmers, landowners and land managers.
Partners share a vision for an ecologically restored landscape, where natural processes are reinstated, habitats are better connected and species can recover and thrive.
The network is based on a set of key rewilding principles and seeks to demonstrate how the approach can be applied across different scales and settings, for the benefit of nature, climate and people.
Several of the successfully rewilded sites are also reaping the benefits of diversifying, with many drawing additional tourism.
Andrew Donaldson, founder and owner of Comrie Croft – a former livestock farm and conifer plantation that’s been converted into a regenerative farm and popular ecotourism destination – said: “We were keen to create a place where people and nature could thrive side by side.
“Families, jobs, wildlife – it doesn’t have to be either or. It’s hugely satisfying to know that a site that was a nature-depleted, non-native woodland making little money 30 years ago, is now an award-winning, rewilded mountain biking destination that receives 50,000 visitors a year but also supports four times as many birds.”
Argaty Red Kites near Doune in Perthshire is a livestock farm that now doubles up as a rewilding estate, where visitors can enjoy guided tours and spend time in wildlife-watching hides.
Owner Tom Bowser said: “It’s exciting to know our rewilded areas support ten times the number of bumblebees. These areas are still essential to our farming business, either forming part of our wildlife watching areas, or being grazed by our beef herd.
“For us, rewilding is a win for both nature and income. Our native woodlands now support more than 15 times the numbers of birds they used to, they’re home to beavers and red kites, and also provide shelter for our livestock. So they’re essential for a healthy business and a healthy ecosystem.”
Mr Maccormick added: “These results show us that rewilding not only works but is extremely effective.
“Whether it’s turning a conifer plantation into a naturally regenerating native woodland, or increasing wildflower species in cattle pasture, we have shown that having more native habitats and natural processes leads to higher biodiversity.
“But just as crucially, we’ve shown that rewilding can work alongside business, from food production to recreation and tourism.”
