Rewilding Abandoned Farmland An Analysis of the Impact of Rewilding on Biodiversity in Projects of Rewilding Europe

Abstract: Biodiversity continues its devastating decline while Europe is facing an estimated 20 million ha of farmland abandonment until 2030. By reviewing scientific and grey literature, websites, and reports I investigate the impacts of rewilding on biodiversity in connection to abandoned farmland. In addition, I analyse the amount of abandoned farmland in three project areas from the Rewilding Europe organisation through a case study methodology. Rewilding shows both benefits and disadvantages when applied to abandoned farmland, depending on factors such as geographical location, climate, and nutrient abundance. Despite the project areas’ claim to incorporate abandoned farmland it was not possible to ascertain the exact amount due to a general lack of geo-spatial data. With rewilding benefitting biodiversity in the right circumstances, the continuous abandonment of farmland and its potentially negative outcomes for biodiversity, it is imperative to conduct more research and detailed land cover change assessments.