What is the difference between rewilding an ecosystem and restoring it? And when should we consider one or the other? Although rewilding has become a familiar word to conservation practitioners and managers, and to the general public more broadly, it remains quite challenging for many people to articulate the similarities and differences between restoration and rewilding, and to understand or provide guidance on what to do, when and where.
Pettorelli and Bullock offer their understanding of ‘restoration’ and ‘rewilding’ as distinct conservation strategies. They advocate for the pragmatic implementation of each of these, on a case by case basis and suggest synergistic opportunities.