UNEP-WCMC Impact Report
Image: Adobe Stock / 241713812
We published a scientific analysis showing areas in which the reintroduction of just 20 species of predators and large herbivores in certain regions could be a highly effective solution for reversing the decline in large mammal species around the world.
The presence of large mammals plays an important role in the intactness of ecosystems and their ability to regulate climate, sustain biodiversity and support livelihoods.
With only 15 per cent of land on the planet retaining natural large mammal communities, our analysis found that reintroduction of large mammals paired with land protection and measures to address drivers of biodiversity loss had the potential to restore mammal communities across 11 million km2 of the world’s land area. We also identified 190 ecological regions as potential priority areas for reintroduction efforts from a biodiversity perspective. These findings can inform the ongoing development and implementation of national efforts to meet restoration targets.