NEWS
ral systems . By mimicking and working with nature , we can create thriving , abundant spaces which work for nature and deliver for us .
Thinking about carbon sequestration is crucial in any eco-friendly garden . In our own spaces , no matter how small , we can help tackle our climate crisis . In reciprocity for the gifts nature gives us , we have a responsibility to nurture vibrant natural systems in our gardens .
Water and Soil Systems
Rewilding is all about letting nature take the reigns . It is about working alongside nature to create systems that work for us and the planet .
Through careful garden design and minimal management , we can not only mitigate manmade climate change . We can also make more resilient systems , which can themselves adapt to the changes that will come . In turn , these will allow us to adapt more easily to our changing climate and the problems it will bring .
Wild spaces can be far more resilient in terms of water , aiding in adaptation to issues of drought or flooding . Soils in rewilded systems are healthier , too , with closed-loop systems in which surplus is returned to the system .
Choosing plenty of native plants helps save water , maintain and improve the soil , and keep nature ' s systems turning , both for the benefit of the whole and for us . An appropriate rewilding scheme can safeguard water supplies , protect against wildfires and other environmental disasters , halt ecosystem degradation , and make sure natural systems are in place that can themselves thrive , and which can help us to thrive , in the years to come .
Halting Species Decline
Life on Earth depends upon rich biodiversity of plant and animal species , and loss of that is a major issue . Humaninduced climate change , pollution , and ecosystem degradation are leading to the loss of species at an unprecedented rate .
Rewilding in gardens is one way that we can begin to redress the balance . Loss of species is , of course , a tragedy in its own right ; but we also need to understand that it poses a threat to us . Taking care of native wildlife in our gardens is one way for us to safeguard not only those species , but also our own futures . Species loss threatens food production , makes pests harder to control , and leads to a paucity in our environments . Letting wild and natural systems thrive in our gardens is important for our own resilience , and crucial for long-term sustainability .
Human Health and Wellbeing In the modern world , there is a tragic disconnect between people and nature . Many studies have shown that human health and wellbeing suffers as a result . Bringing truly natural and " wild " systems into our gardens and our lives means re-taking our place not as something separate from the natural world around us , but as part of the whole .
A wild garden ecosystem helps us recognize the wonders of the natural world . It helps us to feel at peace , grounded , healthy , and happy .
When we see such rewilded systems up close , filled with native plant and animal species , we can derive many benefits for our physical and mental wellbeing .
Rewilding our gardens is not hugely complex . Small steps that we take to enrich our spaces can be rewarded in numerous ways .
Something like replacing a mono-species lawn with more biodiverse and resilient planting schemes can make a huge difference . Even allowing a " weedy " corner to emerge could be beneficial . Remember , rewilding can be as much about what you don ' t do as what you do . Letting nature take over a little can yield some huge rewards .
The above are just some of the main reasons why rewilding in gardens is something we should all be doing .
27 Grassroots Vol 21 No 4 December 2021