Unlocking Nature’s Ally: How Wolves Could Support Scottish Farmers in the Fight Against Climate Change

Bringing wolves back to the Scottish Highlands could play a big role in fighting climate change. A new study from the University of Leeds suggests that these wolves could help sequester one million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.

The researchers looked into four wild areas in the Highlands. They found that the rising red deer population is munching on young trees, stopping them from growing back naturally. By using a predator-prey model, they estimated that introducing 167 wolves would help bring down the red deer numbers, allowing trees to thrive again.

According to Professor Dominick Spracklen, the lead author of the study, the wolves’ impact could help expand native woodlands. This could account for about 5% of the UK’s carbon removal target for 2050. In simpler terms, each wolf could take in about 6,080 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, making them incredibly valuable to the ecosystem.

The study highlights how large predators like wolves can provide nature-based solutions to help combat the climate crisis. Professor Spracklen emphasized that we cannot treat climate change and biodiversity loss as separate issues. We need to bring back species and restore ecosystems to benefit both climate and nature.

Wolves disappeared from Scotland about 250 years ago, leaving red deer without any natural predators. As a result, the deer population has ballooned to around 400,000, according to NatureScot. This growth has led to fewer young trees, which is a problem since Scotland has one of the lowest levels of native woodlands in Europe.

Despite the potential benefits, the idea of reintroducing wolves is bound to spark debate. Farmers and deer stalkers may have concerns, but the ecological and economic advantages are significant. For instance, wolves could boost ecotourism, help reduce deer-related car accidents, lower the risks of Lyme disease, and decrease the costs associated with deer culls.

Lee Schofield, a co-author and farmer, hopes this study will shed light on reintroducing wolves in the UK. He noted that before any reintroduction, it’s important to engage with various stakeholders and the public. Managing human-wildlife conflicts is crucial for any successful reintroduction.