Rewilding with invertebrates and microbes to restore ecosystems: present
trends and future directions
Abstract
1. Restoration ecology has historically focused on reconstructing
communities of highly visible taxa whilst less visible taxa, such as
invertebrates and microbes, are ignored. This is problematic as
invertebrates and microbes make up the vast bulk of biodiversity and
drive many key ecosystem processes, yet they are rarely actively
reintroduced following restoration, potentially limiting ecosystem
function and biodiversity in these areas. 2. In this review, we discuss
the current (limited) incorporation of invertebrates and microbes in
restoration and rewilding projects. We argue that these groups should be
actively rewilded during restoration to improve biodiversity and
ecosystem function outcomes and highlight how they can be used to
greater effect in the future. For example, invertebrates and microbes
are easily manipulated, meaning whole communities can potentially be
rewilded through habitat transplants in a practice that we refer to as
“whole-of-community” rewilding. 3. We provide a framework for
whole-of-community rewilding and describe empirical case studies as
practical applications of this under-researched restoration tool that
land managers can use to improve restoration outcomes. 4. We hope this
new perspective on whole-of-community restoration will promote applied
research into restoration that incorporates all biota, irrespective of
size, whilst also enabling a better understanding of fundamental
ecological theory, such as colonisation- competition trade-offs. This
may be a necessary consideration as invertebrates that are important in
providing ecosystem services are declining globally; targeting
invertebrate communities during restoration may be crucial in stemming
this decline.