Increasing human impact on the environment is causing the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services, making large-scale conservation efforts more urgent. In this context, Rewilding is emerging as a key strategy to restore self-sustaining ecosystems with minimal human intervention. However, monitoring the long-term effect of rewilding initiatives requires identifying baseline levels of several biodiversity and ecosystem service elements. 

This project focusses on two areas of central Italy where rewilding initiatives are being evaluated as part of a broader strategy for socio-economic change, including the reintroduction of wild and semi-wild herbivores. To set the current stage of biodiversity and aid future monitoring, we will assess mammal, bird, pollinating insect, and vascular plant communities. These baseline data will inform the implementation of a Before-After Control-Impact (BACI) monitoring protocol, to evaluate the effects of future rewilding plans. 

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