Although the Peak District landscape has been shaped by people for centuries, the natural environment has always been a key influence on what and how we have used this area.

Indicators of what the natural environment of the Peak District might have been at certain points in time are reflected in place and field names and settlement patterns, and still influence land use today.

Many of the species that were once widespread in the Peak District aren’t here any more, or have been lost from specific locations. Although most have been lost within recorded history, we don’t always know what the full role of some of our missing species is within their ecosystem, or what the impacts might be of returning them. These might be different in the Peak District to other places, and it is important to ensure that a reintroduction won`t cause further ecological damage. Bringing any species back needs to be done in an appropriate (opens new window) and considered way. Species cannot be reintroduced without first ensuring there are large enough ecosystems to support a future viable, genetically diverse population of the species that is large enough and well connected enough to sustain itself.

Although it is currently difficult to see how large predators such as wolves could be integrated into our present-day cultural landscape, there may be opportunities for reintroduction of other species, such as golden or white-tailed eagle, with review and careful consideration of both positive and negative impacts. However, existing low bird of prey populations, with persecution and scale of habitat availability likely the main contributing factors, indicate that there are issues to resolve before reintroduction of top predators can be seriously considered.

It is not just large charismatic species which have declined or been lost; lots of species that played an important role are no longer a part of the ecosystem in the Peak District, for example plants and butterflies. Still requiring careful consideration of feasibility and potential impacts, some species such as black grouse and small blue could potentially be reintroduced or translocated more easily.

For nature

• Bolstering populations alongside habitat management and creation can help them become sustainable and more resilient for the future with a wide gene pool.
• Reintroduction of some species that act as keystone (opens new window) habitat engineers could help us restore natural processes and help shift to more natural species balances, for example beaver and pine marten.
• Keystone species that drive natural processes can provide habitats and opportunities for many other species.
• Some of the species that may be reintroduced will carry out important ecological functions and could benefit other species in the ecosystem.
• Increasing populations and the diversity of species within a landscape can help some species fight off predators more easily, for example wading birds.
• Some species have specific relationships with others, and when one is lost or the population reduced, it will have a direct impact on one or more other species. For example, devil’s-bit scabious is the food plant for marsh fritillary butterfly caterpillars.
• Bringing back missing species can help us appreciate their intrinsic value.

What else can complex food webs deliver?

• Many species have played a role in enhancing the culture of our landscapes. Bringing species back to an area can help them become part of our future story.
• Sometimes we don’t know or notice what is missing when it’s not there: more wildlife can help realign our ’shifting baseline syndrome’.
• Reintroductions can provide nature tourism opportunities.
• Some of our lost species are ecosystem engineers, at large and small scales, and can manage some habitats more naturally and more cost-effectively than people.

In practice

• Reintroductions are often costly, and require democratic consultation.
• There are lots of ways of restoring species, for example through assisted colonisation, translocation, or reintroduction of captive-bred animals. The method will depend if there are any remaining individuals, the size of the population, and potential sources.
• The methods chosen should adhere to the IUCN guidelines for reintroductions (opens new window).
• The longer the time since a species went extinct, generally the more complicated it is to bring it back, as lots of change has occurred.
• Any reintroduction proposals should include consideration of potential environmental and economic impacts, and future means of regulating these.

CASE STUDY Sphagnum Moss