A Geographic Assessment of the Global Scope for Rewilding with Wild-Living Horses (Equus ferus)

摘要: Megafaunas worldwide have been decimated during the late Quaternary. Many extirpated species were keystone species, and their loss likely has had large effects on ecosystems. Therefore, it is increasingly considered how megafaunas can be restored. The horse (Equus ferus) highly relevant in this context as was once extremely widespread and, despite severe range contraction, survives form of domestic, feral, originally wild horses. Further, a functionally important notably due to its ability graze coarse, abrasive grasses. Here, we used distribution modelling link locations wild-living E. ferus populations climate estimate climatically suitable areas for ferus. These models combined with habitat information past present distributions equid identify rewilding Mean temperature coldest quarter, precipitation driest quarter emerged best climatic predictors. estimated parts Americas, Eurasia, Africa, Australia mapping, revealed horses within former range, including up 1.5 million ha five major Europe. occurrence climates habitats ferus’ together functions cause key candidate world. Successful re-establishment will require handling complexity human–horse relations, example, potential conflicts ranchers other agriculturalists or conservation aims, perception non-native invasive some regions, coverage by legislation domestic animals.