In a groundbreaking study conducted by Yale University researchers, the reintroduction of Romanian bison to the Tarcu Mountains is proving to be a highly effective natural climate solution.

The study reveals that the return of these majestic creatures is helping draw down and lock in the equivalent of nearly 2 million average U.S. petrol car CO2 emissions annually. This surprising revelation underscores the potential of using wildlife and natural ecosystems to combat climate change—an approach that could be replicated globally with the right policies and international cooperation.

As the world grapples with the urgent need to mitigate the impacts of climate change, this discovery offers hope and demonstrates that rewilding and ecosystem restoration are powerful tools in the fight for a sustainable planet. This article explores the findings from Yale’s research, the role of the Romanian bison in climate mitigation, and how global laws and policies could help scale such solutions worldwide.

The Reintroduction of Bison: A Game Changer for Carbon Drawdown

The Tarcu Mountains in Romania are home to one of Europe’s most remarkable rewilding projects, where a herd of European bison (Bison bonasus), once extinct in the wild in the region, was reintroduced in 2014. The goal was to restore the species to its natural habitat and revitalize the ecosystem. However, the unexpected bonus of this conservation effort has been its significant impact on carbon sequestration—the process by which carbon dioxide (CO2) is captured from the atmosphere and stored in vegetation, soil, and other natural processes.

The Yale University team, led by climate scientists and wildlife experts, conducted a detailed analysis of how these bison are contributing to the carbon cycle. Their research found that the activities of the bison, such as grazing, trampling, and the natural behavior associated with their movement, are helping to restore and maintain key ecosystems in the Tarcu Mountains. Specifically, these bison are:

• Enhancing Vegetation Growth: By grazing on certain plant species, the bison help promote the growth of other vegetation that absorbs and stores CO2. The presence of the bison also supports the regeneration of forests, which are critical carbon sinks.
• Creating Natural Disturbances: The bison’s movements disturb the soil and vegetation, creating pockets of space where new plant life can flourish. These disturbances help increase the overall biodiversity of the area, leading to more robust carbon storage across the ecosystem.
• Boosting Soil Health: Bison dung, rich in nutrients, fertilizes the soil, encouraging the growth of plants that are better at capturing carbon. The animals also help break up the soil, which can improve water retention and support plant health, further enhancing carbon sequestration.

According to the study’s findings, these combined factors contribute to the removal of approximately 1.9 million tons of CO2 annually from the atmosphere, the equivalent of removing nearly 2 million average U.S. petrol cars from the road each year.

The Role of Rewilding in Combatting Climate Change

Rewilding, the process of reintroducing species to ecosystems where they were once native, is gaining traction as an innovative and impactful approach to climate change mitigation. By restoring natural ecosystems and their inhabitants, rewilding projects can enhance biodiversity, improve ecosystem services like carbon sequestration, and restore the balance of nature.

In addition to the bison in Romania, other rewilding efforts around the world are showing promise. For example:

• In Scotland, the reintroduction of wild boar and lynx is helping to restore forest ecosystems and reduce invasive species that threaten native plants and animals.
• In the Netherlands, the rewilding of European wild horses and longhorn cattle is improving grassland habitats, enhancing soil carbon storage, and helping to restore degraded landscapes.
• In the United States, projects involving the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park have demonstrated how apex predators can influence ecosystems by regulating herbivore populations, leading to improved plant growth and carbon storage.

These efforts are part of a growing recognition that nature-based solutions are critical for reducing atmospheric CO2 levels, and they have the potential to contribute significantly to global climate goals.

How Global Laws Can Foster Ecosystem Restoration and Rewilding

The findings from Yale University’s study on Romanian bison point to the immense potential of nature-based solutions for tackling climate change. However, scaling these solutions globally will require substantial changes in international law, national policies, and funding mechanisms. Below are several ways global laws and policies can help replicate the success of Romania’s bison project and create a worldwide movement for ecosystem restoration and carbon sequestration.

1. International Carbon Markets and Nature-Based Solutions

One of the most effective ways to incentivize ecosystem restoration and rewilding on a global scale is by integrating these activities into international carbon markets. Under the Paris Agreement, countries have committed to reducing their carbon emissions to limit global temperature rise. However, to meet these targets, countries must adopt a range of solutions, including nature-based ones like rewilding.

Carbon credit schemes that recognize and reward carbon sequestration through ecosystem restoration could provide financial incentives for countries to invest in wildlife conservation projects. By including rewilding and biodiversity restoration as eligible activities in carbon markets, governments and corporations could help fund projects similar to the Romanian bison initiative. These financial mechanisms would encourage investment in long-term, sustainable environmental restoration.

2. Creating Global Rewilding Frameworks

To create a coordinated and effective global effort to combat climate change through rewilding, international frameworks and agreements must be developed. A global rewilding framework, modeled after existing international environmental agreements like the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), could provide a platform for nations to collaborate on conservation and restoration projects.

This framework could establish binding targets for rewilding, define best practices, and ensure that projects are monitored and evaluated for their carbon sequestration potential. Additionally, a global rewilding initiative could foster greater cooperation between governments, NGOs, and local communities to ensure that these efforts are both environmentally and socially responsible.

3. Supporting Biodiversity Protection and Ecosystem Restoration

Global laws must also strengthen protections for ecosystems and species that are critical to carbon sequestration. This means enacting and enforcing national and regional policies to prevent habitat destruction, promote sustainable land-use practices, and incentivize conservation.

For instance, deforestation must be curtailed to maintain the carbon sink capacity of forests, while agriculture and development projects should be carefully planned to ensure they do not undermine biodiversity or carbon storage. The rewilding of land should be prioritized as a key tool for both biodiversity restoration and climate action.

4. Funding and Incentives for Rewilding Projects

To scale rewilding efforts like the Romanian bison project, significant financial investments are required. National governments, alongside international bodies like the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Bank, must provide funding and incentives for large-scale restoration projects. This could include direct financial support for reintroducing species, restoring habitats, and monitoring ecosystem health. In addition, governments could offer tax incentives for private companies and individuals to fund conservation projects, further mobilizing the resources needed for large-scale restoration.

5. Public Awareness and Education

Global laws must also promote public awareness of the potential for wildlife and ecosystem restoration in combating climate change. Governments, conservation organizations, and academic institutions can work together to educate the public about the importance of rewilding, not only as a means of restoring biodiversity but also as a powerful tool for mitigating the effects of climate change.

Education campaigns should focus on demonstrating the success of rewilding projects, such as the Romanian bison initiative, to inspire global action and garner support for future projects.

Conclusion

The Yale University researchers’ discovery of the Romanian bison’s role in drawing down CO2 emissions offers a promising glimpse into how nature-based solutions can be leveraged to address the global climate crisis. As the world seeks effective ways to meet climate goals, rewilding and ecosystem restoration can play a pivotal role in reducing atmospheric CO2, enhancing biodiversity, and restoring ecological balance.

To replicate the success of the Romanian bison project globally, international laws must incentivize and facilitate rewilding efforts, protect critical ecosystems, and integrate nature-based solutions into climate strategies. By taking these actions, the world can unlock the full potential of wildlife and natural ecosystems in the fight against climate change—creating a more sustainable future for all.

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