英検 1級 要約問題 サンプル練習問題 ③ The Expansion of Rewilding Initiatives

Read the article below and summarize it in your own words as far as possible in English.

Summarize it between 90 and 110 words.

 

      In recent years, efforts to restore ecosystems to a state resembling their historical conditions have gained increasing attention among policymakers, conservationists, and land managers. This approach, often referred to as rewilding, typically involves reducing human intervention and reintroducing species that once played essential ecological roles within environmental networks. Such initiatives have been undertaken in various regions, including former agricultural lands, abandoned industrial zones, and areas previously altered by intensive human activity. While some view these efforts as a necessary response to environmental degradation and biodiversity loss, others regard them as an uncertain experiment whose long-term ecological, economic, and social consequences remain difficult to anticipate with precision.

      Supporters maintain that restoring ecological relationships may enhance the resilience and stability of natural systems over time. When key species return, they can regulate population dynamics in ways that prevent overgrazing or excessive resource depletion, thereby allowing vegetation and other organisms to recover gradually. In addition, proponents suggest that self-sustaining ecosystems may require fewer ongoing resources than heavily managed environments that depend on continuous intervention. Once natural processes are reestablished, the need for persistent oversight may diminish, enabling conservation efforts to be maintained over extended periods without imposing excessive financial, administrative, or logistical burdens on governments or organizations responsible for environmental stewardship.

      However, concerns have been raised regarding the broader implications of reducing human control over such environments. In some cases, the reintroduction of certain species has produced effects that were not fully anticipated, altering existing ecological balances in ways that proved difficult to reverse or mitigate. Moreover, communities residing near these areas may encounter challenges, particularly when animals expand beyond designated zones and interact with human settlements. Some observers also argue that emphasizing restoration of past conditions may divert attention from addressing the underlying causes of environmental decline. As a result, debate continues over whether such measures represent a prudent strategy or an uncertain endeavor with unpredictable ramifications.