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Wildscapes
This is where it all starts, and where it will end.
DISCOVER
The Hidden World of Wildscapes
Wildscapes represent the vast range of Earth’s natural environments, each shaped by geological history, climate patterns, and living communities. They include the frozen glaciers of Iceland, where ancient ice layers record thousands of years of atmospheric change; the expansive Sahara Desert, where wind-sculpted dunes create a landscape of extreme survival; and the Amazon Rainforest, a dense, humid network of life that produces much of the world’s oxygen. These landscapes are not just backdrops — they are active systems influencing weather, biodiversity, and human culture. By examining wildscapes, researchers can trace the evolution of life, identify critical habitat zones, and understand the environmental pressures shaping species today.
Written by Gulce Tekin
LEARN
Learning from the Interconnectedness of Wildscapes
Wildscapes function as large-scale, interconnected systems in which plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms interact to sustain life. In temperate forests, trees store carbon, filter air, regulate water cycles, and provide shelter for a wide range of species, from insects to large mammals. In African savannas, seasonal rainfall controls plant growth, which in turn determines the migration patterns of herbivores such as wildebeest, followed closely by predators like lions. Wetlands act as natural water purifiers, supporting fish populations and bird migrations. Studying these environments allows us to see how each element — climate, terrain, vegetation, and wildlife — fits together to form a functioning whole, and how removing even one component can cause imbalance or collapse.
Scientific Lessons from Varied Landscapes
Each wildscape type offers specific scientific lessons that deepen our understanding of ecology and environmental resilience. Glaciers provide valuable climate records through ice cores, revealing how atmospheric carbon levels have changed over millennia and how modern warming compares to natural cycles. Deserts showcase the efficiency of water storage and use, with plants like cacti and animals such as fennec foxes evolving to survive with minimal resources. Rainforests demonstrate biodiversity’s role in maintaining ecosystem stability, with thousands of interdependent species contributing to nutrient cycles, pest control, and forest regeneration. By comparing these environments, scientists can identify patterns and strategies that inform land management, climate adaptation, and species recovery efforts worldwide.
LEARN
The Urgency of Protecting Wildscapes
Protecting wildscapes requires more than preserving their beauty; it involves safeguarding the ecological processes and services they provide. In tropical forests, preventing deforestation not only keeps wildlife habitats intact but also helps regulate the global carbon balance. In grasslands, restoration efforts such as controlled burns and native plant reintroduction support pollinator populations and maintain soil health. Arctic conservation focuses on limiting industrial activities like oil drilling, which can accelerate ice loss and disrupt marine and terrestrial food webs. Without protection, the degradation of these environments can trigger chain reactions — reduced biodiversity, water scarcity, soil erosion, and climate instability — affecting both wildlife and human communities.
LEARN
Exploring the Cultural and Historical Value of Wildscapes
Beyond their ecological importance, wildscapes carry deep cultural and historical significance. Indigenous communities worldwide have developed land management systems shaped by centuries of close observation, such as seasonal grazing, rotational farming, and controlled burns — practices that preserve biodiversity while meeting human needs. Many landscapes also hold sacred value: Aboriginal Dreamtime stories in Australia are tied to specific rock formations and waterholes, Andean peaks are revered as protective spirits, and sacred groves in East Africa act as community-managed reserves that protect critical habitats.
Wildscapes have also influenced the course of human history, with natural features shaping ancient trade routes, settlement patterns, and cultural exchange. River systems, deserts, and fertile plains not only supported civilizations but also served as corridors for sharing environmental knowledge and agricultural practices. Understanding these connections reveals wildscapes as more than ecological systems — they are living archives of human history, identity, and resilience.
PROTECT
Plants, Fungi, and the Foundations of Life
Plants and fungi form the foundation of every wildscape’s ecosystem. They generate energy through photosynthesis, recycle nutrients into the soil, and create microhabitats for countless species. Fungi, though often overlooked, are essential for decomposition and plant health, forming symbiotic relationships that allow forests, grasslands, and wetlands to thrive. The loss of these organisms can weaken entire ecosystems, making them more vulnerable to pests, disease, and climate shifts. Protection strategies include seed banking, habitat restoration, invasive species control, and legal safeguards for critical plant and fungal species. By preserving the living structures of wildscapes, we maintain the systems that support not only wildlife but also agriculture, clean water, and human livelihoods.
