Plant Diversity Jumps On Rewilded Farm: species on ex-arable plots leap fourfold; survey shows rapid gains

When Wild Ken Hill, a coastal farm in Norfolk, began transforming 500 acres of poor, marginal farmland in 2019, the aim was to let nature recover with as little intervention as possible. Three years later, a repeat vegetation survey found that the average number of plant species in open parts of the rewilding area had almost doubled, from 16.8 in 2019 to 33.2 in 2022. The findings, published by the farm and supported by independent conservation bodies including Rewilding Britain, offer an early glimpse of how quickly biodiversity can respond when former farmland is given space to recover.From farmland to a landscape shaped by natureThe Wild Ken Hill project began taking shape in January 2019. Alongside rewilding 500 acres of marginal farmland and a similar area of woodland, the estate began restoring its freshwater marshes and shifting the rest of its agricultural operation towards regenerative farming focused on soil health.The rewilding area was managed through natural grazing, with free-roaming Red Poll cattle, Exmoor ponies and Tamworth pigs helping shape the vegetation. Beavers were later introduced as ecosystem engineers, while the site continued to be monitored through detai...