Effective rewilding requires an ambitious vision, but also robust tools to support implementation. One of the practical challenges faced by conservation organisations, public authorities, philanthropic funders and land managers is how to identify, in a systematic and transparent way, those areas where land acquisition for rewilding is most likely to generate significant ecological benefits.
Our paper, Expanding European Protected Areas Through Rewilding, addressed this challenge by proposing a framework to identify areas across Europe with strong potential to contribute to biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration and the strengthening of protected area networks. Since its publication, several users have expressed interest in accessing the results at higher spatial resolution, particularly to support decision-making related to land acquisition and investment prioritisation.
In response to this need, Diogo Alagador developed an interactive visualisation tool. The tool enables users to examine rewilding opportunities across Europe and to explore them at finer spatial scales, thereby supporting a more detailed assessment of where opportunities may be most promising and where constraints may limit feasibility.
By linking broad-scale scientific analysis with an accessible spatial interface, the tool helps bridge the gap between strategic conservation planning and practical implementation. It can support the identification of areas where land acquisition may strengthen ecological connectivity, expand restoration opportunities, and enhance the long-term coherence and resilience of conservation networks.
The tool is intended to inform, rather than replace, local knowledge and site-level evaluation. Factors such as governance, land tenure, social acceptance, legal frameworks and current land use remain essential to determining feasibility on the ground. Nevertheless, by providing an evidence-based basis for initial screening and prioritisation, the paper and the associated visualisation tool together offer a valuable resource for institutions seeking to target rewilding investments in a strategic, transparent and scientifically grounded manner.