Fekete Gábor discussion series - pt. 3.

Continuing the 'Fekete Gábor discussion series' marked the start of the 2025 scientific events in the HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research. The gathering, third of its kind, focussed on the benefits and drawbacks of rewilding. The aim of the discussion series is to allow for longer, deeper scientific conversation and debates on the core questions in the field of ecology, on possible ways ahead, on Hungarian and international trends and opportunities. The discussion series was named after professor Gábor Fekete, who was once an academic in our institute, engaging many colleagues in valuable scientific conversations. The event was started off by short presentations from Melinda Halassy, Mariann Bíró, Réka Aszalós and Zsolt Molnár, from which the audience learned about the relationship between ecological restoration and rewilding, their similarities and differences. We looked at examples in Europe and worldwide, and shared views on the benefits and disadvantages of the concept, primarily in the context of Hungary and Eastern Europe.