Tamworth Pig on the Knepp Estate

Synopsis

Rootling is when pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) use their snouts to dig into the soil. This acts as a natural form of soil aeration which improves its structure and oxygen flow, enhancing the soil as a result. It also decomposes organic matter more efficiently, enriching the soil with nutrients and promoting the growth of plants. Additionally, rootling supports biodiversity by exposing seeds, insects, and microorganisms, creating a dynamic ecosystem beneficial to plant and animal life. The Knepp Estate is 3,500 acres of land that were once intensively farmed but since 2002 has been committed to a rewilding project. The Knepp Wildland Project is a pioneering conservation effort that offers solutions to problems like soil restoration, flood mitigation, and water and air purification. The estate has also become a breeding hotspot for critically endangered animals such as nightingales and turtle doves. Other bird species such as ravens, sparrow hawks, and skylarks have also been breeding at Knepp Estate.

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Credit

Images freely available on Open Planet

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Production Companies

Silverback Films

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Additional Credits

Netflix

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