RESEARCH
Interactions between humans and wildlife are increasing in Europe. Today there is growing public and political pressure to ensure that management approaches result in sustainable and resilient wildlife populations in the face of environmental change. Europe’s key challenges here lie in developing new and improved wildlife management strategies based on sound science, fully utilizing and integrating the capacity of the network members in the humanities, natural and social sciences of wildlife, and the interactions those fields of expertise have with society nationally and internationally. Sweden being no exception to this.
Current Projects
GOVERNANCE
Nowadays, the number of ungulates and predators increases. New species establish themselves in Sweden. This means that wildlife management must deal with increased complexity in relation to other social interests, and these interests are balanced to promote a legitimate sustainable wildlife management. Sustainable future wildlife management needs to take into account both individual and collective dimensions.
In GOVERNANCE we study (1) the individual, socio-cultural and political-institutional dimensions of wildlife management (2) the adaptive multi-species management capacity to manage current and future challenges, and 3) the conditions for knowledge-building and skills development in the future of wildlife management. GOVERNANCE develops the ecosystem based and adaptive moose management system in order to include other ungulates and large predators. Our analyses of individual, socio-cultural and political-institutional dimensions are based on environmental psychology, social anthropology and political science theories and are implemented in close cooperation with the ecological perspective in the projects BEYOND MOOSE. We use quantitative and qualitative research methods to achieve both breadth and depth in our empirical studies. GOVERNANCE covers 3 + 3 years and works on the basis of five key concepts to study what it takes for a legitimate and sustainable wildlife management: trust, representation, knowledge spheres, communication and leadership.
GOVERNANCE responds to the need to achieve acceptance and tolerance both for individual species and the ecosystems/landscapes that the adaptive wildlife management should deal with. GOVERNANCE provides deeper applicable knowledge about how the current management system can handle increasing populations of both ungulates and carnivores in the country.
Funder: Viltvårdsfonden (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency)
Nowadays, the number of ungulates and predators increases. New species establish themselves in Sweden. This means that wildlife management must deal with increased complexity in relation to other social interests, and these interests are balanced to promote a legitimate sustainable wildlife management. Sustainable future wildlife management needs to take into account both individual and collective dimensions.
In GOVERNANCE we study (1) the individual, socio-cultural and political-institutional dimensions of wildlife management (2) the adaptive multi-species management capacity to manage current and future challenges, and 3) the conditions for knowledge-building and skills development in the future of wildlife management. GOVERNANCE develops the ecosystem based and adaptive moose management system in order to include other ungulates and large predators. Our analyses of individual, socio-cultural and political-institutional dimensions are based on environmental psychology, social anthropology and political science theories and are implemented in close cooperation with the ecological perspective in the projects BEYOND MOOSE. We use quantitative and qualitative research methods to achieve both breadth and depth in our empirical studies. GOVERNANCE covers 3 + 3 years and works on the basis of five key concepts to study what it takes for a legitimate and sustainable wildlife management: trust, representation, knowledge spheres, communication and leadership.
GOVERNANCE responds to the need to achieve acceptance and tolerance both for individual species and the ecosystems/landscapes that the adaptive wildlife management should deal with. GOVERNANCE provides deeper applicable knowledge about how the current management system can handle increasing populations of both ungulates and carnivores in the country.
Funder: Viltvårdsfonden (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency)
Sustainable rural development - for or by the people?
Conflicts over natural resources management are common. In this project we study if the partnership between public and private actors reduces conflicts and helps to create conditions for sustainable rural development.
Partnerships between public and private actors are used increasingly in order to manage natural resources. It may involve conservation sites, national parks, predators, moose, or fish. Partnerships can be a part of the state administration but also provide the framework for example leaders. We analyze the establishment of these partnerships, on whose terms they established and what they contribute in terms of conflict management and rural development. The project contributes to new knowledge on methods for sustainable management of natural resources.
Funder: The Swedish Research Council FORMAS
Project homepage
Conflicts over natural resources management are common. In this project we study if the partnership between public and private actors reduces conflicts and helps to create conditions for sustainable rural development.
Partnerships between public and private actors are used increasingly in order to manage natural resources. It may involve conservation sites, national parks, predators, moose, or fish. Partnerships can be a part of the state administration but also provide the framework for example leaders. We analyze the establishment of these partnerships, on whose terms they established and what they contribute in terms of conflict management and rural development. The project contributes to new knowledge on methods for sustainable management of natural resources.
Funder: The Swedish Research Council FORMAS
Project homepage
ADAPTIVE MOOSE MANAGEMENT
On behalf of the Swedish government and in connection with the introduction of a new moose management system in 2012, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has developed training material tailored for members of the county administrative boards appointed wildlife management delegations (VFD) and moose management groups for individual moose management areas (ÄFO).
Regeringsuppdrag
Project homepage
On behalf of the Swedish government and in connection with the introduction of a new moose management system in 2012, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has developed training material tailored for members of the county administrative boards appointed wildlife management delegations (VFD) and moose management groups for individual moose management areas (ÄFO).
Regeringsuppdrag
Project homepage
A Monitoring-Based Decision Support Toolbox for Magnificent Mountain Landscapes
This project is part of the research initiative A Magnificent Mountain Landscape which will provide more knowledge for sustainable development and future management of the Swedish mountains. The research initiative aims at encouraging a holistic view of the mountain landscape and is based on close collaboration with the mountain stakeholders.
Funder: Swedish Environmental Protection Agency
Project homepage
This project is part of the research initiative A Magnificent Mountain Landscape which will provide more knowledge for sustainable development and future management of the Swedish mountains. The research initiative aims at encouraging a holistic view of the mountain landscape and is based on close collaboration with the mountain stakeholders.
Funder: Swedish Environmental Protection Agency
Project homepage
Former Projects
Changing attitudes towards large carnivores - challenges and drivers
Our goal with the grant from the Swedish EPA was to lay the foundations for a longitudinal study to gradually accumulate knowledge about changing attitudes and values in Sweden. The work builds on a completed study within the research program Mountain Mistra in 2004. Empirical studies conducted in a similar manner and with proven tools such as attitudes surveys constitute an important source of knowledge about both the general public's attitudes and values among those differently affected directly or indirectly by large carnivore management. Our survey methodology is based both on a national sample, and on a sample of citizens in cities and counties with large carnivore populations. We use the national sample, a representative sample of the Swedish population, to analyze how widely different values and attitudes is distributed in society, and how fast they change. The individual impact that an attitude survey represents may thus be placed in a longer-term perspective, which means that we can better understand the present in the light of developments in this area in the longer term. An important conclusion from our studies is that people make a distinction between the presence of large carnivores and attitudes to policies and different management actions. This means that the large carnivore issue is not only about the presence of large carnivores in Sweden, but rather on how many they are and how they can be managed effectively. Here we note a change in attitudes to policy over time by direct and indirect experience of the presence of wolves and bears. Thus there is a relationship between changes in the ecological system and the social system.
Funder: Viltvårdsfonden (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency)
Our goal with the grant from the Swedish EPA was to lay the foundations for a longitudinal study to gradually accumulate knowledge about changing attitudes and values in Sweden. The work builds on a completed study within the research program Mountain Mistra in 2004. Empirical studies conducted in a similar manner and with proven tools such as attitudes surveys constitute an important source of knowledge about both the general public's attitudes and values among those differently affected directly or indirectly by large carnivore management. Our survey methodology is based both on a national sample, and on a sample of citizens in cities and counties with large carnivore populations. We use the national sample, a representative sample of the Swedish population, to analyze how widely different values and attitudes is distributed in society, and how fast they change. The individual impact that an attitude survey represents may thus be placed in a longer-term perspective, which means that we can better understand the present in the light of developments in this area in the longer term. An important conclusion from our studies is that people make a distinction between the presence of large carnivores and attitudes to policies and different management actions. This means that the large carnivore issue is not only about the presence of large carnivores in Sweden, but rather on how many they are and how they can be managed effectively. Here we note a change in attitudes to policy over time by direct and indirect experience of the presence of wolves and bears. Thus there is a relationship between changes in the ecological system and the social system.
Funder: Viltvårdsfonden (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency)
Management of large carnivores in Sweden - challenges and opportunities (Conference)
From an international perspective, the Swedish carnivore policy and administration can be seen as successful. From being virtually extinct, several species of large carnivores now recovered and others are well on track. However with rising carnivore numbers also conflicts of interests grow. Carnivore policy and management can thus no longer focus solely on issues concerning the conservation of large carnivores, but must increasingly consider questions of management. This creates a need to find new tools to effectively manage the increasing fear of large carnivores and the conflicts between different groups on different levels of society. Today's challenge for politics and administration differs from yesterdays and places new demands on research as well as policy and management. To meet this challenge we require new knowledge on the interaction between society and nature, effective and legitimate governance, and social aspects of management. To meet this demand, social science and interdisciplinary research in social sciences increased significantly over the past decade. The purpose of this conference is to gather, mostly social scientists from different disciplines and universities in Sweden, to synthesize the current social science research on large carnivores. The conference discusses and presents researchers with both theoretical and empirical aspects of the management of large carnivores. Thematic research can be divided into a theme related to attitudes towards predators and management measures as well as in a theme related to participation in management. The studies include individual cases and studies that are more quantitatively oriented. The result of the conference is a special issue in Wildlife Biology (LINK).
Funder: Viltvårdsfonden (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency) & The Swedish Research Council FORMAS
From an international perspective, the Swedish carnivore policy and administration can be seen as successful. From being virtually extinct, several species of large carnivores now recovered and others are well on track. However with rising carnivore numbers also conflicts of interests grow. Carnivore policy and management can thus no longer focus solely on issues concerning the conservation of large carnivores, but must increasingly consider questions of management. This creates a need to find new tools to effectively manage the increasing fear of large carnivores and the conflicts between different groups on different levels of society. Today's challenge for politics and administration differs from yesterdays and places new demands on research as well as policy and management. To meet this challenge we require new knowledge on the interaction between society and nature, effective and legitimate governance, and social aspects of management. To meet this demand, social science and interdisciplinary research in social sciences increased significantly over the past decade. The purpose of this conference is to gather, mostly social scientists from different disciplines and universities in Sweden, to synthesize the current social science research on large carnivores. The conference discusses and presents researchers with both theoretical and empirical aspects of the management of large carnivores. Thematic research can be divided into a theme related to attitudes towards predators and management measures as well as in a theme related to participation in management. The studies include individual cases and studies that are more quantitatively oriented. The result of the conference is a special issue in Wildlife Biology (LINK).
Funder: Viltvårdsfonden (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency) & The Swedish Research Council FORMAS
Sustainable Management in the Mountain Region (Mountain Mistra/ Fjäll Mistra)
Sweden’s mountain region has low biodiversity and is vulnerable to overexploitation. The land is used in numerous ways, by many stakeholders with interests that sometimes conflict. It is used by reindeer owners for winter grazing, by forest owners, for tourism, and by the local population for hunting and fishing. Should land be allocated for the mining industry, or should it be a national park? What are people’s attitudes towards predators? How should the various interests be balanced for long-term development of the mountain region? The Mountain Mistra Programme (MMP) created a knowledge base for a common view of resource conservation.
As part of the MMP we enhanced knowledge of stakeholder attitudes. For example, a major questionnaire with more than 100 questions, ranging from views on national parks to frequency of eating game meat, was sent to 12,000 people. An extensive network organisation was created to bring together the various stakeholders in the region: forest owners, Sami villagers, the Swedish Touring Club, Swedish Forest Agency, county administrative boards and more. Annual conferences on mountain research were held in such places as Gällivare, Luleå and Vilhelmina. Several surveys were conducted, on subjects including winter grazing access, national parks and local influence. The programme also compiled inventories of small game on state-owned land.
Sweden’s mountain region has low biodiversity and is vulnerable to overexploitation. The land is used in numerous ways, by many stakeholders with interests that sometimes conflict. It is used by reindeer owners for winter grazing, by forest owners, for tourism, and by the local population for hunting and fishing. Should land be allocated for the mining industry, or should it be a national park? What are people’s attitudes towards predators? How should the various interests be balanced for long-term development of the mountain region? The Mountain Mistra Programme (MMP) created a knowledge base for a common view of resource conservation.
As part of the MMP we enhanced knowledge of stakeholder attitudes. For example, a major questionnaire with more than 100 questions, ranging from views on national parks to frequency of eating game meat, was sent to 12,000 people. An extensive network organisation was created to bring together the various stakeholders in the region: forest owners, Sami villagers, the Swedish Touring Club, Swedish Forest Agency, county administrative boards and more. Annual conferences on mountain research were held in such places as Gällivare, Luleå and Vilhelmina. Several surveys were conducted, on subjects including winter grazing access, national parks and local influence. The programme also compiled inventories of small game on state-owned land.
Integrating Biological and Sociological Methodology to Predict Feasible Areas for Re-Colonization
In the project we aimed to integrate ecological and sociological methodology to develop a novel approach that can support in human-related conflicts when species re-colonize. We assessed human attitudes in the core distribution areas, along the perimeter and in predicted expansion areas for the four large carnivores using standard mail survey technique. The survey instrument consisted of sections about attitudes towards and willingness to pay for reaching the Swedish conservation goals for wolves, lynx, bears, wolverines, general attitude objects and questions about background variables. We found that both the attitudes as well as the behavioral intention willingness to pay (WTP) was negatively related to the presence of larges carnivores with presence of wolves the key driving forces, to the urban profile and to the opposition against the European Union Monetary Union.
In the project we aimed to integrate ecological and sociological methodology to develop a novel approach that can support in human-related conflicts when species re-colonize. We assessed human attitudes in the core distribution areas, along the perimeter and in predicted expansion areas for the four large carnivores using standard mail survey technique. The survey instrument consisted of sections about attitudes towards and willingness to pay for reaching the Swedish conservation goals for wolves, lynx, bears, wolverines, general attitude objects and questions about background variables. We found that both the attitudes as well as the behavioral intention willingness to pay (WTP) was negatively related to the presence of larges carnivores with presence of wolves the key driving forces, to the urban profile and to the opposition against the European Union Monetary Union.