Abstract
To implement biodiversity conservation policies a tool-box has been developed in Fennoscandia that includes subsidies (e.g., cultural woodland), formal protection (e.g., forest) and voluntary set-asides (e.g., certification schemes and forest management plans). To contribute to sustainable management of biodiversity, including social-science perspectives we will: (A) Evaluate scientifically the formal and voluntary set-asides of natural forests and cultural woodlands with respect to (1) how much is recommended to be set-aside in relation to empirical knowledge from conservation biology and landscape ecology about how much is required to maintain biodiversity, (2) estimate spatial functionality of conservation areas for focal species, and (3) evaluate the duration of functionality. (B) Map actors involved with formal and voluntary processes at multiple levels of governance using qualitative methods to learn about their (1) understanding of biodiversity policies and policy implementation instruments, (2) ability to act at multiple scales and (3) attitudes concerning different biodiversity dimensions. To ensure functional interaction between natural and human science research dimensions, and to understand the role of “decision landscapes” given variation in ownership patterns, and laissez-faire (forest) and management conservation (e.g. cultural rural and urban) visions, we will work in multiple landscapes (~100x100 km) in Sweden and Finland.
Sweden