A conservation policy as a conservation threat

Towards an improved evidence‐based Natura 2000 management strategy

“…However, even if the six points raised by Kajzer‐Bonk & Bonk (2022) are implemented, the possibility of banning or merely reducing the intensity of grazing in large areas for several years may be limited. We agree with Chapron (2022) that strong political powers act against the goals of preserving biodiversity and note that it is a well‐established paradigm amongst conservation biologists, at least in Sweden, that grazing is essential for the maintenance of a species‐rich semi‐natural landscape. Whilst this may be true for many open grasslands, some can remain for several years without grazing, especially if situated on nutrient‐poor soils with intact hydrology and a high level of natural disturbances, such as flooding and droughts.…”

“…This leads to the conclusion that a systematic review and meta-analysis is a necessary, but not sufficient, step to assess the reproducibility of research findings (Voelkl et al, 2020) and towards an improved and evidence-based Natura 2000 management strategy. Chapron (2022) raises the interesting point that our findings have implications for the management of large carnivores, suggesting (indirectly) that an increased abundance of top predators may benefit diversity at lower levels in the food chain. It should be noted here that carnivore management is a topic of considerable controversy, at least in Sweden and conclusions must be tentative at this stage.…”

“…Chapron (2022) raises the interesting point that our findings have implications for the management of large carnivores, suggesting (indirectly) that an increased abundance of top predators may benefit diversity at lower levels in the food chain. It should be noted here that carnivore management is a topic of considerable controversy, at least in Sweden and conclusions must be tentative at this stage.…”

“…Here, we respond to the insightful and constructive commentaries by Kajzer‐Bonk & Bonk (2022) and Chapron (2022) that offer opportunities for further insights and directions for future research. We agree with Kajzer‐Bonk & Bonk (2022) that the Natura 2000 and CAP are not ill‐conceived in general.…”

“…Chapron (2022) states that the flexible approach to management that we propose (Kindvall et al ., 2022) may be a double‐edged sword. Admittedly, flexible management is not without risk; the (often unpredictable) changing environmental conditions, pressures on ecosystems and challenges for the society that come with climate change likely mean that a fixed strategy, no matter how well‐informed, will occasionally fail.…”