Does Pastoralists' Participation in the Management of National Parks in Northern Norway Contribute to Adaptive Governance?

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Norwegian protected areas have historically been managed by central, expertise bureaucracy; however, a governance change in 2010 decentralized and delegated the right to manage protected areas to locally elected politicians and elected Sámi representatives in newly established National Park Boards. We explore how this new governance change affects adaptive capacity within the reindeer industry, as the reindeer herders are now participating with other users in decision-making processes related to large tracts of protected areas in which they have pasture access. Aspects within adaptive capacity and resilience thinking are useful as complementary dimensions to a social-ecological system framework (Ostrom 2007) in exploring the dynamics of complex adaptive social-ecological systems. The National Park Board provides a novel example of adaptive governance that can foster resilient livelihoods for various groups of actors that depend on protected areas. Data for this paper were gathered primarily through observation in National Park Board meetings, focus groups, and qualitative interviews with reindeer herders and other key stakeholders. We have identified certain aspects of the national park governance that may serve as sources of resilience and adaptive capacity for the natural system and pastoral people that rely on using these areas. The regional National Park Board is as such a critical mechanism that provides an action arena for participation and conflict resolution. However, desired outcomes such as coproduction of knowledge, social learning, and increased adaptive capacity within reindeer husbandry have not been actualized at this time.

Co-management of protected areas to alleviate conservation conflicts: Experiences in Norway

“…Literature on self-organization for the management of common-pool natural resources in general, not restricted to protected areas, consistently finds that the degree of dependence of actors on the resource and their knowledge of protected areas and mental models on conservation are important factors in collective action (Ostrom 1990(Ostrom , 2009Risvoll et al 2014;Delgado-Serrano and Ramos 2015). Zachrisson (2008) supports these results in the case of Norway's neighboring country, Sweden, showing that actors dependent on protected areas favor co-management.…”

“…Often the aim of co-management is to increase the legitimacy of protected areas and moderate negative attitudes toward conservation. Previous literature in the areas of study in this paper has identified tensions between various actor groups resulting in conflict regarding conservation Fedreheim 2013;Risvoll et al 2014Risvoll et al , 2016. These conflicts derive partly from problems of legiti-macy of the protected areas and conflicts between various actor groups.…”

“…Similarly, previous findings suggest that reindeer herders diverge in their support of pro-tected areas. Around half of them believe the traditional management model of protected areas helps safeguard their land but still stress some negative experiences, particularly with management issues, the burden of predators, and concerns for increased tourism and recreation (Holte 2008;Riseth and Holte 2008;Fedreheim 2013;Risvoll et al 2014). Moreover, researchers claim that the level of education is related to conservation support.…”

“…Landowners and farmers consider that international companies lack historical knowledge on the use of protected areas (A3) (Fedreheim 2013). Reindeer owners share a historical view on the use of the areas, and how reindeers migrate across land (Risvoll et al 2014). Recreationalists' knowledge of areas relates to their use of the areas, and is in general related to trails, paths, open cabins, scenic views etc (Fedreheim and Sandberg 2008).…”

Cross-cultural values and management preferences in protected areas of Norway and Poland

“…Although rare, nonpolitical organizations are sometimes represented in the local boards, such as the Skjåk bygdealmenning (common property) in Breheimen and the Swedish reindeer herders in Øvre Dividalen. In addition, professional advisory committees have been established including local stakeholders such as reindeer herders, landowners, tourism businesses, and recreation interests to provide input to the board (Risvoll et al, 2014).…”