Progressing toward co-management through collaborative learning: forestry and reindeer husbandry in dialogue

Abstract

With complex common pool resources, it is important to balance the multitude of interests in order to generate a sustainable management regime. This is not the case in the northern parts of Sweden, where forest resources are used for different extractive purposes by forest companies and the reindeer herding industry. In many respects, the present situation represents a classic collective-action problem with a number of reasons why no cooperative behaviour might be expected. This article illuminates the relationship between the two industries in an historical, ecological and institutional perspective in order to explain the limited scope of coordinated action between the two actors. It also, through the use of collaborative learning techniques and scenario methods, explores the possibilities for the two industries to consider each other's needs and to identify strategies for co-existence and co-management. The testing of a broad range of scenarios among a selected group of stakeholders leads to the identification of possibilities for improving the management of the forest and lichen resource by changing institutional arrangements and improving coordination between the stakeholders.

Effects of Modern Forest Management on Winter Grazing Resources for Reindeer in Sweden

“…This could be interpreted to mean that the herding district should be given annual access to sufficiently large and cohesive grazing areas and ample vegetation resources in areas used for reindeer corralling, migration and resting. However, the nature of the consideration is not defined in detail, which leaves implementation of the law to consultation between the two industries with, in general, unsatisfactory results from a reindeer husbandry perspective (Sandström et al 2006;Widmark 2006).…”

“…Both reindeer husbandry and forestry have experienced major changes over the last century with subsequent conflicts over land use. These conflicts arise because of the way that the two industries use the forest resources, and the major negative effect that forestry has on the winter resources required for reindeer husbandry (Sandström et al 2006;Widmark 2006). In northern Sweden (Norrbotten, Västerbotten, Jämtland, Västernorrland), half of the forest land is owned by forest companies, 44% by private non-industrial owners, and the remaining area by communities etc.…”

Future changes in the supply of goods and services from natural ecosystems: prospects for the European north

“…All the studied ecosystem services have either experienced large changes in their provision or how they have been utilized by humans during the 20th century. Forestry and reindeer husbandry have undergone rationalization and mechanization (Sandström et al 2006), fundamentally changing for example working conditions (Hjelm 1991). The game species analyzed have changed in population size, as has the hunting legislation.…”

“…From an ecological point of view, an important strategy to enhance the adaptive capacities of reindeer husbandry is to increase or maintain a choice of grazing sites (Moen 2008). This capacity is already limited as a result of forestry, leading to up to 50% losses of winter grazing in the Nordic countries (Sandström et al 2006, Horstkotte et al 2011. Reservoirs, roads, and petroleum industries also constrain grazing areas (Rees et al 2008), and increasing infrastructural expansion and ecosystem degradation may further impact reindeer husbandry (Forbes et al 2011).…”

Sustainable landscape management in the Vilhelmina Model Forest, Sweden

“…Picking berries and mushrooms is allowed under the right of public access and is still of importance to many private households but is also a growing industrial sector with professional berry and mushroom pickers that are employed by private companies. Hence, there is a risk that the economic interests of private land ownership conflict with the interests of the broader public or companies, inevitably leading to rivaling claims to the use of the forest and the landscape (Sandström et al 2006). Hunting of small and big game is also an important activity for local inhabitants and as a business activity.…”