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Conference abstract2010

To manage or not manage - forest owners’ perspectives on natural forests

Lidestav, Gun

Abstract

Ever since the land reforms in the late 19th century and the introduction of the first Forest Act in the beginning of the 20th century, a governing state principle has been to improve forestry by reshape the norms of the forest owners to realign their self-interest more towards serving the public good. From time to time, detailed regulations, command and control monitoring, economic incentives, information campaigns has become preferred instrument of archiving the goal. This “Swedish model of forest policy”, with a strong emphasis on silviculture and timber production until, has also proved to be efficient. The Swedish small scale forest owners has in an international perspective been comparatively ready at producing timber as it is i) profitable ii) simple, and not at least iii) in line with a forest farmer tradition of managing the forest farm in such way that it can be transferred to the next generation in an improved condition. However, with a new forest policy, calling for voluntary set asides by the forest owners, the traditional management idea principle is challenged. Based on previous research findings on small scale forest owners’ attitudes and behavior, and some new results from a resent Future Forest survey, I will problemize the concept of conservation (non-management) as opposite to culture (management). Further, the concept of forest owner/forest farmer will be examined and set in both a rural development, and a market (value chain) context

Published in

Title: Northern Primeval Forests : Ecology, Conservation & Management : Sundsvall, Sweden, 9th - 13th August 2010 : Programme Abstracts List of Participants

Conference

Northern Primeval Forests: Ecology, Conservation & Management