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Research article - Peer-reviewed, 2016

Dissimilar framings of forest biodiversity preservation: Uncertainty and legal ambiguity as contributing factors

Uggla, Ylva; Forsberg, Maria; Larsson, Stig

Abstract

Controversies over forestry and environmental issues, including biodiversity, are common. Theory suggests that uncertainty may play a major role in framing biodiversity and its preservation. This paper examines written statements on biodiversity preservation published by two major Swedish organizations, i.e., the Swedish Forest Industries Federation and the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, with different interests in forest use. Frame analysis suggests that when the actors pursue a certain policy course, both biodiversity-related uncertainty and lack of regulatory clarity are important factors contributing to dissimilar framings. This case study supports the general understanding that biodiversity-related uncertainty can have important implications for biodiversity preservation, in this case, via forest policy and legislation. Scientific uncertainty may allow actors with dissimilar interests in an issue to justify their standpoints. To successfully manage forest biodiversity in the future, legal frameworks must increasingly find ways to accommodate scientific uncertainty, and models must be developed in which stakeholders' diverging interests and values address uncertainties via dialogue. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Forestry; Biodiversity; Framing; Uncertainty; Regulation; Forest policy

Published in

Forest Policy and Economics
2016, Volume: 62, pages: 36-42
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

      SLU Authors

    • Associated SLU-program

      SLU Future Forests
      SLU Swedish Biodiversity Centre

      Sustainable Development Goals

      SDG15 Life on land

      UKÄ Subject classification

      Law and Society
      Forest Science
      Ecology

      Publication identifier

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2015.07.007

      Permanent link to this page (URI)

      https://res.slu.se/id/publ/79661