Although the number of women who own and manage forests is increasing, they are still a minority compared to men. They also act in an environment shaped by male norms and values, which makes the preconditions for them initially different…
Scenario analysis – a new tool for forest management?
The forest landscape in northern Sweden holds many economic, ecological and sociocultural values. Besides serving as a timber resource, the forest is also a source for biodiversity, natural and cultural values, recreation, energy material, hunting, fishing, and reindeer husbandry. All…
Gender matters when owning forest
Despite the fact that approximately 30 percent of the forest owners in Europe are women, there is a lack of basic insight and knowledge regarding the significance of gender when it comes to who owns forest and how the ownership…
Challenges for the governance of future forest landscapes in Sweden
Forest landscapes have an important role to play as providers of vital ecosystem services and provisions in future sustainable societies. They sequester carbon, support biodiversity, and supply renewable materials to various ends. The trade-offs between these services and provisions are…
Forest commons contribute to local development
The results from a study of four dissimilar European forest commons with varying histories show a similar ability to adapt to surrounding changes and still maintain a local rootedness and influence. The North West Mull Community Woodland Company in Scotland…
The choice of forest management strategy has consequences, but how should different interests be considered and prioritized?
The way a forest is managed is an active choice. Researchers have shown, based on “real-world” data combined with the use of an advanced forest decision support system, that forestry that follows the recommendations of the Swedish Forestry Act yields…
Traditions challenge gender-equality work in Swedish forestry
In a traditionally men-dominated industry like forestry, work for gender equality can be a great challenge. Traditions and norms constitute challenges as they generates different forms of resistance. However, as a new research article shows, this resistance may also present…
Women’s networks within forestry create room for change
The Swedish forestry industry depends heavily on private forest owners and their resources. Within a historical perspective men performed the heavy manual labor of logging, and remained in charge of the operations when the industry later became more industrialized and…
Participation in decision-making is a complex issue
The post-war era has brought with it many social changes in the Western world, not least in regard to democracy. The major trend is increased democratization and greater transparency in central societal processes such as planning and decision-making, for example…
Mistra Arctic
Today there is an unprecedented global as well as local interest in the Arctic. Climate change, rising political activity among Arctic residents including native groups, new prospecting and exploitation technologies and projects, and linked global policy processes are some of…