Conservation at risk: conflict analysis in the Białowieża Forest, a European biodiversity hotspot

Abstract

The Białowieża Forest is one of the last large remnants of near-natural lowland temperate forest in Europe. For centuries it has had a favourable conservation status by virtue of being a royal game reserve. However, the governance and management changes introduced during the twentieth century have affected the forest's ecological status. For two decades, scientists alongside environmentalists have been debating fiercely with foresters and local residents about effective biodiversity conservation of the Białowieża Forest. Based on a literature review and semi-structured interviews with the main stakeholders in this debate, we analysed the mechanisms underlying the on-going discord, and the assumptions behind the claims of opponents. Important findings were that neither of the opposing groups favoured management options that were optimal for the maintenance of the Białowieża Forest biodiversity values in the long term. Second, persistent tension was fostered through a mutual lack of trust, incompatible appreciation of factual data, local vested interests and by overall economic insecurity of local stakeholders. We discuss the need for restoration-oriented management that would both secure remnants of this irreplaceable ecosystem and restore more disturbed areas of the entire forest massif. There seems to be a need for a shift toward an approach combining bottom-up social processes focused on addressing concrete needs of local stakeholders with strong communication of the clearly identified conservation values of the Białowieża Forest. Finally, incentives for biodiversity conservation must be incorporated into pertinent legislation and funding, as only then would the entire scheme for management and governance stand a chance of success.