Environmental change and nature management in Norway

Abstract

Lundberg, A. 1996. Environmental change and nature management in Norway. Norsk geogr. Tidsskr. Vol. 50, 143–156. Oslo. ISSN 0029-1951. Changes in the flora and vegetation of the littoral zone of S. and W. Norway are analysed by studying the response of plants to changes in climate and land-use patterns. When coastal ecosystems and landscapes are studied through a time series, they appear to be maintained by different climate regimes or types of land use, in particular agriculture. Consequently, they should be expected to change with changing climates or land-use systems. Three examples are analysed: the changing distribution and abundance of Cranibe maritima, fluctuations in the number of seabirds in seabird colonies, and the vegetation dynamics of salt marshes. The analysis indicates that the theory of stability and ecological balance as the ultimate state of developments is a myth. Norwegian nature conservation has so far failed to cope with the changing status of coastal landscapes and ecosystems.