Reaching for new perspectives on socio-ecological systems: exploring the possibilities for adaptive co-management in the Swedish mountain region

Abstract

Natural resource management policy seems to be changing with regard to the choice of both institutions and organisation to meet the demands for further decentralisation of natural resource management to local communities. The need to integrate ecological knowledge with political, economic, social and ethical perspectives in order to develop appropriate management tools has become obvious. The Swedish mountain region is facing a rapid change in socio-economic conditions. Traditional stakeholders are required to share the resources with new user groups, creating a risk for a tragedy of 'open access'. This article explores the possibilities for adaptive co-management of natural resources in the Swedish mountain region and suggests a two-stage process, where the first stage has to reach a clear understanding of how the overarching (national) goals limit the power and resources devolved to local community-based organisations. How large is the space that local co-management can explore adaptively? Collaborative learning is especially important for establishing a common basis of understanding. The process should result in a restricted number of management models. The second stage evaluates iteratively if the management model from stage one is performing as predicted, or if any of the competing models prove a better choice. Criteria of success have to be defined early, and careful monitoring of ecological, economic and social values is required.