Category: Landscape

LANDPATHS at conferences down under

25 June 2025 /

Programme leader Malgorzata Blicharska (Gosia) is in Australia presenting LANDPATHS at two international conferences. While down under, she is also presenting work from the EU project NEXOGENESIS and Formas-funded project PUDDLE-JUMP, and promoting a new book.

First stop was Brisbane, for the 32nd International Congress for Conservation Biology 2025, hosted by the Society for Conservation Biology. Gosia presented the paper ‘Multiple understandings of multifunctional landscapes supporting biodiversity in Sweden’, co-authored with several members of the LANDPATHS team. The paper was presented in a session on Conservation Law and Policy, moderated by Helene Marsh (James Cook University).

Presenting at the ICCB conference in Brisbane.

While at ICCB, Gosia presented a poster on ‘Aligning policies and practice: addressing governance and capacity gaps in the implementation of ponds and wetlands in Sweden (results from the PUDDLE-JUMP project). She also organised a symposium on ‘Large and Old Trees – Ecological and Cultural Significance’. This is linked to an book on Large and Old Trees that Gosia is editing and which will be published soon. The symposium included presentations on: The decline of large old trees: threats, interactions, and conservation actions (Elle Bowd), Public safety considerations constraint the conservation of large old trees and their microhabitats (Arkadiusz Frohlich); The importance of large and old trees for fungi and fungi for large and old trees (Elle Bowd); and Writing the Jōmon Sugi: Literary Representations of Japan’s Most Famous Tree (Jon L. Pitt).

Arkadiusz Frohlich presenting his work on the conservation of old trees.

The LANDPATHS paper was also presented at the 11th Ecosystem Services Partnership World Conference in Darwin. The conference theme was ‘From global to local ecosystem services: pathways to Nature-based Solutions inspired from Down Under’ and the LANDPATHS findings were discussed in a session on ‘Importance of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in sustainable development of rural communities: livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, and nonmaterial values’.

Presenting LANDPATHS at the ESP World Conference.

While at the ESP conference, Gosia also presented a poster about ‘Bridging Science and Policy: Integrating Ecosystems into the Water-Energy-Food
Nexus for Sustainable Resource Management (from the EU NEXOGENESIS project).

It was not all work though, and Gosia managed some fantastic trips out into the Australian nature during her trip.

Gosia in the Blue Mountains

Aboriginal paintings in the Kakadu National Park

Meeting the locals

The LANDPATHS article presented at the conferences is currently under review in Journal of Environmental Planning and Management:

Blicharska, M., Dawson, L., Gilek, M., Hedblom, M., Hilding-Rydevik, T., Karlsson, M., Powell, N., Sandström, S., Tickle, L., Öhman, F., Glass, J. “Multifunctional landscapes – an overview of the concept in research and practice in Sweden”.

SAVE THE DATE: Experience sharing and learning workshop – forest landscapes

10 June 2025 /

Governance and management towards more diverse forest landscapes in the Gävleborg region

We invite you to participate in a workshop aimed at strengthening efforts to diversify forest landscapes in the Gävleborg region. The workshop is part of the research programs LANDPATHS and Mistra Environmental Communication. The focus of the day will be on issues related to governance, management and learning in times of uncertainty.

? Date: October 1, 2025
? Time: 09:30 – 15:00
? Location: Högbo Brukshotell, Hans Hiertas v 5, 811 92 Sandviken

In a time of war, climate change, biodiversity loss and a changing political landscape, questions about how we govern, manage and use our Swedish forests are being cast in a new light. Against the backdrop of a more uncertain world, it is becoming increasingly important to promote different functions and values in the landscape.

Recently, there have been a number of initiatives to shift from clear felling to less intensive forest management practices. Although industrial felling still dominates, there are important examples of alternatives to felling that challenge institutionalized norms and help to legitimize new ideas and developing new conceptions of forests and forestry.

The aim of the workshop is to explore how we can work within existing governance and management structures to empower initiators, facilitate networking and enable more people to act in ways that increase forest diversity. During the workshop, participants with different interests and knowledge in forests, from the private and public sectors, will discuss and think together about the following questions:

  • Who are the key actors driving the diversification of the forest landscape?
  • What kind of initiatives, innovations and relationships do these actors promote or discourage?
  • How can their roles be strengthened?
  • What room for action exists within existing governance and management?

We hope you will join us to share your insights and help develop governance and management that strengthens the diversity of the forest landscape.

Please register via the following link: https://doit.medfarm.uu.se/bin/kurt3/kurt/8886732 by 30 June 2025.

If you have questions, please contact Thao Do.

New report summarises the results of Nämdö archipelago citizen jury

27 May 2025 /

A new report summarizes the results from the citizens’ jury in the Nämdö Archipelago. The citizens’ jury was organized through a collaboration between the non-profit association Nämdö Green Archipelago (NGA) and LANDPATHS. The purpose was to establish priorities and deepen knowledge for the work of creating a biosphere reserve in the Nämdö Archipelago.

The citizens’ jury brought together 25 participants with various connections to the Nämdö Archipelago, ranging from permanent residents to part-time and holiday residents. Participants were recruited through an invitation letter sent to all households in the Nämdö Archipelago, as well as through digital channels and posters placed in strategic locations. This was followed by a selection process aimed at recruiting a broad diversity of opinions, demographics, and connections to the area. Participants received financial compensation for their involvement and were offered other forms of support to facilitate participation (language buddies, childcare, etc.).

During the process, experts contributed knowledge in fields such as sustainable community planning, business development, conservation, biodiversity, culture, and infrastructure.

The process was led by the consulting firm Kairos Future, which also designed the process in collaboration with NGA and researchers from LANDPATHS. The citizen jury discussions mainly took place in small groups, each led by a group facilitator.

After two days of deliberations, the participants proposed the following priorities for NGA’s work on the planned biosphere reserve:

  • Permanent residents
    Promote an increase in the number of permanent residents in the archipelago, especially by creating more opportunities for small-scale businesses such as local food production.
  • Conservation / species balance
    Promote greater biodiversity and a balance of species. Specific actions mentioned included reducing the deer population, restoring more wetlands, and creating habitats for predatory fish.
  • Digital meeting place
    Create a digital platform to increase youth participation in the development of the Nämdö Archipelago.
  • Marine Centre (“Havsrum”)
    Work towards establishing a Marine Centre in connection with the planned national park.
  • Community activity centre
    Work to establish a multi-purpose community centre on Nämdö.
  • Consultation
    Act as a consultative link between local residents and government authorities.
  • Renewable Energy
    Facilitate the establishment of renewable energy solutions.
  • Drinking Water
    Promote more sustainable use of and better access to drinking water.

The citizens’ jury also created a shared vision for the archipelago’s development. The results will serve as the foundation for NGA’s continued efforts to establish a biosphere reserve in the Nämdö Archipelago.

Read the report here, Swedish (PDF):

2025 05 Nämdöskärgårdens medborgarråd – RapportDownload

If you have any questions, please contact Tim Daw (Stockholm Resilience Centre).

Long-term perspectives, dreams, and prerequisites for multifunctionality and biodiversity in Härjedalen

14 April 2025 /

An engaged group of 20 people, primarily consisting of farmers from farms around the vast region of Härjedalen, gathered in Hede on a sunny Monday in early April. The topic of the day was imagining futures for agriculture in Härjedalen.

Participants gathered at Wemer Wärdshus in Hede, Härjedalen. Photo: Johanna Tangnäs.

Challenges and opportunities in the area

There are many challenges in terms of infrastructure and financing, but also very clear advantages and strengths. The region is rich in biodiversity, has favourable conditions for natural grazing, and many of the country’s remaining active mountain pastures (fäbodar) are located here. Keeping the landscape open, continuing with natural grazing, and cultivating the land in a wise manner are crucial for ecosystems, but also for ensuring that people can continue to live and make a living here, even for future generations.

Our research has shown how policies and support measures (mainly from the EU) highlight the importance of the work being done in small-scale agriculture and local communities. At the same time, the existing support systems and structures at both the European and national levels are not particularly favorable for the landscape and the forms of land use that exist in Härjedalen. Furthermore, it has become clear that farmers themselves are not sufficiently consulted on what they need in order to continue, and how they can contribute to biodiversity and strengthened food production in agriculture.

The questions discussed during the day focused on desired futures and possible paths to reach them:

  • What positive futures for agriculture can you envision – in terms of production, livelihoods, living conditions, and nature?
  • How can future agriculture in Härjedalen continue to produce food and contribute to biodiversity?
  • What could enable these positive futures – what changes are needed in support systems and conditions?
  • What does the EU’s agricultural support mean for the development of good futures for agriculture in Härjedalen?
Late winter hills in Härjedalen. Photo: Johanna Tangnäs.

A wide range of participants

In addition to farmers, a few other business owners participated (many combine farming with other businesses in Härjedalen), along with two representatives from the municipality, one from the Rural Economy and Agricultural Societies (Hushållningssällskapet), one from the Federation of Swedish Farmers (LRF), one from the Association for Swedish Pasture Culture and Outland Use (Förbundet Svensk Fäbodkultur och utmarksbruk), and four researchers from the Landpaths program: Johanna Tangnäs, who moderated the day; Tuija Hilding-Rydevik, who planned and prepared the workshop together with Johanna; Tommy Lennartsson, who contributed knowledge about multiple land use in Härjedalen’s contemporary and historical agricultural landscape; and Neil Powell, who supported the group in discussions and conversations about the future.

Recurring themes in the discussions

A summary of the desired scenarios and proposals that emerged during the day will be presented in various forms throughout the year. Some recurring themes included: a stable, long-term, and more holistic form of support that encourages and enables young people to take over; support for various forms of farming based on local conditions; and a general desire for more of the infrastructure needed for natural-grazing-based farming to thrive – such as local slaughterhouses, dairies, and someone to collect the milk. There was also a strong wish for better protection against farmland being bought up and then left unused, ungrazed, or even uninhabited.

The next step will be to summarize the proposals that came up during the day and hold a brief follow-up meeting at the end of April with all participants. The proposals and visions of the future, together with other results from the research program, will form the basis for input to responsible national authorities and for continued research.

For more information, contact Johanna Tangnäs.

Mikael Karlsson writes a column about Sweden’s landscapes

13 June 2024 /

Mikael Karlsson, leader of LANDPATHS project Transformative Governance Pathways, recently wrote a column in Miljö & Utveckling (Environment and Development), a magazine for those working with environmental and sustainability issues within Swedish business and the public sector.

In the article, Mikael writes about how the concept of landscape is used in Swedish environmental monitoring and target-setting, and how ideas of landscape should focus on the various values of stakeholders.

Mikael raises concerns that Sweden is not living up to the obligations of the European Union’s Landscape Convention, and highlights some good examples of Swedish public authorities and others who are bucking that trend.

Read the full article here (using Google Translate for an English version): https://miljo-utveckling.se/landskap-pressade-men-forbluffande-stryktaliga/

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