Wolf conflicts: Optimizing socio-ecological sustainability in large carnivore management

Despite attempts to include affected stakeholders in large carnivore management, and in spite of the ambition to reduce conflict and increase acceptance for the species, large carnivore presence continues to be controversial for many people who live and work in areas with high large carnivore populations.

In more closely studying large carnivore management in three Swedish counties, each with diverse geographies and histories of large carnivore presence, this project aims to generate knowledge about what contributes to an ecologically and socially sustainable large carnivore management.

The theoretical perspective is inspired by research on collaborative governance methods and environmental communication.

The research project uses a mixed method approach for data collection, which includes a content analysis of large carnivore policy and management plans, and interviews.

The main methodology is an ethnographic approach to closely study practices within management through participant observations.

The research results will be published as a doctoral dissertation in Environmental Social Science and as individual and multiple authored scientific articles. The project will also be completed in dialogue with stakeholders through workshops in the three counties.