Adaptive capacity: creating conditions to buffer change, learn and develop

In 2012 Sweden implemented a new ecosystem based management for moose. This was guided by the awareness that adaptive co-management can help to reduce conflicts among stakeholders, foster systematic learning and handle... [ view full abstract ]

In 2012 Sweden implemented a new ecosystem based management for moose. This was guided by the awareness that adaptive co-management can help to reduce conflicts among stakeholders, foster systematic learning and handle complexity. However previous research has highlighted that there are no blue-print approaches to the governance and management of natural resources. Diverse multi-use landscapes, ever changing wildlife populations and other external stressors (e.g. wildlife diseases) can create new challenges for existing institutions. Therefore adaptive capacity is needed which allows the system and involved actors to react successfully to social-ecological changes and to learn and develop even in times of no eminent change or risk. This study aims to understand which factors foster the adaptive capacity of the system and the involved actors in Swedish moose management. So far adaptive capacity and its dimensions have rarely been studied via a psychometric approach; therefore our study will also contribute to a general methodological development of the field. In April 2016 a web-based survey was administered to all moose management groups, which consist of three hunter representatives and three landowner representatives (n=765, response rate=81%). Using structural equation modelling the relative contribution of governance dimensions (i.e. fairness and legitimacy), social capital (i.e. trust and collaboration), human and physical capital (knowledge and infrastructure) as well as individual traits on moose manager’s perceived adaptive capacity are quantified.