LAND: Cultural landscapes, agricultural activity and Arctic goose populations; a possible combination?

In the present project we use an interdisciplinary approach to study processes in a conflict system linked to the cultural landscapes along the coast of Norway. Due to increasing goose populations in Europe, conflicts between farmers and geese foraging in the agricultural landscapes have intensified. Finding optimal solutions for these conflicts is a challenge for the authorities. Based on a cumulative body of knowledge from a previous integrated project, we will in the present project develop innovative solution models providing guidelines for the long-term management and conservation of resources, based on existing knowledge from previous projects. Although the intention is to support local resolutions, the models will be applicable for corresponding sy stems, hence giving the project a general and broad perspective. In the project we will compare the vulnerability of agriculture to goose grazing in two spring staging sites for geese, with an integrated focus on differences in farming and cultural landsc apes. Furthermore we will evaluate the attitudes to the problems of geese grazing among farmers, administrators and wildlife managers and measure and predict ecological responses in Arctic goose populations to perturbations and management schemes in the c ultural landscape. Finally we will merge the findings in innovative solution models balancing the various interests from involved parts in order to develop an inter-disciplinary foundation for a cost-effective and integrated solution to management.