LAND:Towards a new framework for the management of both cultural and natural heritage in upland Landscape Conservation Areas (LCA) in Norway

The inherent dynamism of upland landscapes challenges scientists and land managers to secure the right balance of conservation and management measures against a backdrop of complex and changing socio-economic drivers, and a rapidly evolving evidence base. This interdisciplinary project will develop an evidence-based framework to underpin the sustainable management of both cultural and natural heritage in Norwegian upland landscape conservation areas (LCAs). The project is organised into four interrelated work packages, each with specific sub-objectives: (WP1) Examine the long-term natural and cultural variability in cultural landscape conservation areas in four upland regions in Norway at both small scale (WP1a) and large scale (WP1b). A crucial task assi gned WP1 is to identify major driving forces underpinning landscape dynamics, and cultural and natural conservation objectives inherent at each time stage. (WP2a) Examine the stakeholder perspectives involved in the management of upland landscapes and (WP 2b) examine the evidence basis for the management of LCA; (WP3) Examine the valuation of cultural and natural heritage in relation to land use history and conservation philosophies in an international perspective by a comparative study of regions in UK an d Norway. (WP4) Develop new guidelines for the management and conservation of these dynamic landscapes based on WP1-3. By this approach, our project will provide new research-based knowledge to promote sustainable use and management of both cultural herit age and landscape which is defined as the main aim in Miljø2015 (Land).