Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to investigate communication, values and interests among users in the Skrylle forest. The hypothesis is that lack of communication between different groups in the Skrylle forest lead to conflicts between stakeholders. Different interest groups get in conflict because of lack of mutual understanding caused by insufficient communication. Qualitative semi structured interviews with users, landowners, managers and officials were carried out in the Skrylle forest. The study indicates similar views about many issues but differences are found as well. Divergent opinions are told about forest value, new user groups and use of the forest. It can be difficult to reach mutual understanding for these differences in views, without an improved communication process. Tendencies to differences in the degree of power and influence between groups are found. High interests in the area do not seem to secure a high level of influence. Most persons interviewed think that communication in the area need to be improved and they would like to have a meeting place where they can tell their opinion. Some of the groups cooperate and communicate with decision makers more than other groups and this can result in an unbalanced situation where the debates do not show the viewpoint of the majority. Public participation can be used to improve the current situation and to prevent future problems. Methods for public participation can be used as a way to give some groups more power and to gain insight in others interests. Combined methods for public participation can be used to reach different kind of users.