Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The concept Closer-to-Nature in forestry is increasingly acknowledged in the forestry-debates in Europe and in Sweden. The concept is one of many that has evolved through the challenges of our time, where climate change and biodiversity crisis are at our doorstep.

In Europe and in Sweden there is an ongoing process taking place that involves developing a definition of the concept Closer-to-Nature, while on the same time the concept is ambiguous, and actors are struggling to fill the concept with different meanings. Drawing on Hajer´s argumentative approach, this thesis aims to understand and illustrate how meaning is ascribed to Closer-to-Nature forestry and how that meaning (re)produces certain forest practices, as well as how storylines that are expressed in the debate about Closer-to-Nature in Sweden are mobilizing different actors. The study shows that Closer-to-Nature is filled with meaning through already existing practices and knowledge in Sweden, and what is emphasized in the debate is the power of decision-making by referring to who has the right to make decisions, who should be involved and on what level should decisions be taken, rather than the concept as such.