Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Restoration of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) is needed due to ash dieback which is a disease caused by the introduced fungal pathogen Hymenoschyphus fraxineus. The fungus was first documented in Sweden in the 2000s and has led to a large decline of the population of European ash whereby it is now considered an endangered species in Sweden. To ensure that ash will have a future in Swedish forests, breeding for resistance and restoration efforts are needed. Surveys across Sweden have been conducted to find resistant material and some screening trials have been initiated. To understand what Swedish forest stakeholders think about the restoration of ash, interviews were conducted with eleven forest informants. Selection of these eleven informants were made by strategically selecting actors with experience in ash management and those who could provide valuable insights, leading to the selected actors being forest educated. The aim of interviewing the informants was to understand their perceptions, attitudes and willingness to restore ash based on the current challenges and opportunities for future restoration efforts. Results from the interviews showed that the primary concern with ash restoration was the lack of resistant material, both in terms of certainty on the degree of resistance. The interviewed informants expressed a high level of willingness to participate in ash restoration. Attitudes expressed by the informants on ash restoration were focused on the cultural and ecological perspectives rather than the possible economic gains received from ash restoration. Furthermore, some informants indicated that the restoration efforts could be most beneficial in areas with higher natural values. The future of ash restoration in Sweden will heavily depend on the cooperation of science and society. Including further research into the topic of societal interest, as well as communication of strategies to restore ash in the wider Swedish landscape.