Photo by Josef Kaiser.
By Josef Kaiser, Thomas Hahn, Tobias Krueger, and Dagmar Haase.
Conservation payments are becoming increasingly popular tools for addressing conflicts between humans and wildlife. In Sweden, Sámi communities engaged in reindeer husbandry receive compensation payments for reindeer losses caused by lynxes and wolverines. This study scrutinizes the complexities and effectiveness of these conservation performance payments.
Through in-depth interviews with stakeholders and a review of existing literature, we uncovered challenges and conflicts. Direct conflicts center around uncertainties regarding predator populations and their impact on reindeer herds, insufficient compensation for losses, and regulatory issues concerning predator management. Indirect conflicts stem from broader issues such as the adverse effects of forestry and mining on reindeer habitats, inadequate environmental policies, and a perceived lack of recognition for the cultural significance of reindeer herding.
To reduce uncertainty-related conflicts, payment levels could be updated considering current predator losses, and an “uncertainty surcharge” for imprecise data could be added. Furthermore, it seems to be beneficial for the program legitimacy to empower local decision-making, especially among herders.
However, our findings also suggest that the challenges related to uncertainties in predator populations and reindeer losses stand for deeper-rooted conflicts. These conflicts pose significant obstacles to the successful implementation of the program.
Despite these hurdles, all participants expressed appreciation for the fundamental concept of the program and its potential benefits. However, realizing this potential necessitates the acknowledgment of the complexities inherent in human-wildlife conflicts and a concerted effort to address underlying ecological and socio-cultural issues through the development of comprehensive, collaborative, and inclusive conservation policies.
Relational Thinking 