Introduction to forest and nature conservation chapter 3

Chapter 3

Why is defining nature so complex?

Interpretations and views change over the years and very between countries, scientific disciplines, cultures, lalalala

There is no universally accepted defenition of nature, it is framed by different cultures, social groups & individual groups;

Different groups define, interpret, make sense of similar objects or phenomenons in (very) different ways.

Two main nature discussion aspects (2)

1) Nature provides a strong legitimization (very normal in society), mostly positive

2) Relation between nature and culture in western context; human-ness diminishes natural-ness in a certain area.
> “How much human influence can be tolerated before nature stops being nature and starts becoming culture?” (= very western view, and might be changing now ;)

Anthropocene

Unofficial epoche in which humans dominate all natural and geological processes > Nothing remains untouched.

Conservation movement reasons in history

1) 19th century; romanticism (YAAA) increasing appreciation of nature and the rapid dissapearance of it due to industrialisation calls for conservation.

2) 1840s British India comservation efforts due to deforestation damage to ensure a continued timber supply for economic reasons. (Same non-ecological reasons for hunting in Africa and water supply for America…)

3) Concern for animal protection arised

4) 19th century: First natural history society in Brittain, science important role in conservation.

5) 1930s: Science, especially ecology, strong foothold in conservation.

Succession theory (Frederic Clements)

Analysis of vegetation development focussed on plant communities, rather than single species > Nature is dynamic & always in flux.

Fortress nature approach

No leisure human activities in protected areas, excluded local people from the areas they depend on for their livelyhood

Community-based conservation

Conservation including human use, local community included and contribute to decision making process.

Dutch conservation history in steps

1864: Dutch society for protection of animals

Commune “Walden” inspired by thoreau & Romanticism, living in harmony with nature > “Album der Natuur”

1896: “De levende natuur” Heimans & Thijsse > Dutch society for natural history (NNV, nu KNNV)

1901: Dutch youth society for natural history (NJN)

1905: Natuurmonumenten

first dutch nature reserve: Het Naardermeer.

View that humans influence of nature was not accepted (no managment) changed in 1930 to

To conserve species, interference is “needed” > OPINION: “All change, natural or human, should be managed so that future generations can enjoy the same qualities.”
“Against human interverntion, primary to natural processes.

Semi-natural areas, semi-natural nature

Some areas managed, others “manage themselves” essentially > Shaped Dutch nature conservation theory + practice

Why has nature conservation been mostly an elite affair in the past?

Because it’s mostly been the nobility, colonial administrators, novelists, writers, artists etc to innitiate and execute conservation.

Priorities in nature conservation (3) 1930 inspired by westhof, now also reflected by natuurmonumenten

1) Areas of natural beauty

2) Areas of scientific interest

3) Areas of historical value

Wilderness

untouched, pristine nature > national parks basis > But not true? never fully untouched; paradox; intensive managing to protect this '“wild nature”

Plan ooievaar > ruimte voor de rivier > rewilding

prioritizig areas abandoneds by agriculture

preferring regions largely depopulated due to urbanisation

promoting new locsal econ. activities aligning with rewilding objectives > attitude influence

blurring bounderies nature/culture > also critizied managament needed blablabla

nature conservation

competition of different nature frames, management vs letting go