Emma Kvastegård

Partnerships implementing ecosystem-based moose management in Sweden

Sweden is undergoing an extensive transformation from single species management towards ecosystem-based management. This study analyses the implementation of the new moose management system, focusing on the newly formed partnerships at ecosystem level (the moose management areas) and their potential to ease conflicts between participants and develop into sustainable collaborations that enable ecosystem-based management. Empirical evidence was obtained from semi-structured interviews with involved actors (hunters, landowners, wildlife managers and forest consultants) in five Swedish counties. Several challenges, based on the participants’ abilities, willingness and understanding needed to implement the new management system, were identified. Lack of funding, unclear roles and responsibilities appear to be the most serious issues. If these are not properly solved, then they have the potential to hamper and aggravate the implementation of the new management system, that is, the ecosystem-based management, as well as the partnership arrangement.

Describing Human–Wildlife Interaction from a European Perspective

ABSTRACT European researchers from both the natural and social sciences show growing interest in studying interactions between society and wildlife. A wealth of theoretical frameworks, concepts, and methods are used, but an integration of perspectives is lacking. This research note summarizes results from two workshops that included 63 delegates from 25 European countries, as well as a follow-up survey of 41 respondents. Two main theoretical approaches to the study of human–wildlife interactions were identified. One approach focuses on the collective societal level relying on theories of governance, social representation, deliberative procedures, and commons theory. The other approach targets individuals or groups, and is based on theories such as the cognitive hierarchy, theory of reasoned action, and theory of planned behavior. Interdisciplinary collaboration is needed to identify the best options for wildlife conservation and management in a more politically integrated Europe.

Differences in the predatory behaviour of male and female ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae)

We investigated the response of males and females of ladybirds to different densities of aphids. This was studied using Coccinella septempunctataas the predator and Rhopalosiphum padi as the prey. Interactions between this ladybird and prey were observed on barley(Hordeum vulgare). We established aphid colonies on barley at three different densities, 16, 32 and 84 aphids per pot. Adult ladybirdsplaced in these colonies were then observed for 10 minutes or until they flew away. We hypothesized that females should consume moreaphids than males per unit time. The results of this experiment revealed that the risk of aphid mortality per plant depended on the sex ofthe ladybird beetle. Female ladybirds consumed significantly more aphids than males per unit time. In addition the turning rate and timespent resting differed between the sexes.