A social-ecological approach to local forest conflict analysis and shaping

Against the backdrop of the climate crisis, forest conflicts are intensifying in Germany. For this reason, it is time to reopen the scientific debate on how we research and manage forest conflicts. In this commentary, we argue that a social-ecological approach takes into account the interactions and interdependencies between social and physical structures and processes of forest conflicts. Consequently, the approach helps to analyse and shape these conflicts.

A social-ecological approach facilitates the consideration of the physical, social, cultural, political and economic aspects of the forest conflicts as well as the dynamics and contexts of different conflicts. It contributes to analysing the site-specific conditions, parameters and dynamics of local forest conflicts. Four shaping dimensions (knowledge, practices, technologies, institutions) can help to relate the conflicts more precisely to the social-ecological system. Against this background, in particular the social context of the conflicts can be analysed in detail.

In turn, a social-ecological approach to conflict management opens up the possibility of initiating change in social and physical interactions and interdependencies. The concept of conflict transformation can complement the social-ecological approach in an action-oriented way, both by contributing to social learning among the conflict actors and by generating ways of dealing with the particular forest that are adapted to new challenges.