NATURE AND PEOPLE

Conservation and management in the mountains of northern Europe

A conference to be held at Pitlochry, Scotland, 7-9 November 2002

Conference prospectus, and invitation for papers

Purpose

The main themes of this conference centre around the broad objectives of the International Year of the Mountains 2002, namely to celebrate and secure greater care of the natural qualities of the world's mountains, as well as to recognise the diverse benefits that mountains provide to both mountain and other populations. At this conference, the geographic focus is on the mountains of the north-western seaboard of the Atlantic, from Ireland to Scandinavia, and including the Atlantic nations of Iceland and the Faroes. It is a contribution to a wide programme of events being promoted by NGOs and public bodies as Scotland's contribution to IYM 2002.

The mountains of all these countries are geologically linked, either through past phases of ancient mountain building, or through more recent and contemporary volcanic activity connected with the opening of the Atlantic. For all of them the maritime influence is often not far away, indeed these mountains often directly meet the sea. Northerly latitudes bring severe climatic influences, and their fauna and flora reflect a very recent recovery from the last glaciation. Finally, the low productive capacity of this terrain provides a difficult living environment for the people of these nations, who have traded and exchanged cultural influences over more than a millennium. The links between people and their mountain environment are at the heart of the conference.

The event

The conference will be led by Scottish Natural Heritage in collaboration with the Centre for Mountain Studies of Perth College, UHI Millennium Institute (and with the support of the natural heritage agencies of some participating countries). It will be a two-day event, preceded by a day of field trips.

The conference has three key objectives:
- to develop a synthesis of the key conservation and management issues in the mountains of Northern Europe;
- to promote increased awareness of the special characteristics of these mountains;
- to foster opportunities for partnerships in the region.

The plenary sessions will develop a debate about nature and people, which begins with review of the natural heritage value of the mountains of northern Europe, and which leads onwards to consider on their value for people today and the best way forward for their care. Keynote speakers will lead most of the sessions, but papers are invited for all of them, apart from the first introductory session. Some papers will be presented in plenary, according to their fit with the purpose of the programme. Other papers accepted for the conference will be presented as posters within substantial poster sessions on the different themes of the conference. All papers accepted at the conference will be published in the conference proceedings. An International Advisory Committee, with representatives from each of the concerned countries, has been established to assist in selecting and reviewing papers submitted for consideration.

PROSPECTUS: DAY 1

Session 1 - Welcome

The first day will begin with a short formal session, providing a welcome to participants and an opening speech by a Minister of the Scottish Executive. This will be followed by an overview presentation, which will expand on the purposes of the event and set the scene in describing the broad physical, biological and social factors which give unity to the mountains of this region.

Session 2 - Nature at the edge

This session will continue to develop the theme of linkages between the different mountain settings of this region. A keynote paper will provide an overview of ecological diversity and value across the region; this will be complemented by papers which contribute to a synthesis of the value and significance of the natural resources of the region's mountains. Papers which will find a place in this part of the programme are likely to be overviews, which reflect on the state of natural resources of the region (or substantial parts of it); which identify ecological diversity and landscape value across the region; which highlight the often harsh physical constraints which limit the sustainable use of its habitats, fauna and landscapes; or which consider change to these elements arising from natural forces.

LUNCH

Session 3 - People and nature - trends and issues

This session will mainly examine the relationships between the peoples of these mountains and their diverse influences on their natural resources. A keynote speech will present an overview of the main elements of social history as they link with the use of natural resources. Papers reflecting trends in human-influenced change to habitat, or the landscapes of these regions, or on the social and economic linkages with nature will all be welcomed for this session, especially where they explore the relationship between people and the natural resources on which their livelihood and culture has depended. However, the aim is not to focus unduly on a historical approach, but to help us understand better the contemporary pressures which have led to the present state of the natural heritage, as a basis for subsequent discussion about the best ways forward for its care.

Poster session

This session will bring together presentations which are not included in the plenary sessions 2-5. Given the primary emphasis of the plenary sessions on papers which provide overviews from more than one country or mountain area, it will particularly provide an opportunity for those who wish to present papers with a more specific geographical or thematic focus. The poster session will provide adequate opportunities for the authors of presented papers to discuss their work with other participants, and will be combined with a reception. Posters will remain on display throughout the conference.

PROSPECTUS: DAY 2

Session 4 - Nature and people - systems of management and ownership

The broad theme of this session is to consider the management systems in the mountain areas of the region, including the traditional uses of agriculture, hunting and woodland management alongside the newer uses for enjoyment of open-air recreation, and the exploitation of natural resources for new purposes, such as the growing demand for renewable energy production. Central to this session will be debate about ownership patterns and the integration of uses, and about a better understanding of the sustainable capacity of these areas for the older and also the new land uses, as well as their links with present-day mountain economies. Papers for this session should make a contribution to our understanding of the linkages between land management and/or ownership systems, or analyse the social issues which arise through changing land use patterns, or identify the limits of change or new ways of caring for natural heritage values, while pursuing a sustainable approach to the use of these resources.

LUNCH

Session 5 - Nature and people in balance

The aim of this final session is to strengthen the policy linkages between the value of the natural resources of the region's mountains and their social and economic viability. Papers in this session should have a strong policy content, and help illuminate the macro-economics of the land use options; share policy experience regarding the role of the environment in the social and economic well-being of mountain communities; or help us understand better how wider political systems can contribute to the social and conservation agendas in these areas. A final speaker will reflect on some of the key lessons arising from the two days of presentations and debate.

Organisation

The conference will be organised through the Centre for Mountain Studies, conference organiser Andy Macpherson, at Perth College, an academic partner of the UHI Millennium Institute. The conference programme will be organised through a local Steering Committee led by Scottish Natural Heritage and the Centre for Mountain Studies, with the support of the International Advisory Committee, including members from all the involved countries. Close linkage will be maintained through the main Government Agencies responsible for conservation of nature and landscape in advising on the final form of the programme.

Papers are invited on any of the themes set out in the prospectus above, and abstracts of no more than 250 words should be with the conference organisers by 15 March 2002. After review by the International Advisory Committee, potential contributors will be advised regarding the selection of papers. Preliminary contact from intending contributors will be welcomed. Further details on the event itself will be available from the organiser, Andrew Macpherson.