Publications
Assessing the epistemic dimension of people–place relationships for inclusive ecosystem governance
A strong connection between people's knowledge and their emotional bonds to place, termed 'epistemic bonding,' significantly influences perceptions of ecosystem governance. This study found that higher epistemic bonding correlates with long-term residency, family history in the area, and a more negative stance towards official nature protection in Finland. By analyzing survey data from 306 residents of the High Coast/Kvarken Archipelago UNESCO World Heritage Site, researchers demonstrated that epistemic bonding is closely tied to place dependence and identity. This concept highlights how diverse ways of knowing shape responses to environmental decision-making, emphasizing the need for inclusive governance that recognizes multiple forms of knowledge.
Place‐embedded agency: Exploring knowledge–place connections for enabling plurality in governance of social–ecological systems
Research on the High Coast/Kvarken Archipelago UNESCO World Heritage Site reveals that integrating local knowledge and place-belonging can enhance inclusive governance of social-ecological systems. The study identifies five types of knowledge-place connections, which shape diverse positions on resource management. These connections influence interactions between actors inside and outside formal decision-making processes, highlighting the concept of 'place-embedded agency.' Recognizing this agency can help overcome tensions and promote plurality in governance, fostering more inclusive and effective management strategies.
Animated visualization of post-glacial land uplift and shore displacement from modeled paleotopographic reconstructions
A high-quality, automated animation of post-glacial land uplift and shore displacement has been developed for the High Coast/Kvarken Archipelago UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering a dynamic visualization of these geodynamic processes from 10,500 years ago to 1000 years in the future. The 4K-resolution, 80-second animation, rendered at 40 fps, simplifies paleotopographic reconstructions while maintaining alignment with geological data. This approach provides an innovative tool for communicating complex geodynamic phenomena, contributing to cartographic representation and educational outreach.
Past and Future Sea Level Changes and Land Uplift in the Baltic Sea Seen by Geodetic Observations
In the UNESCO-listed High Coast/Kvarken Archipelago, land uplift reaches up to 10 mm per year, with the terrain rising approximately 80 cm over the past century. This dynamic process, driven by post-glacial rebound, is counterbalancing sea level rise, which future projections suggest could vary significantly—from a potential 75 cm of relative sea level fall (land emergence) to 30 cm of rise by 2100. The study leverages continuous GNSS time series, absolute gravity measurements, and tide gauge data to quantify current uplift rates and probabilistic scenarios for future changes, providing critical insights for understanding geodynamic processes in the Baltic Sea region.
Making post-glacial uplift visible: A model based high-resolution animation of shore displacement
A groundbreaking high-resolution animation reveals the dynamic nature of post-glacial uplift and shore displacement in the High Coast/Kvarken Archipelago UNESCO World Heritage site, where land rises at rates exceeding 8 mm per year. The study employed a mathematical model to transform digital elevation models (DEMs) over ~9300 years, integrating LiDAR-derived DEMs from Finland and Sweden with bathymetric data of the Gulf of Bothnia. By leveraging geophysical uplift rate surfaces and ancient shoreline observations, researchers derived an exponential model that accurately describes the non-linear correlation between elapsed time and land uplift. The animation, rendered at 4K resolution with a five-year interval between frames, provides a visually intuitive representation of this decelerating phenomenon, highlighting regional differences in post-glacial history. While future improvements may include removing post-glacially developed features like rivers, the current model offers unprecedented continuity and clarity in visualizing shore displacement.
Solving landscape-related conflicts through transnational learning? The case of transboundary Nordic World Heritage sites
Transnational learning (TNL) can mitigate democratic participation gaps in early stages of UNESCO World Heritage (WH) nomination processes, offering a model for resolving landscape-related conflicts. This study examines the WH sites Laponia and High Coast/Kvarken Archipelago, revealing how TNL facilitates cross-border cooperation among stakeholders despite cultural and legal constraints. The research employs comparative methods and governance theories to analyze challenges in local democratic participation during national and transnational decision-making. It highlights the Nordic tradition of TNL as a tool for incorporating diverse stakeholders into WH governance, demonstrating its potential to bridge gaps between local communities and international conservation efforts.
World Heritage, Tourism and Community Involvement: A Comparative Study of the High Coast (Sweden) and Kvarken Archipelago (Finland)
Local communities in the High Coast (Sweden) and Kvarken Archipelago (Finland), both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, exhibit predominantly positive attitudes toward tourism development but demonstrate limited understanding of the UNESCO World Heritage concept. While residents in the High Coast region are generally more supportive of increased tourism compared to their counterparts in Kvarken, Finnish authorities show a stronger inclination to leverage World Heritage status for economic benefits than Swedish authorities. The study, based on empirical attitude surveys and focus group interviews, reveals that World Heritage designation alone does not drive regional tourism development but rather fits into broader destination-building efforts. However, collaboration between communities and authorities remains limited and often conflict-laden, suggesting that improved cooperation could enhance the positive image of these sites while supporting sustainable tourism growth.
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