Langue Durée of More-than-Human-Sociality of Gorski Kotar Forests and Contemporary Environmental Challenges

The article analyzes contemporary environmental challenges in the forests of Gorski Kotar through the prism of more-than-human sociality. It delves into the impact of human forest management dating back to the 19th century which initiated a complex series of adaptations of plants and insects to new circumstances. This has led to contemporary environmental issues, such as the fir moth infestation and the correlated damage from ice storms. The sociality of Gorski Kotar forests is approached from the perspective of dynamic relationships between species that create a forest meshwork of social relationships, including the fir moth, beech, fir, and humans. This perspective also includes nature's response to changes in environmental conditions (climate change), and a critical description of human activities because they frame the subject of research (forest management). The text shows that certain forest disasters, such as an infestation of the fir moth (including the correlated damage from ice storms), occur as a result of a complex set of interconnected relationships between several species that were initiated several centuries ago. The text also asserts that if humans wish to remain a part of the vital forest ecosystem, they must align their interests and techniques with other forest inhabitants and start to consider the ecological, economic, and symbolic values of the forest with equal importance.