Navigating conflict in Landscape transitions:The impact of large grazers on nature-based recreation & local communities

In the realm of biological conservation, there has been extensive discourse on the most effective methods for protecting, conserving, and restoring biodiversity. Ecosystem management using year-round large grazers has garnered significant international attention in recent years as an effective strategy for nature and biodiversity conservation, demonstrating benefits for a wide range of species through the maintenance of habitat structure. In Denmark, the implementation of large grazers, including domestic cattle and ponies, in conservation projects has seen a substantial increase. These animals have become integral to the landscape, serving as focal points for both large-scale national strategies and smaller local projects. The fundamental principle of this approach is to allow the animals to be situated on the site year-round. However, increasing the presence of large herbivores in the landscape has led to debates about whether this alienates people, such as nature-based recreational users and local communities, from the landscape. This study investigates local communities and stakeholders’ perspectives on the landscape changes and how it impacts their local use of the areas. Results indicate that case-specific insights, context, and engagement approaches are important drivers/barriers to people’s acceptance levels of changing landscapes