Individuals and Multilevel Management: A Study of the Perceived Adaptive Capacity of the Goose Management System among Farmers in Sweden

Agricultural damage by geese is a growing problem in Europe and farmers play a key role in the emerging multilevel adaptive management system. This study explored how characteristics associated with the farmer and the farm, along with experience of damage, cognitive appraisals, emotions, and management beliefs were associated with the perceived adaptive capacity of the goose management system among farmers in the south of Sweden (n = 1,067). Survey results revealed that owning a larger farm, a farm closer to water or formally protected areas, along with cultivating cereal and root crops, were associated with geese evoking stronger negative emotions. Further, more previous experience of damage was related to stronger negative emotions and lower levels of perceived adaptive capacity. However, even more important determinants of perceived adaptive capacity were cognitive appraisals, emotions, and management beliefs. Bridging the ties between individual farmers and the system is important for improved multilevel management.

Automated summary

Agricultural damage caused by geese is a growing problem in Europe, where farmers play a key role in the emerging multilevel adaptive management system. This study explored how various characteristics, experiences, cognitive appraisals, emotions, and management beliefs of farmers were associated with the perceived adaptive capacity of the goose management system in southern Sweden. Farm size, proximity to water or protected areas, and crop types were found to influence farmers' emotions towards geese, while cognitive appraisals, emotions, and management beliefs were the most important determinants of perceived adaptive capacity. Bridging ties between individual farmers and the system is crucial for improved multilevel management.