Thesis Defense: Pride and prejudice and forestry. Perceptions of afforestation in Icelandic communities

In the coming weeks, UW master's students will defend their theses. The subjects are varied and the students are from both master's programs, Coastal Marine Management and Coastal Communities and Regional Development. The defenses are accessible to everyone through zoom links but they are also open to the public, at the University Centre of the Westfjords in Ísafjörður.

Wednesday at 10:00 April 17th

Student: Laurent Trottier
Thesis title: Pride and prejudice and forestry: Perceptions of afforestation in Icelandic communities
Program: Coastal Communities and Regional Development
Abstract: In a globally changing climate, more and more solutions are implemented to counteract the adverse effects of rising temperatures and environmental degradation. Iceland is no different, with an increase in afforestation projects resulting in a growth of forested areas from 1% to 2% in the last years. The increase in afforestation projects has broughtconsequences both positive and negative on aspects related to these projects. While literature has examined, to a various extent, many sides to afforestation and indeed, forestry in Iceland, studies pertaining to the social impacts of forestry in Iceland are left too little explored. In that sense, this thesis examines the perceptions of individuals, both from local communities in the north and east of Iceland, and in various professional fields related to forestry and environmental management. It furthermore ponders on how these perceptions impact the development of afforestation projects in Iceland and what is the potential of afforestation as a development tool in Icelandic coastal communities. Interviews conducted revealed various perceptions of afforestation and forestry in Iceland, ranging from emotionally charged responses to various degrees of attachment to the Icelandic landscape. These responses are intertwined with the notions of sheep grazing, carbon sequestration forestry and invasive flora species. Concepts of conflict, social acceptability and social license are explored related to these fields, with the introduction of various salient archetypical projects in a good practice perspective. With a prospective growth of various types of forestry practices in Iceland, such as carbon sequestration and landscape restoration, the consideration of various stakeholders, both local and professional, is essential for further collaborative and transparent development of such afforestation projects.

Defense schedule for this defense season: