Unlocking a transition to alternative forest management in intensive management contexts: Stakeholder perceptions of constraints and opportunities in Sweden

Forests are increasingly recognized as providing key nature-based solutions for societal challenges related to climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable development. This is driving a shift towards greater consideration of alternative forest management (AFM) approaches that promote ecological integrity and social values alongside economic viability. This study investigates constraints and opportunities influencing the adoption of AFM practices in contexts dominated by intensive management. Using a case study of Sweden, we conducted a literature review and a workshop with 53 expert participants to identify 26 topic clusters related to the transition from intensive management to AFM. Key findings reveal that knowledge gaps, socio-cultural norms, and institutional support are perceived as the most significant factors affecting AFM adoption. Participants highlighted conservative traditions and inadequate advisory services as major constraints, while increasing interest among forest owners and potential regulatory support from the European Union were recognized as opportunities for change. Notably, economic and biophysical factors were ranked as less important than socio-cultural, institutional, and knowledge/technology themes. The results indicate that AFM has not yet gained sufficient traction in Sweden to challenge intensive practices, suggesting that incremental change is the most likely outcome in the short term. However, growing public awareness of the limitations of intensive management, societal demands for sustainability, and changes in ownership demographics may catalyse more substantial changes. These opportunities have received less attention in the reviewed literature and the findings therefore emphasize the need for enhanced knowledge dissemination, collaborative networks, and supportive policy and economic instruments to facilitate uptake of AFM. The Swedish case also offers insights for international efforts to support a transition away from intensive forest management.