Why Active Management Matters in a Changing World

Rob Beeson
4 days ago
3 min read

In the world of conservation, we often look to our neighbours for insight. A comprehensive new analysis from Norway, Wildlife Management in the Anthropocene, offers a fresh perspective on the challenges we face in managing our landscapes.

Written by Professors Scott Michael Brainerd and Torstein Storaas, the paper explores how humans have become the dominant force in nature - and why "leaving nature alone" is no longer a viable option for sustaining the wildlife we cherish.

Here is a summary of their findings and what they mean for those of us dedicated to moorland stewardship.

The Age of Humans

The authors argue that we are living in the "Anthropocene" - the Age of Humans. The idea that nature is in a perfect, self-regulating balance is a myth. Today, human activity drives the major changes in our environment.

Because we have altered the landscape so significantly, we cannot simply step back. We are now the "apex predators" and the stewards. The survival of wildlife depends entirely on human decisions and management.

For moorland managers, this reinforces a core truth: maintaining our unique heather moorland and its biodiversity requires active, skilled intervention, not passivity.

The Predator Paradox

One of the most relevant findings for our members concerns the balance between predator and prey. The paper highlights a stark trend in Scandinavia: while populations of large animals (like moose and deer) have exploded, small game populations (like grouse and hares) have declined significantly over the last century.

Why the decline? The authors point to increased predation as a primary driver. As generalist predators like red foxes and pine martens have increased - often benefiting from human infrastructure - they have suppressed ground-nesting bird populations.

Research cited in the paper shows that the density of predator tracks in winter is the best explanation for nest predation rates. This supports the long-held rural view that managing generalist predators is essential for the conservation of vulnerable ground-nesting birds, including our own red grouse, curlew, and lapwing.

The Urban-Rural Divide

The paper touches on a frustration familiar to many in the British countryside: the disconnect between urban policy-making and rural reality.

The authors note that while hunting and land management are traditional parts of rural culture, these activities are increasingly regulated by an urban majority with little connection to the land.

In Norway, as in the UK, highly educated urban populations often support strict protectionism, while rural communities - who actually live with the wildlife - favour practical management. The paper warns that conservation conflicts are no longer just between people and wildlife, but between different groups of people with different values.

Hunting as Conservation

Crucially, the paper defends the role of the hunter and manager. It defines wildlife management as an "art" combined with science - a practical skill used to achieve specific goals.

Far from being destructive, sustainable harvesting creates advocates for nature. The authors argue that people who harvest from nature view themselves as part of it, fostering a deep sense of stewardship.

This aligns perfectly with the moorland philosophy: those who work the land are often those most invested in its long-term health.

Conclusion

The takeaway from our Norwegian colleagues is clear. We cannot turn back the clock to a time before human influence. "Rewilding" in the sense of abandoning management often leads to the loss of vulnerable species and the overgrowth of cherished landscapes.

True conservation in the 21st century requires active choices. It requires accepting our role as stewards who must manage vegetation, control predators, and harvest sustainably to maintain the biodiversity we value.