Are the communal forest owners involved in the management of their lands? A qualitative analysis for the case of Galicia (Spain)

Abstract

Society's participation in decisions regarding land planning and management is essential to reach viable and long-lasting solutions in forest management. We analyzed the participation of communal land owners to better understand their attitudes towards the management of this property. Glaser and Strauss' Grounded Theory (1967) was used to build knowledge on the management of the property that starts in this study through the interpretation of data from personal interviews conducted in a participation process. We chose a sample of neighboring communities to conduct interviews according to the interest shown in the public participation process of a Forest Plan in a mountain area in the Autonomous Community of Galicia in northwest Spain. The communities were classified into i) very active, ii) active and iii) passive, according to their management level and geographical representation. We discovered the most active communities have more dynamic management due to their multifunctional perspective of communal forests. Regarding passive communities, their lack of interest in management is largely to recognizing a conflicted identity of the property due to physical and administrative problems.