title: Payments for Improved Ecostructure (PIE): Funding for the Coexistence of Humans and Wolves in Finland.
abstract: The gray wolf (Canis lupus) is a source of concern and a cause of damage to people's livelihoods. In Finland, as in most countries, actual damages are compensated according to the real lost value. However, often, the suffered damages are larger than what is compensated, and worries and fears are not accounted for at all. The purpose of our transdisciplinary action research is to contribute to the process of modifying the scientific, administrative, and everyday habits of mind in order to meet the practical prerequisites of living with the wolf. In 2014, we planned and participated in a process designed to update Finland's wolf population management plan. During our study, we applied e-deliberation, conducted a national wolf survey, and organized solution-oriented workshops in wolf territory areas around Finland. By applying abductive reasoning, we illustrate the basic features of an economic scheme that would help finance and coordinate practical modifications to the ecological, economic, and institutional circumstances and settings in wolf territory areas. The potential economic instrument is based on payments for improved ecostructures. In our paper, we describe the organization, functioning, and financing of this instrument in detail.
authors.affiliation: Natural Resources Institute Finland, Itäinen Pitkäkatu 3, 20520, Turku, Finland. juha.hiedanpaa@luke.fi.
authors.forename: Juha
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hiedanpää
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Turku, 20014, Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kalliolevo
authors.affiliation: Natural Resources Institute Finland, Itäinen Pitkäkatu 3, 20520, Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Matti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salo
authors.affiliation: Natural Resources Institute Finland, Viikinkaari 4, 00790, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Jani
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pellikka
authors.affiliation: Finnish Wildlife Agency, Vapaudenkatu 32-34 B22, 60100, Seinäjoki, Finland.
authors.forename: Mikael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Luoma
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000191:economics*; D017753:Ecosystem; D005387:Finland; D006802:Human Activities; D006801:Humans; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011235:Predatory Behavior; D011639:Public Opinion; D019596:Wolves / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Compensation; Damage; Ecostructure; Gray wolf (Canis lupus); Habits; Instrument design