| dc.description.abstract | Due to growing human influence on the natural landscape, either through fragmentation, or
human interference, the pressure on shared natural areas is increasing. Recreational
purposes meet the habitats of wildlife, and potential conflict arises. Rewilding is an approach
for enhancing the environmental quality, and this can, for example, be done through the
reintroduction of large grazers. Even though the large grazers successfully roam the forests
and maintain the landscape, they are not wild. They have been domesticated by humans;
their historic ancestors have become extinct. The legal status forces nature managers to
comply with monitoring and medical obligations. Wildness is one approach through which
this process can be analysed. There is, however, no clear definition of the concept of
wildness. This research constructs a framework in which three complementing pillars
(de-domestication, ethics, and nature experience) contribute to an understanding of
wildness. Encounters with nature shape our perceptions of nature, together with our
residential orientation, as well as our role or function within the field. Urban oriented people
experience nature differently from those with a rural identity; nature managers aim for
biodiversity and natural dynamics, whereas the visitor has a recreational purpose to be in the
field. The case study of the Veluwe looked specifically into the perception of wildness in one
of the largest natural areas of the Netherlands. The wildlife management approach in this
area is known for its dynamic character; the size of the area allows the large grazes to be
practically wild. In order to better understand the perception of wildness, semi-structured
interviews with experts and stakeholders formed the foundation of a framework on wildness.
Nine different themes were identified that could substantiate the three pillars obtained from
the literature. The survey among the visiting public was designed based on these themes.
Statistical analyses on the survey have shown that the pillars have no significant internal
consistency, although certain clusters of visitors could be formed. Also, no significant
difference between different residential orientations have been established. The perception
of wildness does, however, allow for wildlife managers to enhance the behaviour of the
visitor targeted by specific communications. | |
