People’s outdoor behavior and norm based on the Right of Public Access: a questionnaire survey in Sweden

Forests in Sweden, as well as natural sites in other Northern European countries, are the center of various outdoor activities, such as picking berries and mushrooms. These activities are supported by the Right of Public Access. However, outdoor activities based on this right potentially cause overuse and free-rider problems and conflict between landowners and visitors. Previous studies have not explained how Swedish people maintain their tradition of outdoor activities. This study aimed to clarify people’s outdoor activities supported by the Right of Public Access. We conducted an on-site questionnaire survey with a special focus on picking berries and mushrooms. We found that the conflict between landowners and visitors related to picking was low and that the pickers have a strong awareness of the need to avoid conflict. Such behaviors and norms were found to have originated largely from family activities since early childhood. Therefore, for sustaining public access to nature, the picking practice configures an important opportunity for the succession of informal knowledge and formal education.

瑞典森林及其他北欧国家的自然场地，是各类户外活动（如浆果与蘑菇采摘）的核心开展区域。此类活动依托公共探访权（Right of Public Access）得以开展。然而，基于该权利的户外活动可能引发过度使用、搭便车问题，以及土地所有者与访客之间的冲突。既往研究尚未阐明瑞典民众如何维系其户外活动传统。本研究旨在阐明依托公共探访权开展的民众户外活动情况，为此我们开展了一项以浆果与蘑菇采摘为重点的实地问卷调查。研究发现，与采摘相关的土地所有者与访客间冲突程度较低，且采摘者普遍具备较强的规避冲突意识。此类行为与规范在很大程度上源自个体幼年时期的家庭活动。因此，为维系公众的自然探访权益，采摘活动成为传承非正式知识与开展正规教育的重要契机。