FROM HEATH TO FOREST - LAND-USE TRANSFORMATION IN HALLAND, SWEDEN

An interdisciplinary perspective on the 19th and 20th century landscap e tranformation from heathland to woodland in Halland, southern Sweden , is presented. The physical conditions and actions behind this drasti c change in land use, emphasize the need for studies which combine cau sal connections with human intentions. The reafforesters in Halland ca n be seen as representatives of the early nature conservationist movem ent that was guided by a perception focused on production which aimed to conserve for man. They reconstructed what was once extensive forest . However, new forests in Halland are coniferous and not deciduous as they once were. What is considered natural and what unnatural is a mat ter of human values, but the precise values associated with nature's l andscape are not apparent. Following the historical flow of ideas it i s possible to reveal when and why the idea of reafforestation was born and how it gained force as a movement across the County of Halland. T oday, we experience distrust and disputes between foresters and conser vationists, and nature conservationists are often guided by a philosop hical perception of nature, wishing to conserve from man.