Accommodation of biodiversity in Swedish municipalities. A national representative survey

Abstract Habitat networks for biodiversity are increasingly degraded and fragmented across both rural and urban landscapes. This study investigates how Swedish municipalities govern and manage landscapes to accommodate biodiversity, with particular attention to the promotion of ‘wilder landscapes’. Drawing on a national survey with responses from 70% of all municipalities, we analyze how biodiversity initiatives are prioritized, organized, and implemented within local governments, and how external stakeholders are engaged in these efforts.We focus on the role of public landscape managers and examine how their conceptualizations of nature influence biodiversity-oriented practices. The survey reveals a strong interest in biodiversity accommodation, reflected in a wide range of strategies and concrete actions. However, organizational constraints, limited political support, and funding shortages often result in fragmented and ad hoc approaches. Competing agendas—especially those emphasizing multifunctional green spaces—may shape future directions in municipal landscape management.We discuss the implications of governance structures, managerial perspectives, and institutional frameworks for biodiversity accommodation, and offer projections for future municipal biodiversity strategies in Sweden.