Wolves are Mobile, While Fruit Trees are not! How Characteristics of Resources and Supranational Regulatory Frameworks Shape the Provision of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Germany

This paper scrutinizes determinants of regional‐level institutions regulating the provision of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Two cases of maintaining ecosystem services, provided by quite different resource systems, are compared: the protection of wolves and the management of a high nature value agroforestry system, scattered fruit tree meadows. Taking an abductive approach, we suggest that the distinct characteristics of resources – in particular the mobility of resource units – and differences in the overarching European regulatory framework – the obligation to protect wolves versus voluntary compensation payments to maintain scattered fruit tree meadows – largely explain the existing institutional structures at regional level. Cost‐effectiveness considerations concerning the transaction costs of governance seem to act as determinants for the design and implementation of regional institutions. Livestock depredated by wolves is protected by a liability rule and hierarchical governance structures. In turn, maintenance of scattered fruit trees is subject to a property rule and voluntary long‐term agreements.