The most contested in Finland: Large carnivores and the Saimaa ringed seal – challenges of socio-ecological rhythms and their practical implications

This article illustrates two Finnish case studies: one about large carnivores and the other about the protection of the Saimaa ringed seal. These cases are analysed by using the concept of life-mode introduced by Thomas Højrup and rhythm analysis developed by Henry Lefebvre. The objective of the paper is to show how the connection between life-modes and spatial and temporal rhythms of humananimal interactions help to better understand the contradictions and conservation challenges of these species. The introduction of new practices, e.g. a new enterprise or conservation of an endangered species, creates arrhythmias to more traditional practices which can be very resistant to change. This resistance is because maintaining rhythms is also to uphold one’s life-modes and associated identities. Life-modes are expressed and regenerated by different practices, symbols and concepts in time and space