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En starkare värdekedja för vegetabiliskt protein för humankonsumtion i Östergötland
Get PDFDenna rapport presenterar resultaten från projektet ”En starkare värdekedja för vegetabiliskt protein för humankonsumtion i Östergötland”, finansierat av Stiftelsen Lantbruksforskning. Resultatet bygger på tre delstudier; 1) Inventering av värdekedjan och eventuella hinder (dataunderlag från officiell statistik, publikationer och intervjuer med odlare (4 st), rådgivare (3 st), uppköpare/handelshus (4 st) och livsmedelsindustri (3 st), dagligvaruhandel (1st) samt offentlig måltid (1st); 2) Analys, diskussion och förankring av identifierade hinder och lösningar med aktörer i värdekedjan och slutligen; 3) Utformning av handlingsplaner som diskuterats och förankrats med aktörer i den östgötska livsmedelskedjan. Bakgrunden till projektet bygger på kunskapen om att en ökad odling och konsumtion av baljväxter kan bidra till flera samhällsnyttor. Identifierade vinster kopplas till minskad klimatpåverkan, gynnande av biologisk mångfald och minskad övergödning, men även till nya affärsmöjligheter i livsmedelskedjan och positiva effekter på människors hälsa och ekonomi. I detta projekt undersöker vi faktorer som kan öka förutsättningarna för en starkare värdekedja och livsmedelssystem för vegetabiliskt protein för humankonsumtion i Östergötland. Resultatet visar att den odlade arealen för gul ärta utgör 30 % av den potential som finns i Östergötland samt att motsvarande siffra för åkerböna är 46 %. Det finns alltså utrymme att öka odlingen av båda dessa grödor. Från odlarnas och rådgivarnas perspektiv lyfts pris och odlingsosäkerhet fram som de två mest avgörande faktorerna till att en relativt liten andel av proteingrödorna odlas för humankonsumtion. Även handelshus och spannmålshandel betonar betydelsen av pris och då särskilt konkurrensen med importerad råvara. Det konstateras även att den pågående diskussionen kring livsmedelberedskap är en möjlighet för just baljväxter. Även i livsmedelsindustrin är pris och importkonkurrens tongivande, men även vikten av beteendeförändringar i storhushåll och hos privatpersoner. Dagligvaruhandeln betonar vikten av att aktivt arbeta med intresseväckande aktiviteter i butik. Slutligen kan det konstateras att det inom food service finns ett kontinuerligt arbete med att utveckla vegetariska måltider, samt att det finns en önskan om att handla regionalt producerade råvaror. Projektets insikter har samlats i handlingsplanen Östgötaprotein, med målet att samla hela värdekedjan bakom fyra strategiska insatser: 1. Ökad och stabil efterfrågan på östgötska proteingrödor från industri, handel, restaurang och offentlig sektor. 2. Fler mottagnings-, berednings- och förädlingsanläggningar i Sverige som svarar mot värdekedjans behov. 3. Ökad samverkan mellan aktörer i värdekedjan i Östergötland. 4. Nationell kraftsamling och samverkan för att stärka värdekedjan för vegetabiliskt protein för humankonsumtion i Sverige. Sammantaget kan det konstateras att det finns en stark tradition och stor erfarenhet av att odla baljväxter och framför allt gul ärta i Östergötland. Likaså är de samhällsnyttor som finns med en ökad odling och konsumtion av baljväxter väl förankrade bland aktörer i värdekedjan, från odlare till butik och storhushåll. Tack vare dessa förutsättningar finns det en stor potential i utvecklingen av ökad produktion och humankonsumtion av vegetabiliskt protein i Östergötland
HuHoLa: A novel Hummock-Hollow-Lawn mire microtopography modelling approach
Get PDFPeatlands play a crucial role in global carbon storage and methane emissions. Microtopographic features (hummocks, hollows, and lawns) are one of their main characteristics. These features strongly influence hydrological and biogeochemical processes, affecting vegetation patterns and greenhouse gas exchanges. Traditional methods for mapping peatland microtopography often rely on complex algorithms or require extensive field data, typically producing only a binary hummock-hollow classification. These shortcomings limit their applicability for large-scale studies. To address these challenges, we developed and validated HuHoLa (Hummock-Hollow-Lawn), an easy applicable and scalable model that classifies peatland microtopography using only a digital elevation model (DEM). HuHoLa applies a sink-filling approach to generate classifications, with a key feature being a threshold value to better capture the subtle variations in the non-flat lawn features. In addition to the microtopographic classification, the model provides a secondary output that acts as a proxy for water table depth (WTD) and soil temperature (Ts), thus offering a useful tool for understanding spatial variations in WTD and Ts across peatland landscapes. HuHoLa delivers a more nuanced and realistic depiction of peatland surface structure compared to traditional binary methods, with field-based validation demonstrating robust performance (Kappa coefficients of 0.62 and 0.81 for DEM resolutions of 30 cm and 50 cm, respectively) that outperforms traditional binary classification approaches (Kappa < 0.5 for DEM resolutions between 10 and 25 cm). The model is particularly suited for large-scale research applications. Its simplicity, requiring only a DEM, combined with its multi-purpose use, makes it an effective tool for advancing peatland studies and integrating with land surface models
Prevalence and risk of orthopedic diagnoses in insured Swedish Warmblood horses
Get PDFSweden has a strong tradition of insuring horses for veterinary costs, and orthopedic diagnoses are the most common for insurance claims. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in prevalence and risk of orthopedic diagnoses for Swedish warmblood (SWB) horses classified as jumping (J) or dressage (D) horses. Also, other factors that may influence orthopedic health were investigated, i.e., sex, birth cohort, and participation in young horse tests and competition. The data consisted of 15,619 insured SWB horses born between 2010 and 2020. Horses were classified as J or D horses according to pedigree. The prevalence of orthopedic diagnoses was investigated using logistic regression analysis and presented as Least Squares means. The time from birth to first orthopedic diagnosis was investigated using survival analysis. D horses were at a higher risk of having orthopedic diagnoses compared with J horses (50.9 % vs 43.9 %, P < 0.0001). Male horses were at a higher risk than females (49.7 % vs 45.0 %, P < 0.0001), and tested horses were at a higher risk than non-tested horses (49.9 % vs 44.9 %, P < 0.0001). No significant difference was seen between competed and non-competed horses regarding the risk of having orthopedic diagnoses, but the groups were predisposed to different subgroups of orthopedic diagnoses. Survival analysis showed that later cohorts were more likely to have insurance claims for orthopedic diagnoses at a younger age than earlier cohorts. In conclusion, insurance data can be a useful tool to study which factors influence the orthopedic health status of the SWB horse population
Växtnäringsförluster från åkermark 2023/2024
Get PDFInom programmet Observationsfält på åkermark undersöks avrinning, växtnäringsutlakning och odlingsåtgärder på ett antal fält (13 st) på olika platser i landet. Fälten ingår i gårdens normala drift. Programmet ingår i den nationella miljöövervakningen på jordbruksmark med Naturvårdsverket som ansvarig myndighet och med SLU som ansvarig utförare. I denna rapport redovisas resultat för det agrohydrologiska året juli 2023 – juni 2024. Rapporten redovisar bl.a. flödesvägda årsmedelhalter (mg/l) och transporter av näringsämnen (kg/ha) samt avrinning (mm) för varje fält, medan klimatet redovisas översiktligt för olika delar av Sverige.Under perioden juli 2023 till juni 2024 var årsnederbörden större eller mycket större än normalnederbörden vid alla observationsfält. Augusti 2023 var mycket blöt, med nederbörd över 100 mm vid de flesta fält och vid ett fält i Östergötland föll 250 mm under augusti månad. Till följd av en kall vinter (oktober – januari) i Västerbotten blev årsmedeltemperaturen för perioden 0,5°C lägre än normalt. I Skåne, däremot, var medeltemperaturen 1°C högre än normalt till följd av att de flesta månader låg över normal temperatur. I Östergötland var årsmedeltemperaturen endast något högre (0,3°C) än normalt. Tack vare den stora årsnederbörden blev även årsavrinningen större eller mycket större än flerårsmedelvärdet för alla fält utom fält 14AC som hade mindre avrinning (Tabell 4). Flera fält (11M, 5O och 21E) hade mer än dubbelt så stor årsavrinning jämfört med flerårsmedlet.Till följd av den stora avrinningen blev även årstransporten av totalkväve och totalfosfor större än respektive flerårsmedelvärde för de flesta fält. För flera fält var årstransporten mer än dubbelt så stor jämfört med respektive flerårsmedelvärde, för totalkväve (2M, 11M, 5O, 20E) och för totalfosfor (2M, 3M, 4O, 6E, 7E, 1D). Två fält gick dock emot detta med betydligt mindre årstransport, av totalkväve för fält 12N och av totalfosfor för fält 20E. Årsmedelhalten av totalkväve var för de flesta av fälten nära eller strax under respektive flerårsmedelvärde. Årsmedelhalten av totalfosfor varierade mellan fälten, från dubbelt så hög (2M, 3M, 1D) till endast en tredjedel så hög (20E), jämfört med respektive flerårsmedelvärde.I den här rapporten finns även en mer ingående beskrivning av fält 6E som är ett av de äldsta fälten med start 1974. Mer information och data från undersökningen finns på www.slu.se/mark/dv
Aquatic insect functional traits indicate spatiotemporal changes in potential aquatic prey availability to terrestrial consumers after small dam removal
Get PDFAs a restoration measure, dam removal is expected to lead to ecological improvement. However, there is little understanding how dam removal affects lateral interactions across ecosystem boundaries. The transfer of aquatic resource subsidies into terrestrial food webs via the winged adult stages of aquatic insects is recognized as a key component in the functioning of riverine networks. Here, a quantitative review was performed to investigate the potential of dam removal to restore lateral connectivity with riparian ecosystems in terms of the production and dispersal of aquatic insect subsidies. Specifically, the functional trait composition of benthic invertebrate insect assemblages was analyzed to assess how the dispersal and life history of stream invertebrates are affected by dam removal. Functional trait responses to dam removal were quantified within the downstream, impoundment and upstream sections, utilizing extracted or calculated functional traits from a comprehensive search of empirical studies containing pre- and post-dam removal data along with the specific sampling distance from the dam (downstream and impoundment) or distance from the impoundment (upstream) and time from dam removal. The findings of this study suggest that the removal of small dams results in a more constant, rather than pulsed, supply of aquatic insects as resource subsidies for terrestrial consumers. Furthermore, results indicate an increase in potential aquatic prey dispersal extent into the terrestrial landscape in the downstream section and initially in the impoundment
Trait-environment relationships over short taxonomic and abiotic gradients on Sedum/moss roofs
Get PDFOne commonly constructed green roof type, the Sedum/moss roof, usually has a substrate depth less than 5 cm and thus can only support a limited plant community, typically dominated by drought-tolerant succulents. Despite this restricted plant community, variation in succulent community composition exists, likely influenced by roof characteristics such as age, slope, and shade. Since different plant species and traits are associated with different ecosystem services, there is a need to understand how even minor variation in green roof design or environmental setting can influence community composition and trait values. In this study, we examine a chronosequence of 31 Sedum/moss extensive green roofs, built in a similar manner, in Malmo, Sweden and Helsinki, Finland. The purpose of this research was to understand how slight changes in green roof environmental/abiotic features affect (1) plant community-level traits (means and diversity), as well as (2) intraspecific trait variation, that is, how traits of individual species (here Sedum album, Phedimus spurius, and Phedimus hybridus) vary along an environmental gradient. Based on our results, taller plant species are more likely to be observed on older roofs, with deeper substrate, less solar exposure, and on shorter buildings. Deeper substrates also promoted plants with higher specific leaf area (SLA). Furthermore, small changes in roof attributes led to intraspecific trait variation, with taller individuals of P. hybridus observed on roofs with a deeper substrate; taller individuals of S. album observed on younger roofs; and higher values of SLA for P. hybridus and P. spurius observed on roofs with higher solar exposure. Since both SLA and plant height have been associated with stormwater retention and thermal cooling, key green roof ecosystem services, our findings demonstrate the importance minor variation in environmental conditions can have on the benefits provided by vegetated rooftops
Identification and characterization of Sr59-mediated stem rust resistance in a novel wheat-rye translocation T2BL 2BS-2RL
Get PDFEmerging new races of wheat stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) are threatening global wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production. Host resistance is the most effective and environmentally friendly method of controlling stem rust. The stem rust resistance gene Sr59 was previously identified within a T2DS 2RL wheat-rye whole arm translocation, providing broad-spectrum resistance to various stem rust races. Seedling evaluation, molecular marker analysis, and cytogenetic studies identified wheat-rye introgression line #284 containing a new translocation chromosome T2BL 2BS-2RL. This line has demonstrated broad-spectrum resistance to stem rust at the seedling stage. Seedling evaluation and cytogenetic analysis of three backcross populations between the line #284 and the adapted cultivars SLU-Elite, Navruz, and Linkert confirmed that Sr59 is located within the short distal 2RL translocation. This study aimed physical mapping of Sr59 in the 2RL introgression segment and develop a robust molecular marker for marker-assisted selection. Using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS), GBS-derived SNPs were aligned with full-length annotated rye nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) genes in the parental lines CS ph1b, SLU238, SLU-Elite, Navruz, and Linkert, as well as in 33 BC4F5 progeny. Four NLR genes were identified on the 2R chromosome, with Chr2R_NLR_60 being tightly linked to the Sr59 resistance gene. In-silico functional enrichment analysis of the translocated 2RL region (25,681,915 bp) identified 223 genes, with seven candidate genes associated with plant disease resistance and three linked to agronomic performance, contributing to oxidative stress response, protein kinase activity, and cellular homeostasis. These findings facilitate a better understanding of the genetic basis of stem rust resistance provided by Sr59. (c) 2025 Crop Science Society of China and Institute of Crop Science, CAAS. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Unlocking a transition to alternative forest management in intensive management contexts: Stakeholder perceptions of constraints and opportunities in Sweden
Get PDFForests are increasingly recognized as providing key nature-based solutions for societal challenges related to climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable development. This is driving a shift towards greater consideration of alternative forest management (AFM) approaches that promote ecological integrity and social values alongside economic viability. This study investigates constraints and opportunities influencing the adoption of AFM practices in contexts dominated by intensive management. Using a case study of Sweden, we conducted a literature review and a workshop with 53 expert participants to identify 26 topic clusters related to the transition from intensive management to AFM. Key findings reveal that knowledge gaps, socio-cultural norms, and institutional support are perceived as the most significant factors affecting AFM adoption. Participants highlighted conservative traditions and inadequate advisory services as major constraints, while increasing interest among forest owners and potential regulatory support from the European Union were recognized as opportunities for change. Notably, economic and biophysical factors were ranked as less important than socio-cultural, institutional, and knowledge/technology themes. The results indicate that AFM has not yet gained sufficient traction in Sweden to challenge intensive practices, suggesting that incremental change is the most likely outcome in the short term. However, growing public awareness of the limitations of intensive management, societal demands for sustainability, and changes in ownership demographics may catalyse more substantial changes. These opportunities have received less attention in the reviewed literature and the findings therefore emphasize the need for enhanced knowledge dissemination, collaborative networks, and supportive policy and economic instruments to facilitate uptake of AFM. The Swedish case also offers insights for international efforts to support a transition away from intensive forest management
Evaluating the potential of underwater television to contribute to marine litter assessments alongside bottom trawling
Get PDFMarine litter presents a global threat to marine ecosystems, human health, and safety. Therefore, it is important to increase our knowledge about spatiotemporal trends of litter in the environment. Bottom trawl surveys provide a practical method for monitoring seafloor litter on the continental shelf, but can have severe negative impacts on the environment. Here we evaluate the potential of an ongoing underwater television survey (UWTV) to also collect litter density data, and develop model-based indices of litter densities integrating coastal and offshore trawl survey data using geostatistical models. Based on our case study along the Swedish west coast, we find that UWTV in its current format may be limited as an alternative to trawling in areas with relatively low densities. There are also clear spatial trends in litter, with the highest densities in near-shores areas currently only included in the national monitoring program. Our results illustrate the potential of combining data, but also the importance of careful sampling designing for marine litter monitoring