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Hur det svenska skogsbruket påverkar mångfald av skalbaggar : jämförelse av skogsskalbaggsmångfald över hela omloppstid genom analys av kronosekvenser av brukade och brand-förnyade skogar
Full text linkForestry is an important industry in Sweden, but threatens ecological values within forest ecosystems. Due to the variety of species and their respective sensitivities to environmental factors, beetles can be used to illustrate differences between managed and natural forests. Beetles were collected from rotationally managed and unmanaged fire-regenerated forests on a scale of time since disturbance, and subsequently identified. Beetle abundance, species richness, and red- listed species richness were all higher on the unmanaged fire chronosequence. Basal area and deadwood diversity were drivers of species richness. Based on these results, smaller scale considerations to nature could improve conditions within the stands throughout the rotation, namely an increase in deadwood abundance and diversity. In addition, Swedish forest management needs to shift from the current methods of clearcutting and even-aged management to continuous cover methods of harvest that better mimic natural disturbance regimes. In general, more forest needs to be protected, across age classes, and the managed landscape should be planned with respect to biodiversity
Continuous cover forestry in boreal ecopark
Full text linkDet svenska skogsbruket domineras av trakthyggesbruk, vilket har visat sig ha negativa effekter på biologisk mångfald och kontinuitet i skogslandskapet. Hyggesfritt skogsbruk, som innebär att skogen aldrig kalavverkas helt, har växt fram som ett alternativ, särskilt i områden med höga naturvärden.
Syftet med detta arbete var att undersöka och redogöra för olika metoder inom hyggesfri skogsskötsel samt att tillämpa dessa i Malingsbo ekopark baserat på dess befintliga bestånds specifika egenskaper såsom ålder, ståndortsindex och trädslagsfördelning. Studien omfattade totalt 148 produktionsbestånd med förstärkt naturvårdshänsyn, där beståndsdata från ekoparkens skogsbruksplan analyserades och applicerades för att skapa en skötselplan med enbart hyggesfria metoder.
De mest frekvent föreslagna metoderna var: gallring (34 %), överhållen skärm (24 %), samt luckhuggning och blädning (14 % vardera). Resultaten i denna studie indikerar på att metodvalen är starkt kopplade till beståndens ålder, ståndortsindex (SI), virkesvolym och trädslagsdominans.
Studiens slutsats är att hyggesfri skogsskötsel kan implementeras i Malingsbo ekopark, under förutsättning att regelbundna uppdateringar av skogsbruksplanens beståndsdata genomförs för att säkerställa fortsatt relevans och precision i metodvalen. Begränsningar i arbetet finns dock då tillgång till markfuktighetsdata och beståndsstruktur från skogsbruksplanen saknas.The Swedish forest industry has long been dominated by clear cutting which has contributed to habitat fragmentation and biodiversity loss. In contrast, continuous cover forestry (CCF) maintains a permanent forest cover and offers an alternative management approach which is particularly valuable in areas with large ecological values.
This study aimed to identify and assign suitable CCF methods within Malingsbo ecopark, based on stand-characteristics such as tree species composition, timber volume, age, and site fertility.
The dataset included 148 productive stands classified with enhanced environmental consideration. Each stand was assessed using criteria developed through a literary review and then assigned a specific CCF method. Commonly proposed methods included thinning, selection cutting, gap cutting, and shelterwood systems. Thinning was the most frequently recommended method (34%), followed by extended shelterwood (24%), with gap cutting and selection cutting each applied to 14% of the stands.
The results suggest that CCF can be implemented systematically in boreal landscapes by using a site relevant planning criterion. The proposed management strategies are in line with previous research and demonstrate potential for promoting structural diversity and ecological continuity. However, the study also highlights certain limitations, such as the absence of soil moisture data and structural stand details in the forest management plan. Ongoing updates and field verification are essential to maintain the accuracy and applicability of such planning efforts
Width of cementum growth layer groups and its possible use in monitoring reproduction in female ringed seal : an exploratory pilot study
Full text linkThe Baltic ringed seal (Pusa hispida botnica) population has faced historical declines due to both hunting and environmental pollution. It is slowly recovering but there is a need for new methods in order to monitor and assess pregnancy rates. The count of growth layer groups (GLGs) in teeth cementum have been used to age ringed seals for decades and the method is well established. This pilot study explored the possibility to measure the widths of the GLGs for subsequent use in monitoring reproduction events in female ringed seals. Canine teeth from eleven ringed seals were used (eight females, three males). The annular GLG widths were compared using a proportional width index (PWI) that corrects for body size difference between individuals and age trends. The PWI values were classified into juvenile years (5). The variance in PWI during adult years was significantly higher in females (0.005062) than in males (0.002065, p<0.001). When comparing the distributions of the PWI values in females (Hartigan’s dip test) the females showed a significant multimodality (p=0.049), forming two significantly different subgroups. This pattern may suggest the influence of pregnancy and lactation on one of the subgroups. During this pilot study, technical difficulties made comparing GLGs of known reproductive status impossible. Addressing these difficulties could be a way forward for future research
Effects of fish farming on phytoplankton in northern lakes
Full text linkDuring the last years, fish farming in Sweden has increased drastically as a result of a growing interest in locally farmed food. As of today, the environmental consequences of fish farms with open cages is not well studied. In this study, we aim to analyze the effects of open cage fish farming on plankton production in nutrient poor, northern lakes (lake Storuman and lake Hornavan). We hypothesize that nutrient leackage through fish farming activities will cause a gradient in nutrients downstream from the fish farm. We also hypothesize that an increased nutrient concentration at the fish farm will cause an increase in primary production in the lake and that experimental nutrient additions close to the fish farm will not increase primary production due to nutrient limitation relief for plankton. Primary production was measured in the lakes through incubation of water together with nutrient additions (N or P) at 0.10m depth and we sampled water for NO3, NH3 and phosphorus in a transect downstream from the fish farm. We then compared our data together with national monitoring data of both chemistry and plankton biomass for the two lakes to visualize and analyze a longer time period with the plankton biomass aiding in the analysis of primary production that we sampled. While primary production tended to be higher in Storuman compared to Hornavan (average 14 Mmol vs 10 Mmol, peak 36 Mmol vs 14 Mmol) this was not statistically significant. The highest measured primary production was observed in the upstream location of Storuman (mean = 25 μ Mmol·L⁻¹) compared to the other sample points. Combining the national monitoring data for water chemistry with our own, we observed higher mean values for ammonium and phosphate in lake Storuman compared to Hornavan. For our measured transect, we observed a significant linear decrease for ammonium and a small linear increase for nitrate based on distance downstream from the fish farm. No such trend was observed for phosphate. We compared algal biomass in Storuman and Hornavan using the national monitoring data comparing with research. Storuman had an average of 1854 μg L⁻¹ while Hornavan had 91 μg L⁻¹. This suggests that Storuman have increased algal growth due to the fish farm. The resulting water chemistry analysis suggests that ammonium concentrations close to the fish farm are significantly elevated compared to other parts of the lake. Despite us not finding a significant effect of primary production on location, the results from the primary production together with the algae concentrations suggest tendencies for elevated primary production in the lake. Lake Storuman does show elevated nutrient levels, but not across the whole lake. Algae concentrations close to the fish farm are relieved of their nutrient deficiencies since incubated bottles displayed no increases in primary production at this particular location. Management decisions have to take into account the risk of eutrophication when operating fish farms in nutrient deficient waters
Veterinary nurse- and veterinary students' knowledge in basic infection prevention
No full textDet saknas studier som undersökt djursjukskötar- och veterinärstudenters kunskap inom basal
vårdhygien vid slutet av sin utbildning samt hur studenterna bedömer sin kunskap. Basal
vårdhygien innefattar handhygien, arbetskläder, handskar och skyddskläder. Denna
observationsstudie undersökte studenternas kunskap och självskattning av sin kunskap genom en
enkätundersökning. Enkäten skickades ut till studenter som gick sista året på
djursjukskötarprogrammet respektive veterinärprogrammet. Totalt inkom 61 svar varav 33
respondenter var djursjukskötarstudenter och 28 respondenter var veterinärstudenter. Frågorna i
enkäten fokuserade på basal vårdhygien samt studenternas erfarenheter av följsamhet till basal
vårdhygien under VFU respektive klinisk rotation. Enkäten avslutades med en självutvärdering av
den egna kunskapen och en fråga om huruvida respondenterna ansåg sig ha tillräcklig kunskap
inom basal vårdhygien för kliniskt arbete i djursjukvården. Respondenterna uppvisade relativt
goda kunskaper i basal vårdhygien. På många av enkätfrågorna observerades en relativt god
kunskapsnivå även om en relativt låg andel respondenter svarade helt korrekt på frågorna. Enstaka
avvikande resultat observerades, framför allt gällande handtvätt för veterinärstudenterna där
andelen korrekta svar var låg. Veterinärstudenterna skattade sin kunskap i handtvätt relativt högt
trots att det var det ämne de uppvisade sämst kunskap i. Totalt fyra respondenter hade korrekta
svar på alla frågor i enkäten som syftade till att undersöka respondenternas kunskap. Majoriteten
av respondenterna ansåg att de låg på åtta av tio i kunskapsnivå på de olika områdena inom basal
vårdhygien. Majoriteten av respondenterna svarade även att de ansåg sig ha den kunskap som
krävs inom basal vårdhygien för att kunna utföra sitt arbete inom djursjukvården. Baserat på de
resultat som framkom i delen om kunskap inom basal vårdhygien så föreslås en utökning av
undervisning inom basal vårdhygien inom veterinärprogrammet samt i slutet av
djursjukskötarprogrammet för att potentiellt öka studenternas kunskap inom ämnet. Exempelvis
skulle en etablering av moment som diskussionsforum i basal vårdhygien under VFU och klinisk
rotation kunna ha en positiv inverkan på studenternas kunskap. Mer studier krävs för att utreda
studenters kunskapsnivå inom området liksom sätt att öka mängden kunskap som kvarstår över tid
så att resurser kan läggas på rätt åtgärder för att stärka studenternas kunskap inom ämnet.
Nyckelord: Handhygien, handskar, hygien, klädkod, kännedom, skyddskläder, smittskydd, student,
universitet, utbildningThere are no studies that have investigated veterinary nursing and veterinary students’ knowledge
about basic infection prevention at the end of their education and how the students judge
themselves about their knowledge. Basic infection prevention consists of hand hygiene, work
clothes, gloves and protective clothing. This observational study examined the students'
knowledge and self-reflection by sending out a questionnaire to students who were in their final
year of the veterinary nursing program and the veterinary program, respectively. A total of 61
responses were received, of which 33 respondents were veterinary nursing students and 28
respondents were veterinary students. The questions in the questionnaire focused on basic
infection prevention and the students' experiences of compliance during VFU/clinical rotation, the
questionnaire then concluded with self-evaluation and a question about whether the respondents
considered themselves to have sufficient knowledge in basic infection prevention for clinical
work. The respondents showed relatively good knowledge in basic infection prevention. A lot of
the questions had a relatively low number of respondents answering completely correctly, however
it was still possible to observe a relatively good level of knowledge. A few deviating results could
be observed, especially regarding handwashing for veterinary students where the percentage of
correct answers were low. The veterinary students graded themselves fairly high however this was
also the area they showed the worst knowledge in. A total of four respondents answered all
questions that sought to examine the respondent's knowledge correctly in the survey. Most
respondents considered themselves to be at an eight out of ten on a scale in the various areas that
were given. A majority of respondents also answered that they considered themselves to have the
knowledge required in basic hygiene care to be able to perform their work in animal healthcare.
Based on the level of knowledge shown during the basic infection prevention questions a
suggestion of an expansion of teaching in basic infection prevention within the veterinary program
as well as towards the end of the animal nursing program to potentially increase the students’
knowledge on the subject. For example, establishing tasks such as discussion forums in basic
infection prevention during the students VFU and clinical rotation could have a positive impact on
the students' knowledge. More studies are needed to investigate students' knowledge levels on the
subject as well as ways to increase the amount of knowledge that remains over time so that
resources can be allocated to the right measures to strengthen the students' knowledge on the
subject.
Keywords: Hand hygiene, gloves, hygiene, dress code, awareness, protective clothing, infection
protection, student, university, educatio
Fungicidresistens och överlevnad i jorden hos Alternaria solani
Full text linkAlternaria solani is a major pathogen affecting potato (Solanum tuberosum), causing early
blight and significant yield annual losses globally. Due to the pathogen’s ability to develop
resistance to QoI fungicides and boscalid, a SDHI fungicide, concerns have arisen regarding
future fluopyram resistance. Fluopyram is a SDHI fungicide that inhibits fungal respiration
and is one of the active ingredients of a relatively new fungicide, Propulse. This study aimed
to assess the level of resistance of A. solani isolates to fluopyram and whether the isolates
studied showed signs of fungicide resistance 2 years after introduction of Propulse. Another
objective was to study the survival of the pathogen in soil during winter as this could
influence its epidemiology. The study was separated into three experiments: a germination
assay testing spore viability across fungicide concentration, the prevalence of A. solani on
treated or non-treated leaves and an evaluation of soil type on fungus survival. The
germination assay revealed a significant reduction in spore germination at high fluopyram
concentrations, although it did not completely inhibit spore viability. A. solani was detected
in all leaf samples, with fungicide-treated leaves unexpectedly containing higher levels of
Alternaria spp.. The presence of A. solani despite treatment, as seen on leaf samples and
germination assay, might indicate the possibility of lower sensitivity to the fungicide. The
results from the soil experiment aligned with current literature, showing enhanced survival of
A. solani in dry clay soils. These findings, although demonstrating fluopyram’s current
effectivity on the pathogen, hint towards future challenges. Increased temperatures tend to
lead to drier soils which could promote A. solani infections. Although, further research is
required to validate these observations
Multifunktionell parkutveckling : en studie om lek- och skyfallslösningar i Folkparken, Lund
Full text linkKlimatförändringar och förtätande städer ställer nya och högre krav på offentliga miljöer. Barns rätt till lek och tillgång till natur riskeras att glömmas bort i planeringsprocessen av stadsutvecklingen. Denna studie undersöker möjligheterna kring att utveckla befintlig parkmiljö till en mer multifunktionell yta som kan hantera både skyfall och erbjuda en lekmijö som är stimulerande, trygg och utmanande för både barn och vuxna. Folkparken i Lund valdes ut i samråd med Lunds kommun som ett möjligt projekt som kan bidra till EU-projektet ARCADIA.
Arbetet är en kombination av litteraturstudie, platsanalys och referensplatsbesök. Litteraturstudien har bidragit till en förståelse för vad som skapar en lekmiljö med högt lekvärde och samtidigt kunna upplevas som en tryggplats att vistas på, även om ytan även hanterar skyfall och vatten.
Genom platsanalys av Folkparken har potentialen och utvecklingsmöjligheterna identifierats och där referensbesök i Lund, Lomma, Malmö och Hjärup bidragit till att kunna se och utvärdera liknande miljöer i praktiken.
Resultatet visar på hur olika designprinciper kan användas för att både gynna skyfallslösningar och hur man kan integrera leken till en sådan miljö utan att åtsidosätta barns behov av lek, trygghet och variation. Det här arbetet visar på att multifunktionella lösningar som inkuderar skyfallshantering och lekmiljö på samma yta kräver en balans mellan teknisk funktion och en utformning som känns trygg och lekfull.Climate change and cities that are becoming more compact puts new and greater demands on public environments. In the urban development process, children’s right to play and access to nature is often at risk of being overlooked. This study explores how existing park spaces can be developed into multifunctional environments that both manage cloudbursts and provide stimulating, safe, and engaging play opportunities for children and adults alike. Folkparken in Lund was selected in collaboration with the region of Lund as a potential site contributing to the EU-funded ARCADIA project.
The study is based on a combination of literature review, site analysis, and visits to reference environments. The literature provided insights into what constitutes high play value and how such environments can also be experienced as safe, even when designed to manage stormwater.
Through site analysis of Folkparken, the park’s potential and development opportunities were identified. Reference visits to sites in Lund, Lomma, Malmö, and Hjärup contributed with practical examples of similar multifunctional spaces.
The results show how design principles can support both stormwater solutions and playful environments without compromising children’s need for play, safety, and variation. This work demonstrates that multifunctional solutions combining stormwater management and play require a balance between technical performance and a design that feels both safe and inviting for play
Zoos as a platform for learning : the function of Swedish zoos in education about biodiversity, species conservation, and sustainable development
No full textMånga samhällsaktörer har ansvar att förmedla information om biologisk mångfald och bevarandearbete, men av dessa utmärker sig djurparker. Med totalt 148 miljoner besök årligen hos EAZA-medlemmar respektive 8 miljoner hos SDF-medlemmar finns stora möjligheter att nå ut till allmänheten med kunskap och intresse för djur och natur på ett lekfullt sätt till en bred målgrupp. När djurparker används som lärplattformar kan kunskap och engagemang spridas om biologisk mångfald, artbevarande och hållbar utveckling genom flertalet läraktiviteter. För att utnyttja så mycket som möjligt av den potential djurparker har vad gäller utbildning av allmänheten behövs ökad förståelse vad besökare tar med sig efter ett besök, samt vilka styrkor och svagheter som finns i utbildningsmiljöer och pedagogiska aktiviteter för att på så sätt utveckla och förstärka den pedagogiska verksamheten vidare. Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka upplevelser och inlärning hos besökare kopplat till olika läraktiviteter på svenska djurparker vad gäller biologisk mångfald, artbevarande, och hållbar utveckling. Det undersöktes även huruvida djurparksdjuren påverkade engagemang och inlärning. Resultat pekade på att de aktiviteter som upplevdes mest lärorika var informationsskyltar, tillgänglig personal, djurpresentationer med djur, samt visningar med närkontakt med djur. De läraktiviteter som skattades lägst var aktiviteter där djuren inte involverades. Faktorer som upplevdes kunna påverka lärandet positivt var främst engagerad och kunnig personal, samt närkontakt med djur som ökade engagemang. Lärandet upplevdes också kunna påverkas av den omgivande miljön kring läraktiviteten. Svagheter i det pedagogiska utbudet var att det saknades inspiration och motivation för att förändra sina vanor mot en mer hållbar framtid. En ytterligare svaghet var djurens välfärd, som visade sig vara ett bekymmer hos många. I framtida forskning vore det gynnsamt att undersöka vad djurparker kan göra mer för att främja en hållbar framtid och för att öka inspirationen hos besökare att förändra sina beteenden. Huruvida kunskapen som djurparker når ut med faktiskt leder till förändrade beteenden vore också fördelaktigt att forska kring.Many societal actors bear responsibility for communicating information about biodiversity and conservation efforts, but among these, zoos stand out. With a total of 148 million visitors annually at EAZA member institutions and 8 million at SDF members, there are great opportunities to reach the public with knowledge and interest in animals and nature in a playful way to a broad audience. When zoos are used as learning platforms, knowledge and engagement regarding biodiversity, species conservation, and sustainable development can be spread through various educational activities. To fully utilize the potential zoos have in educating the public, a greater understanding is needed of what visitors take with them after a visit, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of educational environments and pedagogical activities, in order to develop and enhance the educational efforts further. The aim of this study was to examine visitors’ experiences and learning related to different educational activities at Swedish zoos concerning biodiversity, species conservation, and sustainable development. It was also investigated whether the zoo animals influenced engagement and learning. The results indicated that the most educational activities were information signs, accessible staff, animal presentations including animals, and guides with close-contact with animals. Activities where animals were not involved were rated the lowest.
Factors that could positively influence learning included engaged and knowledgeable staff, as well as close contact with animals, which increased engagement. Learning could also be affected by the environment surrounding the activity. Weaknesses in the educational offerings included a lack of inspiration and motivation to change daily habits towards a more sustainable future. Additionally, animal welfare was a concern for many. Future research would benefit from exploring what more zoos can do to promote a sustainable future and to increase visitors’ inspiration to change their behaviors. It would also be advantageous to investigate whether the knowledge conveyed by zoos actually leads to behavioral change
Kartläggning och prioritering av ung- och medelålders skog för lavfrämjande skötsel : balansera skogsbruk och renskötsel
Full text linkIn northern Sweden, reindeer rely heavily on ground lichen as a key resource for winter forage. However, forestry practices focused on production can negatively impact lichen abundance through denser stands, and the last 60 years have seen a decline of lichen-rich forests by 71 %. As a result, extensive research on adapted management for the benefit of ground lichen abundance has found improvement potential surrounding forestry practices on land overlapping between reindeer husbandry and forest companies.
This study aimed to develop a method for prioritizing stands for reindeer-adapted management by analysing lichen coverage and forest structure across more than 300 000 ha of productive forest land owned by Sveaskog. Spatial filtering was applied using lichen intensity data derived from a 10 x 10 m raster in combination with a forest stand dataset from Sveaskog. Forest stands were categorized by lichen abundance and developmental stage, and those classified as young or middle-aged were analysed based on structural parameters such as basal area, stem density and site index.
The results found that ground lichen was most prevalent in stands with low site productivity and lower stand density, reaffirming the literature. Management classes proved effective for identifying operationally viable stands and exhibited structural patterns consistent with literature on lichen ecology. However, uncertainties in data such as stem density indicate improvement potential with regards to more precise classification. The workflow developed in the study provides a practical framework for integrating ecological considerations into forest management for planning alongside reindeer husbandry
Crocuta crocuta activity pattern in Ol Pejeta Conservancy (Kenya, Laikipia County) : how seasons, rain, and light influence the activity of a spotted hyena population in a fenced area
Full text linkSpotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) is the most abundant big predator in Africa. The rising human population is making their interaction with humans more and more common making studies about their behaviour vital for their conservation. This study investigated their activity pattern at the border of a fenced conservancy in Kenya (Laikipia County). Hyenas were photographed between 2017 and 2018 at the corridors that connect the conservancy with the surroundings. Their presence/absence was analysed in the relation to rainfall, calculated as the mm of water fallen each day and the average amount of mm fallen in the previous 7, 30, 60, and 90 days; biomass amount, calculated with a Modified Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index; and night brightness, calculated as an index including earth-moon distance, lunar illumination, and cloud coverage. Biomass didn’t show any significant effect on the activity of hyenas (p: 0.5991), this was thought to be due to constransting effects that induced some hyenas to leave while others stayed inside the borders of the conservancy not resulting in a net positive nor negative effect. Night brightness, on the contrary, had a negative effect on hyenas presence. This result was explained by hyenas' hunting success during brighter nights and their relationship with other sympatric carnivores. Rainfall turned out to be a significant factor only if considered in the previous 7 days. With the increase in prey abundance inside the conservancy, hyenas dind’t need to commute to other hunting grounds and were less active near the borders if there was more rain. However, studying the spotted hyena’s behaviour in connection to environmental factors only, didn’t give a complete picture of the complex inter- and intraspecific interactions that drive their activity. A larger dataset and more research are needed to obtain more complete and reliable results