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Risk management for malting barley
Get PDFThere are a lot of risks associated with agricultural production. Weather, diseases, pests, and price risk to mention a few. Farmers have some tools to use for transferring or mitigating some of the risks of farming. One way is the use of financial instruments such as futures where a price can be predetermined before the crop is even planted. One risky crop is malting barley. Due to the strict quality requirements the total acreage for a farmer not always accepted, on average is 59% of the crop in Svealands slättbygder accepted as malting barley, and 68% is accepted in Götalands södra slättbygder. The farmers have the option of growing three varieties of barley, feed, beer or whisky.
This study aims to make a comparison in the cost of quality risk in barley production between malting barley for beer and malting barley for whisky production depending on different levels of risk aversion. The study investigate also how Swedish farmers can benefit from using futures contracts and different hedging strategies for wheat, rapeseed, and if there are benefit with using a cross-hedge for beer and whisky barley and reach the highest utility.
This is done by constructing two fictitious farms using prices from Lantmännen, harvesting data from farms in SS and GSS, cost calculation from Agriwise and other data sources to calculate a gross margin matrix for different strategies and for either beer or whisky barley. This data is used to model an optimization model in Excel and together with the use of quadratic risk programming calculate the difference between different marketing strategies at different risk aversion levels and the difference between barley for beer or whisky.
The results from the study shows that there are a difference between the cost of quality risk between beer and whisky barley and the two areas of production. In SS was the cost of quality 334SEK/hectare and 61 SEK/hectare for malting barley intended for beer production in GSS. For whisky barley was the cost 131 SEK/hectare in SS and 134 SEK/hectare in GSS. The best strategy in lowering the price variability was the staircase strategy but the strategy that delivered the highest expected utility was the average strategy without cross-hedging the malting barley. The conclusion is that the farmer can handle their risk exposure depending on what crops to grow and what strategies to use
In deep waters
Get PDFUrban Wetlands (UWs), defined as bodies of water receiving urban runoff, remain essential to urban ecology, although they are threatened by anthropogenic activities, particularly those related to urban hydrology. For rich biodiversity to thrive in these systems, effective maintenance strategies are necessary. This study aimed to investigate proper maintenance strategies for promoting UW-biodiversity by interviewing Biologists/Ecologists (Bio/Eco) and Stormwater Managers/Urban Planners (SM/UP) in Swedish municipalities and analyzing their responses statistically. Results indicate that relatively few Swedish municipalities employ such established maintenance strategies, with larger municipalities and SM/UP overrepresented among those having maintenance plans and experiencing problems, including organizational and design-related obstacles. Cleaning/de-clogging of outlets and inlets, as well as removal of excess debris, appear relatively frequently, likely benefiting biodiversity. While, emptying UWs of water occurs infrequently, potentially hindering biodiversity along with infrequent monitoring routines. Trade-offs involve balancing stormwater treatment efficiency and biodiversity as well as choosing between maintenance actions and timing to strike the right level of disturbance, favoring selected species. UW-biodiversity follow-ups in Swedish municipalities are scarce and vague, with an unclear association with maintenance strategies. Therefore, optimal maintenance strategies for biodiversity should be based on contextual research, recommending water table monitoring, weeding, removing in/outlet debris, and incorporating a multi-cellular design with a pre-sedimentation basin, allowing for full maintenance access and emptying, as well as complex littoral fringe structures and varied bottom terrain. Further research clarifying the symbiotic relationship between stormwater treatment efficiency and biodiversity, accompanied by contextual outreach to municipalities, is needed
What is being secured by coastal protection? : a case study of Vellinge municipality’s protective embankment
Get PDFHavsnivån stiger och klimatanpassning i kustnära områden blir en alltmer aktuell planeringsfråga. Idag krävs nya sätt att se på vem som bär ansvar och förståelse för vad en rättvis klimatanpassning innebär. Studiens syfte är att bidra till att bredda planerarperspektivet och fördjupa kunskap om hur olika värden tar uttryck i klimatanpassning. Inom ramen för en fallstudie av klimatanpassningsarbetet i Vellinge kommun i sydvästra Skåne, belyses olika perspektiv på rättvisa kopplat till den skyddsvall som ska byggas runt Falsterbonäset samt uppmärksamhet ges kring värdeprioritering vid införandet av klimatanpassningsåtgärder. Utifrån dokumentanalys och forskningsintervjuer identifieras sju rättviseperspektiv vilka analyseras utifrån teorier om värde, osäkerhet och riskhantering. Studiens resultat visar att Vellinge kommun bedriver anpassningar som medför orättvisa mot vissa kommunmedlemmar som gärna vill ligga innanför vallen men som inte får på grund av kommunalt ointresse. Dessutom finns det de som inte vill ha en vall framför sitt hus på grund av insyn från vallens krön samt risken att gå med förlust vid eventuell försäljning. Resultatet visar vidare på att kommunen genom att bygga skyddsvall skyddar privata intressen och alla de som endast har fritidsbostäder på Falsterbonäset där vallen i huvudsak finansieras med statliga medel. I resultatet framkommer att det finns flertalet konflikter mellan olika värden då man genom skyddsvallen offrar golfklubbar, naturreservat, landskapsbilden och prioriterar vissa djurvärden över andra. Dessutom möjliggör skyddsvallen fortsatt exploatering i strandnära känsliga lägen och annan byggbar mark vilket dels kan påverka människors rörelsefrihet på platsen, dels framtida generationers möjlighet till rekreation i skog och på strandområden.The sea level is rising and climate adaptation in coastal areas is becoming an increasingly urgent planning issue. Today, new ways of looking at who is responsible and an understanding of what just climate adaptation means, are required. The purpose of this study is to contribute to the broadening of the planners perspective and to deepen their knowledge with regards to how certain values shape climate adaptation. Within the framework of a case study of the climate adaptation work in Vellinge municipality in south-western Skåne, different perspectives on justice linked to the protective embankment to be built around Falsterbonäset are highlighted, and attention is given to value prioritization when introducing climate adaptation measures. Based on document analysis and research interviews, seven justice perspectives are identified, which are analyzed based on theories of value, precariousness, and risk management. The results of the study show that Vellinge municipality carries out adaptations that lead to injustice towards certain members of the municipality who would like to be inside the protective embankment but cannot because of municipal disinterest. Besides, there are those who do not want an embankment in front of their house due to visibility from the crest of the embankment and the risk of making a loss in the event of a sale. The result further shows that by building a protective embankment, the municipality protects private interests and all those who only have holiday homes on Falsterbonäset, where the embankment is mainly financed with state funds. The results show that there are numerous conflicts between different values when golf clubs, nature reserves and landscapes are sacrificed, and certain animal values are prioritized over others through the protective embankment. In addition, the protective embankment allows for continued development in sensitive locations close to the beach and other buildable land, which can partly affect people's freedom of movement on the site, and partly the opportunity for future generations to enjoy recreation in forests and in coastal areas
The thin green line : the role of “green ribbons” in the planning of Uppsala 1958–2016
Get PDFInom den stadsplanering som många landskapsarkitekter verkar inom är frågor rörande förtätning och grönstruktur återkommenade. Inom grönstrukturen ryms, vad detta arbete kallar för, ”gröna band”. Banden utgörs av långsmala, ej hårdgjorda markytor med växtlighet som löper genom stadsväven. Detta arbete undersöker hur Uppsalas övergripande planer (generalplaner, kommunprogram och översiktsplaner) har planerat för de gröna banden mellan 1958-2016, och hur förtätningen har påverkat denna utveckling. Följande två frågeställningar ligger till grund för arbetet:
- Hur har planeringen av gröna band utvecklats inom den kommunala övergripande planeringen av Uppsala stad mellan åren 1958–2016?
- Hur förhåller sig den övergripande kommunala planeringen av de gröna banden och förtätningen till varandra, i Uppsala stad mellan åren 1958–2016?
Kvalitativa dokumentanalyser av Uppsala kommuns övergripande planer från 1958–2016 legat till grund för arbetets metod. En enklare litteraturstudie har även genomförts för att kontextualisera innehållet i planerna.
Planeringen av de gröna banden har gått från att främst fokusera på deras rekreativa funktioner, till att även inkludera sociala och ekologiska perspektiv i högre utsträckning. När planeringen går över till att ha större hållbarhetsfokus tycks dock värden kopplade bland annat till estetik och kulturhistoria få mindre utrymme i planerna. Strukturen av banden går från att främst löpa radiellt genom staden till ett mer oregelbundet mönster. Det sker för att de tidigare planerna strävar efter att förbinda staden med naturen utanför, medan de senare också ämnar förbinda grönytorna inom staden med varandra. Banden får sammantaget betydligt mer utrymme i de senare planerna än i de tidigare. Samtidigt är de senare planerna mer positivt inställda till förtätning. Framför allt i 2010 och 2016 års planer märks konflikten mellan förtätningen och de gröna banden allt mer. Banden lyfts fram som viktiga, bara för att sedan bebyggas i strävan efter ett mer kompakt Uppsala. De gröna banden må formellt sett ha högre status i 2000-talets planer, men de är samtidigt under större hot, från kommunens egen planering.Within the field of urban planning where many landscape architects conduct their work, the topics urban densification and green infrastructure are recurring. Within the green infrastructure you can find what this study refers to as “green ribbons”. These ribbons consist of somewhat narrow, unpaved areas with vegetation that cut through the city. This study examines how Uppsala's comprehensive plans have planned for these ribbons between 1958-2016, and how urban densification has influenced this development. The following two questions guide the study:
- How has the planning of green ribbons evolved within the municipal comprehensive planning of Uppsala city between 1958–2016?
- How does the comprehensive municipal planning of the green ribbons relate to that of urban densification in Uppsala city between 1958–2016?
Qualitative document analyses of Uppsala Municipality's comprehensive plans from 1958–2016 form the foundation of the study's methodology. A simple literature review has also been conducted to contextualize the content of the plans.
The planning of the ribbons has shifted from primarily focusing on their recreational functions to increasingly incorporating social and ecological perspectives. When the planning started to pay more attention to sustainability it seems like values related to aesthetics and cultural history, for example, has been given less space in the plans though. The structure of the ribbons in the older plans is mostly radial and more irregular in the newer ones. That is because the older plans aim to connect the city with the outside nature, while the newer ones also strive to connect the green spaces within the city. Overall, the ribbons receive significantly more attention in the later plans than in the earlier ones. At the same time, the later plans are more favourable toward densification. Especially in the 2010 and 2016 plans, the conflict between urban densification and the ribbons becomes increasingly evident. The ribbons are often promoted as important, only to be exploited in the pursuit of a more compact Uppsala. Although the ribbons may formally have a higher status in the 21st-century plans, they are also under greater threat from the municipality's own planning
Årummet in Uppsala : a design proposal for a pedestrian-friendly urban space along the river with social urban life
Get PDFArbetet syftar till att undersöka hur centrala gator och torg i en stad kan utformas med fokus på gångvänlighet och utrymme för möten och vistelse. Målet med arbetet är att utveckla ett idéförslag för de centrala delarna av Årummet i Uppsalas innerstad; Västra Ågatan, Fyristorg och Östra Ågatan. Arbetet utgår från Uppsala kommuns vision om en gångvänlig innerstad med levande stadsliv och ett årum med plats för vistelse och möten. Även medborgarnas önskemål om förbättrade gångförhållanden och plats för vistelse. Årummet innefattar miljöerna intill Fyrisån som rinner genom Uppsala och är en centralt belägen plats i staden med många historiska lager. Idag är de centrala delarna av Årummet gator och torg som fylls av varierad trafik och parkering och där gångtrafikanternas utrymme är begränsat. De teoretiska utgångspunkterna fokuserar på stadens offentliga rum för människan och utformningen av dessa för att främja mänsklig aktivitet. De fokuserar även på gångvänliga städer och de sammansatta trafikregleringarna inom ett gångfartsområde och shared space. I studien genomfördes en platsanalys av Årummets grundförutsättningar och sammanhang i staden. För att förstå platsens roll i staden och de historiska lager som finns inom Årummet genomfördes en mindre historisk studie. Jan Gehls 12 kvalitetskriterier användes i kombination med att observera den mänskliga aktiviteten för att få en förståelse för hur Årummet används samt utvärdera platsens kvaliteter för att människor ska vilja vistas och spendera tid på platsen. Med hjälp av analysmetoderna kunde styrkor och svagheter för vistelsevärden och gångvänlighet i Årummet identifieras. För att inspireras genomfördes platsbesök på referensplatser, både gator och torg, där gångtrafikanten har prioriterats och det finns utrymme för vistelse. Analyserna tillsammans med teoretiska utgångspunkter och referensplatserna låg till grund för ett idéförslag av Årummet där gångtrafikanten prioriteras och stadsrummen lämnar utrymme för vistelse, möten och umgänge. Avslutningsvis diskuteras resultatet och de metoder som användes för att besvara frågeställningen.The study aims to explore how streets and squares in central cities can be designed with a focus on walkability and space for stay and gatherings. The goal of the project is to develop a conceptual proposal for the central parts of Årummet in Uppsala’s city centre: Västra Ågatan, Fyristorg, and Östra Ågatan. The study is based on Uppsala Municipality's vision of a pedestrian-friendly city centre with a vibrant urban life and a river space with space for gatherings and meetings, as well as citizens' requests for improved walking conditions and spaces for stay. Årummet includes the environments alongside the river Fyrisån, which runs through Uppsala. The central parts of Årummet is located in the city centre and in an area with many historical layers. Today, the central parts of Årummet consist of streets and a square filled with varying traffic and parking, where space for pedestrians is limited. The theoretical framework focuses on cities public spaces for people and their design to promote human activity. It also focuses on walkable cities and the composite traffic regulations within a pedestrian zone and shared space. A site analysis of Årummet’s fundamental conditions and context within the city was conducted as part of the study. To understand the site’s role in the city and the historical layers present within Årummet, a minor historical study was carried out. Jan Gehl’s 12 quality criteria were used in combination with observing human activity to gain an understanding of how Årummet is used and to evaluate the site's qualities for encouraging people to spend time there. Through the analysis methods, strengths and weaknesses related to the value of the space for gatherings and walkability in Årummet were identified. To gain inspiration, visits to reference locations, both streets and squares, where pedestrians are prioritized and there is space for staying, were conducted. The analyses, together with the theoretical framework and reference locations, formed the basis for a conceptual proposal for Årummet where pedestrians are prioritized, and urban spaces provide room for gatherings, meetings, and socializing. Finally, the results and the methods used to answer the research question are discussed
Overview of swedish outdoor pig production : possibilities and limitations
Get PDFThe majority of Swedish pigs are found within the conventional, indoor system. This system is becoming less and less socially acceptable. Alternative systems usually offer more time outdoors and on bare ground which facilitates the possibility for pigs to perform natural behaviours. The Swedish outdoor pig production consists of farming for commercial meat consumption but there are also those who keep pigs for other purposes like preservation and as pets. The aim of this study is to gain an overview of the Swedish outdoor pig production and to investigate relevant aspects that might affect this type of production system. An online survey was conducted where anyone who kept at least one pig outside on bare ground, year-round or part of the year, could participate. The results indicated that the purpose of keeping pigs mainly was to sell live animals, meat and for private meat consumption. The main challenges related to outdoor pig production were access to water during winter, fencing, poorly adapted regulations and a lack of knowledge by both society as well as agents within the industry of outdoor pig production. It can be concluded that there are differences in how and why pigs are kept outdoors in Sweden and that this variety leads to complex challenges
Molecular and evolutionary study of chromosomal gene clusters active during male reproductive development in Arabidopsis thaliana
Get PDFThis project aimed to develop a gene-editing system to knock out (KO) genes in Cluster 8 of Arabidopsis thaliana, which are involved in pollen development. Building on the findings of Reimegård et al. (2017) and Xie et al. (2015), the project generated a synthetic dicistronic sgRNA gene (SDRG) and CRISPR/Cas9 system to create targeted KOs of genes with high linkage disequilibrium. The Final Vector containing this system was successfully assembled and can be used for follow-up functional analyses. Phylogenetic analysis indicated significant genetic redundancy within the PME gene family, complicating functional studies. Removing gene redundancy is expected to reveal more pronounced phenotypes. Initial T1 generation screening showed promising results, with 15% of genotyped individuals scoring positive for the inserted transgene. The technology developed herein can help further elucidate plants’ reproductive development and holds the potential for developing alternative methods to induce male sterility, contributing to hybrid vigour in crops. Overall, this project underscored the complexity of multifactorial genetic experiments and provided a foundation for future investigations into the functional roles of Cluster 8 genes in pollen development
Hållbar Urban Form : en utvärdering av svenska stadstyper
Get PDFAchieving a sustainable urban form has been explored in multiple academic papers, with the primary objective of framing and evaluating the dimensions of sustainability. This thesis aims to understand the concept of sustainable urban form and evaluate how Swedish urban typologies score in this context. The complexity of sustainable urban form is evident due to its numerous interrelated dimensions. While this thesis does not delve deeply into policy, governance, or user behaviour aspects, it concludes by comparing the performance of Swedish urban typologies and constructing a framework for a sustainable urban form.
The scoping literature review reveals that the concept of sustainable urban form intersects with multiple planning ideals, such as the eco-city, urban compaction, and the compact city. This indicates the absence of a one-size-fits-all ideal. Synthesising the discourse on urban intensification highlights the challenges in achieving denser, more sustainable urban environments. It requires a nuanced understanding of the interplay between urban development, community engagement, and environmental stewardship. This discourse underscores the need for inclusive planning processes that recognise diverse interests and capacities, positioning urban intensification as a comprehensive approach to fostering sustainable, vibrant, and inclusive environments.
Aligning density with built form and the broader urban context remains crucial, challenging planners to reconcile quantitative measures with qualitative urban experiences. Assessments of Swedish urban typologies reveal no single typology scores highly across all dimensions. Patterns emerge, such as typologies farther from the city centre having more visible sky and lower Floor Space Index and Ground Space Index, indicating less compact urban fabrics. These typologies are prone to infill densification in contemporary planning, highlighting the challenge of densifying already compact forms without compromising quality of life aspects like daylight and greenery.
Developing an analytical framework to assess the contribution of different urban building typologies to sustainability is essential. This framework must consider reducing space and water demand, power and lighting use, and motorised transport while increasing self-sufficiency in lifestyle practices. The need for diverse types of compact development, accounting for local regulations and social preferences, is crucial. Compact development should enhance liveability rather than focus solely on densification, incorporating elements of human scale and quality of place
The Effect of Ammonium Sulphate on methane emissions when added to organic fertilizers
Get PDFMethane (CH4) is the most common greenhouse gas being emitted from Sweden’s agriculture, where approximately 4.5% of Sweden’s total emission in 2022 originated from livestock manure storage facilities, highlighting the importance of optimizing manure degradation processes. This study was part of a project led by Research Institutes of Sweden, which aimed to investigate if CH4 emissions could be reduced by adding ammonium sulphate ((NH4)2SO4) to organic fertilizers. The quantitative study was conducted under mesophilic conditions (37°C) for 29 days, focusing on the effects added (NH4)2SO4 had on samples of two types of digestates and one type of cattle manure. In addition to CH4 emission, hydrogen sulphide (H2S) emissions – known for its toxicity at low concentrations - were measured. The study also examined changes in volatile solids (VS), pH levels, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) composition before and after the experiment.
The results were conclusive, CH4 emissions were reduced when (NH4)2SO4 was added to the respective fertilizer. However, H2S emission increased significantly in all samples containing (NH4)2SO4. This suggests that adding (NH4)2SO4 to organic fertilizers could potentially be a way of reducing CH4 emission during the storage of digestates or animal manures. However, further research is needed to determine its applicability under farm conditions. Additionally, it is crucial to assess the risks posed by H2S exposure to workers handling such materials under realistic working conditions
Extraction of proteins from seaweed with high functionality and the applications of seaweed in food products
Get PDFDemand for food production has increased due to population growth. There is a necessity to explore alternative proteins that can substitute animal-derived proteins. Seaweed, a sustainable and nutrient-rich resource, has gained attention as a potential alternative protein and essential nutrient source that has the potential to contribute to the growing global demand for sustainable food solutions. Numerous conventional methods are available for extracting protein from seaweed; however, these traditional techniques frequently result in low yields because of the complex cellular matrix. In this study, the aim was to develop a novel method that could potentially enhance protein extraction from dried seaweed biomass. For protein extraction from brown seaweed (Saccharina latissima), three different methods were developed. In the first method, seaweed powder was added to milli-Q water (1:50) and stirred for 1 h, in the second phase solition was stirred for 24 h, and for the third phase, solution was subjected to overnight freezing at -80 ℃. Following these steps, protein was extracted by pH method. Among the methods evaluated, the O-N freezing technique demonstrated superior efficacy in protein extraction. Protein concentrations were higher in samples extracted using the Over Night Freezing (O-N freezing) method compared to the 1 h method. The 24 h method demonstrated a higher ζ-potential and larger particle size than the other methods, contributing to enhanced solution stability. Additionally microstructural analysis revealed that emulsions prepared with the 24 h method had a more uniform droplet size distribution. SE-HPLC analysis revealed that most of the high and low molecular weight proteins were effectively extracted during the initial SDS-phosphate buffer extraction, with minimal protein recovery in subsequent steps. Additionally, seaweed was incorporated into tortilla bread, and sensory evaluations indicated positive consumer interest and acceptance, with most participants expressing willingness to recommend the seaweed-enriched bread