Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

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    Tillbud och olyckor i två hästverksamheter – hästrelaterade incidenter på ridskolan Strömsholm och Flyinge

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    Riding related injuries are classified as a major health problem, previous research said its due to unpredictable behavior of the horses. In recent years, fatal riding accident have decreased, but accidents have instead increased. To reduce the number of injuries, employers are obliged to carry out systematic work where incidents and accidents are reported. To improve the working environment, the horse industry´s national facilitets work actively with this. The problem this study has focused on that during the latest years, the knowledge about the events that leads to medical attention increast but there is a lack of knowledge about events that do not lead to medical attention. It is also unknown how many these events are as they have not previously been studied. This is important to investigate to reduce accidents in the horse industry and prevent accidents with personal injury. The aim of the study was to map accidents and incidents linked to horse handling to increase knowledge of how accident can be prevented. The questions were, What does the distribution look like between incidents and accidents? In which activity are the most event reports written? The purpose and questions of the study were answered through a sorting of incidents and accidents at Flyinge and riding school Strömsholm during the years 2020 to 2022. The result shows that there is a significant difference (p=<0,001) between the different main categories where most events occur in horse training. The distribution was 71 percent horse training, 18 percent stable work and horse handling and 11 percent farriery. There were three times as many incidents of minor injury and almost nine times as many incidents of serious injury. In horse training, it was jumping including groundwork that had the most events followed by trail riding and it differed between events (p=0,003). Stable work and horse handling had the most events, followed by horse handling, and tended to differ (p=0,06) between events. In farriery, shoeing and trimming was the most common event, followed by blacksmithing, and no significant difference between events was shown. In farriery, it was possible to see that minor injuries accounted for more than half of all incidents. The study´s conclusions show that jumping, including groundwork, is the activity where the most incident reports are written, with a significant difference to other activities, where falling off is the most common reason for an incident report. The activity with the second most event reports is trail riding, followed closely by dressage. The study shows that activities with more factors are the ones where it is most common for incidents to occur, but that the study showed fewer incidents than previous studies which indicates positive preventive work. The distribution between incident and accidents looks like 70 percent are incidents and 30 percent are accidents, which has not differed significantly between years. The study shows active work to minimize the number of incidents and demonstrates a need for further studies to see how to reduce the number of incidents.Ridrelaterade skador är klassat som ett stort hälsoproblem, enligt tidigare forskning beroende på hästarnas oförutsägbara beteende. Under de senaste åren har dödsolyckor i ridning minskat men olycksfall har i stället ökat. För att försöka minska antalet skador så är arbetsgivare skyldiga att genomföra ett systematiskt arbete där tillbud och olyckshändelser ska rapporteras in. För att öka arbetsmiljön så jobbar hästnäringens riksanläggningar aktivt med det här. Problemet den här studien har fokuserat på är att under de senaste åren har kunskapen om händelser som leder till läkarvård ökat men det saknas kunskap om det händelser som inte leder till läkarvård. Det är okänt hur många dessa händelser är då de inte tidigare studeras. Detta är viktigt att undersöka för att kunna minska risken för olyckor inom hästbranschen samt förebygga olyckor med personskada. Studiens syfte var att kartlägga olyckor och tillbud kopplade till hästhantering för att öka kunskapen om hur olyckor kan förebyggas. Frågeställningarna var; Hur ser fördelningen ut mellan tillbud och olyckor? Vid vilken aktivitet skrivs flest händelserapporter? Studiens syfte och frågeställningar besvarades genom en sortering av tillbud- och olyckshändelser på Flyinge och Ridskolan Strömsholm under åren 2020 till 2022. Resultatet visade att det finns en signifikant skillnad (p=<0,001) mellan det olika huvudkategorierna där de flesta händelser sker i samband med träning av häst. Fördelningen var 71 procent träning av häst, 18 procent stallarbete och hästhantering samt 11 procent hovslageri. Det gick tre gånger så många tillbud som lindrig skada och nästan nio gånger så många tillbud mot allvarlig skada. I träning av häst var det hoppning inklusive markarbete som hade flest händelser följt utav uteritt och det skiljde mellan det olika händelserna (p=0,003). Stallarbete och hästhantering hade leda häst flest händelser följt av hästhantering och hade en tendens till skillnad (p=0.06) mellan händelserna. I hovslageri var skoning och verkning av häst den vanligaste händelsen följt av smide och här visade sig ingen signifikant skillnad mellan händelserna. I hovslageri gick det att se att lindrig skada utgjorde mer än hälften av alla händelser. Studiens slutsatser visar att hoppning inklusive markarbete är den aktivitet där flest händelserapporter skrivs med en signifikant skillnad mot övriga aktiviteter, där avramling är den vanligaste orsaken till en händelserapport. Den aktiviteten med näst flest händelserapporter är uteritt strax följt av dressyr. Studien visar att aktiviteter med fler faktorer är de där det är vanligast att händelser sker men att studien påvisade färre händelser än tidigare studier vilket tyder på ett positivt förebyggande arbete. Fördelningen mellan tillbud och olyckor ser ut så att 70 procent är tillbud och 30 procent är olyckor vilket inte har skilt sig signifikant mellan åren. Studien visar ett aktivt arbete för att minimera antalet händelser och påvisar ett behov av vidare studier för att se hur man ska kunna minska antalet händelser

    Återhämtning eller fortsatt försurning?

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    In order to study how the pool of sulphate and base cations in the soil have changed during the last 10-15 years, time trends on calculated sulphate and base cation budgets for eight small Swedish catchments, were investigated. In addition, a comparison between two methods for dry deposition estimation was performed. Despite a decline in acid sulphur deposition over Sweden, only small signs of recovery can be seen in nature. This might be due to an acidificating net loss of sulphur from the soil pool, where an accumulation could have taken places during periods with high deposition. The pool of base cations in soil may also have been reduced and it might take time for the pool to recover. Such accumulations and reductions can be studied with budget calculations. However existing budgets are uncertain mainly because of difficulties to estimate dry deposition correctly. In this study, dry deposition of sulphur and base cations were calculated by their chloride ratio. Dry deposition of chloride was calculated from the difference in chloride in bulk deposition and stream water. In addition, another method using vegetation maps together with the ratio between throughfall and bulk deposition at sites near the studied areas, was utilized to get an alternative estimation. A decrease in the soil pool can be seen and this, along with the fact that the decrease of sulphate in stream water does not follow the decrease in total deposition, indicates that the catchments are leaking sulphate. In the southern parts of Sweden the losses from soil were bigger than in the northern parts. Changes in the soil pool of base cations were in general small, apart from a great negative trend in the pool of sodium in the most southern site. All changes, however, can be explained by changed marine impact, since no trends for non­marine base cations could be found except in one northern site. The two methods for dry deposition estimation gave different results. The method using vegetation maps indicated less dry deposition of sulphate than the method using chloride ratios. The map method gave negative dry deposition of non-marine base cations. This is incorrect and is a result of that the data used showed less throughfall than bulk deposition for many areas. However, the vegetation correction included in the map method can be useful for other monitoring sites, since it can be utilized for correcting throughfall measurements made in vegetation types not representative for the whole monitoring area

    Pesticides in Stream and Pond Sediments of the Vemmenhog Area, a Small Agricultural Catchment in Southern Sweden

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    In April 2000, bed sediment cores were collected at three locations in the Vemmenhog area, an intensively farmed catchment in southern Sweden. Additional samples of surface and mobile sediments were collected from April to September at one of the locations. The sediment samples were analysed for 20 pesticides, including 9 herbicides, 3 fungicides and 8 insecticides. The aim of the investigation was to study 1) the occurrence and distribution of mostly currently used pesticides in bed sediment and 2) their temporal variation in surface and mobile sediment during the cropping season. This to examine if these sediments could be used as a 'fingerprint' of historical use as well as reflect current use of pesticides in the area. In addition to this the results were compared with the results of an investigation performed in 1990/91 at the same locations. Altogether 10 pesticides, including 4 herbicides ( diflufenican, diuron, isoproturon and methabenzthiazuron), 2 fungicides (fenpropimorph and propiconazole) and 4 insecticides (DDT, esfenvalerate, permethrin and pirimicarb) were detected. The results show that streambed and pond sediments act as sinks for hydrophobic pesticides in the Vemmenhog area. Six out of twelve pesticides in this investigation having log Kow-values above 3.5 were detected. Of the remaining six pesticides, having log Kow-values above 3.5, five were pesticides which had very limited use in the area during the last decade. Most of the detected pesticides showed distribution trends in concentration with depth. The results imply that bed sediments in the area has the potential for being used as a historical 'fingerprint' of inputs of pesticides to the freshwater sediment ecosystem. With few exceptions the distribution of pesticide concentrations down through the sediment cores indicate that the input of pesticides to the sediments in the Vemmenhog area are decreasing. To get a more accurate picture, methods of dating relatively young alluvial deposits are needed. Further, it would be valuable to investigate the temporal and spatial variation in sedimentation patterns at the collection sites more thoroughly. Concentrations of most pesticides detected in surface and mobile sediment showed little temporal variation during the collection period. No elevated amounts of pesticides were found in periods following pesticide application or rain as is common for pesticides detected in surface water in the area. The lack of any trends for most of the detected pesticides is likely an effect of their strong sorption and slow movement in soil in addition with a small or insignificant contribution of pesticides from spills, spray drift and surface runoff, during the investigation period

    Effects of modern pesticides on bacterial activity and denitrification in lake sediment

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    Microcosm studies were performed to observe the effects of modern pesticides on denitrification and bacterial activity in lake sediment. Ecotoxicologically relevant test concentrations were retrieved from a Dutch study that presents Negligible Concentrations (NC) and Maximum Permissible Concentrations (MPC) for modern pesticides, i.e. concentrations critical for the environmental compartments water, soil, and sediment. Four functionally different pesticides, isoproturon (herbicide), deltamethrin and pirimicarb (insecticides) and captan (fungicide) were tested. None of the four tested pesticides had a consistent negative effect on bacterial activity or denitrification. Bacterial activity was, however, affected positively by pirimicarb. No other treatment effects were found for bacterial activity. Apparently, denitrification was affected positively by pirimicarb, isoproturon and deltametrin. Denitrifying bacteria seem to be able to use the tested pesticides as a carbon source when carbon deficiency prevails. A general decrease in denitrification over time for all treatments, especially in the controls, supports the theory that the denitrifying bacteria suffered from carbon depletion. Therefore, the addition of a carbon source in ecotoxicological studies with bacteria is recommended

    Community based ecotourism for biodiversity in Africa : a literature review with a focus on Kenya

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    Ecotourism became in recent years a significant strategy for the African government in order to manage resources and boost Africans´ local economies. However many local communities remain underdeveloped, creating a challenge for sustainability and economic growth. The adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been essential for addressing environmental degradation and enhancing the quality of life in rural areas in the third world. Specifically, ecotourism helps achieve SDGs 12.2 and 15.2, which focus on the sustainable management of natural resources and the promotion of forest preservation. Community-based ecotourism plays a vital role in biodiversity conservation by offering a sustainable response to environmental and climatic challenges. This literature study examines the intricate relationship between ecotourism and ecosystem preservation in Africa, particularly in Kenya, highlighting one of the continent´s choices as a model for balancing economic needs. Mass tourism has declined due to its exploitative nature, whereas ecotourism emphasizes sustainable practices. Key elements of successful ecotourism programs include local community involvement and empowerment. Responsible tourism practices, such as low-impact accommodations and environmental education, can reduce the ecological footprint of visitors. Africa's diverse ecosystems, from savannas to rainforests, are home to unique species. Community-based ecotourism not only provides sustainable livelihoods but also encourages the conservation of these ecosystems. By creating economic incentives for biodiversity preservation, local communities become the guardians of their natural heritage

    Livet efter bruket : en gestaltningsstudie av sockerbruksområdet i Köpingebro

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    Postindustriella landskap är något som finns i mer eller mindre alla industrialiserade länder idag. Dessa platser uppkommer ofta som en konsekvens av ändrade ekonomiska, sociala eller fysiska förändringar. I den rådande miljökrisen är det väsentligt att arbeta nytänkande genom att utnyttja och arbeta med de resurser som vi redan har. En sådan resurs kan vara postindustriella miljöer, vilka innehar kvaliteter som inte värderas idag. Dessa platser utgörs ofta till stor del av ruderatmark, det vill säga, mark som störts av mänsklig påverkan. Det är områden som brukar ses enbart som skräpmarker vilket medför att de ofta förbises i planering. Arbetets grund har därmed blivit att undersöka hur vi kan tillvarata, utveckla och bevara dessa miljöer för att på så vis även ta vara på dess ekologiska och kulturella kvaliteter. Målet för arbetet har varit att ta fram ett gestaltningsförslag för en postindustriell miljö, där utgångspunkten för utformningen ligger i platsens befintliga värden. Platsen som arbetet utgått ifrån är sockerbruksområdet i Köpingebro, ett nedlagt fabriksområde beläget i en mindre sydskånsk by. Arbetet har gjorts för att belysa ruderatmarkens kvaliteter som landskapselement vid omgestaltning av denna typ av miljö. Vidare är syftet även att lyfta den postindustriella miljön som karaktärsgivande element för en ort i omvandling. Genom detta undersöks hur postindustriella miljöer och dess ruderatmark kan utvecklas, bevaras och stärkas i en omgestaltningsprocess. För att öka förståelsen och utöka kunskapen för den postindustriella miljön och den ruderata vegetationen har en litteraturstudie genomförts. Litteraturstuden blev sedan grund för gestaltningsarbetet tillsammans med undersökningar av platsens förutsättningar och läge i landskapet. Dessa undersökningar gjordes med hjälp kartanalyser, dokumentstudier, platsbesök, fältarbete och modellbyggande. Förslagets utformning tar grund i platsens befintliga förutsättningar och strukturer, där vi sedan har arbetat med tillägg för att öka platsernas funktionalitet och estetik. Gestaltningsförslaget består av tre delområden, dessa fungerar som ett grönskande stråk med varierad ruderatmarksvegetation som löper genom området. De fungerar också som en ryggrad för området, där dess industrihistoria kan träda fram och samspela med det nya bostadsområdet i områdets övriga delar. Arbetet har visat att utvecklingen av postindustriella miljöer kräver anpassningsbarhet och förståelse för att tillvarata dessa platsers materiella och immateriella värden. Arbetet har också visat på hur man kan ta vara på dessa ytors outnyttjade potential.Postindustrial landscapes exist in more or less the entire developed world today. They often exist as a consequence due to economic, social or physical changes. In the current climate crisis, we need to innovate how we work with and use the resources that we already have on hand. One such resource could be the postindustrial landscapes; these are places which possess qualities that are underappreciated. These environments often largely consist of brownfields/ruderal sites, sites that have previously been disturbed by human intervention. These are places that are usually only seen as wastelands, and as such they are often overlooked in planning. The basis of this work has therefore been to investigate how we can utilize, develop and preserve these environments in order to take advantage of their ecological and cultural qualities. The aim of this thesis has been to develop a design proposal for a postindustrial environment, where the design is based on the existing qualities of the site. The site chosen for the work is Sockerbruksområdet in Köpingebro, a closed down factory site located in a small town in southern Scania. The project has been done to highlight the qualities that brownfields/ruderal sites can have as a landscape element in the transformation of sites like these. Furthermore, the purpose has been to elevate the postindustrial environment as a characteristic element for a village in a transformation process. By doing this we can explore how the postindustrial environments and brownfields/ruderal sites can be developed, preserved and strengthened in a redesign process. A literature study has been conducted to increase our understanding and to expand our knowledge of postindustrial sites and the ruderal vegetation. This literature study became the foundation of our design work, together with studies of the site’s condition and place in the landscape as a whole. These studies were made with map analysis, document studies, site visits, fieldwork, and model making. The design of the proposal is based on the preexisting conditions of the site and its structures, where we then work with additions to increase the site’s functionality and esthetics. The design proposal is composed of three sub-areas, these function as a lush green corridor with varied ruderal vegetation that runs through Sockerbruksområdet. Here its industrial heritage can emerge and interact with the coming residential area in the other parts of the site. The project has shown us that development of post-industrial environments require adaptability and understanding to utilize the tangible and intangible values of these places. It has also shown a way in which you can realize the untapped potential of these spaces in a planning context

    Exploring Sustainable Urban Coexistence in Umeå, Sweden : Citizens’ Preferences Regarding Policy Interventions to Improve Dogs, Wildlife, and Human Welfare

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    Pets and wildlife are overlooked in sustainable urban planning. At the same time, densification and expansion of cities increase pressure on green spaces and their users. Urban green spaces (UGS) can be planned to support the welfare of humans, and potentially the welfare of wildlife and pets. Here, we used a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to explore citizens’ preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for several policy interventions that can potentially improve dogs, wildlife, and human welfare, in Umeå, northern Sweden. We document that Umeå citizens value the connectedness of UGS as much as implementing compulsory dog owner education expressed in terms of tax on gross income (i.e. 1.688% vs 1.669%). Additionally, we report a similar positive WTP for increased UGS coverage, as for including dogs’ needs in UGS planning (0.396% for 24% of UGS coverage, vs 0.393%). We found an overall WTP for the tested interventions equivalent to an additional yearly tax of 4.146% for 10 years (22,479 SEK per person per year) when citizens were not asked to increase the level of engagement in the decision-making process for UGS planning. Otherwise, if asked to participate more, the overall WTP was 3.568% (19,266 SEK per person per year). This sums up to a total WTP of 1.8 billion SEK per year, which would according to a preliminary assessment, be enough to construct 155 ha UGS. Our case study suggests that Umeå citizens were willing to pay for policy interventions that can improve their welfare but also for policies that can potentially improve animal welfare, indicating a willingness to coexist. Hence, we contribute to the literature that explores more-than-human-tailored urban environments. Ultimately, this study aims to move us one step forward toward a sustainable urban coexistence between dogs, wildlife, and humans

    Sudeten larch – an alternative for forests in southern Sweden?

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    Den svenska skogsbranschen möter betydande utmaningar med de globala klimatförändringarna som hotar framtida råvaruförsörjning. Högst troligtvis bidrar klimatförändringar till ökade stormar och en övergång till varmare och torrare förhållanden. Det varmare klimatet främjar en miljö som ökar risken för biotiska och abiotiska skador, vilket äventyrar framtiden för svenska skogar. De dominerande trädslagen i svenskt skogsbruk, gran och tall, hotas av klimatförändringar, vilket kräver övervägande av alternativa trädarter för att säkra framtida råvaruförsörjning. Klimatförändringarna innebär även nya möjligheter med längre vegetationsperiod och ökad temperatur som ger bättre förutsättningar för tillväxt, något som kan användas som fördel för att producera mer biomassa och motverka den globala uppvärmningen genom omställning till fossilfri råvara. Lärkträdslagen framstår som lovande alternativ med snabb tillväxt och produktion av både timmer och massaved. Även lärk kommer att påverkas av klimatförändringar men kanske kan en ökad diversifiering i skogsbruket göra att man sprider riskerna för framtida skador och på så sätt blir det mer motståndskraftiga skogar. Studien behandlar ett försök baserat på Skogforsks initiativ att jämföra olika lärkmaterial i tillväxt- och kvalitetsegenskaper med fokus på europeisk lärk från bergskedjan Sudeterna i jämförelse med det lärkmaterial som används i Sverige idag; europeisk lärk från svenskt arkiv, hybridlärk och rysk lärk. Den genomförda fältinventeringen och databearbetning gav inblick i variation av höjd- och kvalitetsegenskaper på olika lokaler och lärkmaterial. Exempelvis visade höjden signifikant variation, med europeisk lärk från Sudeterna som presterade bäst. För kvalitetsegenskaper utmärkte sig rysk lärk bäst gentemot de andra lärkmaterialen. Resultaten belyser komplexiteten i att välja lämpliga material för framtida planteringar med målet att optimera tillväxt och kvalitet i en föränderlig framtid. Studien visar att europeisk lärk från Sudeterna konkurrerar med det lärkmaterial som används i Sverige idag vid både tillväxt och kvalitetsegenskaper, och att det finns stora möjligheter som produktionsträdslag i sydsvenska skogar, både som rent trädslag och för hybridisering.The Swedish forestry sector faces significant challenges due to global climate change, posing a threat to future raw material supply. Climate change likely contributes to increased storms, and a shift towards warmer and drier conditions. The warmer climate fosters an environment conducive to new biotic and abiotic threats, jeopardizing the future of Swedish forests. Dominant tree species in Swedish forestry, such as spruce and pine, are under threat from climate change, necessitating consideration of alternative species to secure future raw material supply. Climate change also presents opportunities with longer vegetation periods and increased temperatures that provide better conditions for growth, something that can be used as an advantage to produce more biomass and counteract global warming through a transition to fossil-free raw materials. Larch species emerge as promising alternatives with rapid growth, production of both timber and pulpwood, and resilience to climate change. The study focuses on an experiment initiated by Skogforsk to compare various larch materials in terms of growth and quality characteristics, with a focus on European larch from the Sudeten compared to the larch material that is used in Sweden today; European larch from the Swedish archive, hybrid larch, and Russian larch. Field inventories and data processing provide insights into variation in height and quality characteristics across different locations and materials. For instance, height growth exhibits significant variation, with European larch from the Sudeten performing the best. For quality characteristics, Russian larch stood out the most compared to the other larch materials. The results highlight the complexity of selecting suitable material for future plantations with the goal of optimizing growth and quality. The study shows that European larch from the Sudeten Mountains competes with latch materials used in Sweden today in terms of both growth and quality characteristics and that there are great opportunities as a production tree species for forests in southern Swedish, both as a pure tree species and for hybridization

    Occurrence of snow blight in continuous cover forestry method of Chequered-Gap-Shelterwood-system in Västerbotten

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    Skogen är och har länge varit en viktig resurs för länet Västerbotten och den står för cirka 14 procent av den produktiva skogsmarksarealen i Sverige. Skogen i Västerbotten har brukats sedan medeltiden från småskaligt hushållsbehov till storskaligt skogsbruk i modern tid. Under sent 1800-tal ökade avverkningstakten i de norrländska skogarna i form av dimensions- och plockhuggning. Resultatet av blädningsbruket var bestånd med låga virkesförråd och otillfredsställande återväxt. Trakthyggesbruket slog igenom ordentligt efter andra världskriget och resulterade i stora hyggen för att restaurera de restskogar som fanns kvarlämnade efter blädningsepoken. En av orsakerna till detta omdiskuterade skogsbruk, med stora vindöppna hyggen, var att förhindra spridning och angrepp av snöskyttesvampen. Skogsdebatter i Sverige har förändrat synen på det traditionella skogsbruket och en omställning från traditionellt skogsbruk till kontinuitetsskogsbruk har påbörjats. Under senare år har man diskuterat olika former av kontinuitetsskogsbruk och hur dessa skall implementeras. Olika försök med hyggesfria metoder har anlagts i norra Sverige i form av bland annat schackrutehuggningar. Snöskyttesvampen är en parasitsvamp som angriper främst tall men även andra barrträd. Svampen gynnas av ett varaktigt och djupt snötäcke vilket den lever och frodas i. Snöskytte sprids med hjälp av snö från individ till individ och kan döda hela bestånd med föryngringar. Små luckor med lågt ljusinsläpp, varaktigt snötäcke, risk för drivbildning och lucker snö kan vara gynnsamt för svampen och en nackdel vid den hyggesfria metoden schackrutehuggning. Snöskyttesvampen ingår i de multiskador som angriper ungskogar i norra Norrland och anses vara ett stort problem. En studie har genomförts i syfte att undersöka förekomsten av snöskyttesvampen i den hyggesfria metoden schackrutehuggning i Västerbottens län. Inventeringar i fält med datainsamling har utförts i pilotförsök vid Storjuktan i Sorsele kommun samt i Kulbäckslidens försökspark, Vindelns kommun. I båda försöken inventerades två schackrutehuggningar. För Storjuktan skedde inventeringen genom cirkelprovyteinventering och i Kulbäcksliden inventerades existerande parceller. Påträffade snöskytteskador mättes, dokumenterades och sammanställdes. Resultatet visade ingen förekomst av snöskytte i pilotförsök vid Storjuktan, emellertid var 92 procent av de skadade plantorna betade. I Kulbäcksliden ingick två delundersökningar: Kälmyrbränna och Storkåtatjärnsbäcken. I dessa undersökningar var cirka 3 respektive 4 procent av de inventerade plantorna angripna av snöskyttesvampen. I Storkåtatjärnsbäcken var de angripna plantorna till största del (63 procent) planterade plantor och i Kälmyrbränna var flest angripna naturligt föryngrade plantor (56 procent). Skador på barrmassan var i Storkåtatjärnsbäcken högre för naturligt föryngrade plantor än för planterade plantor (99,8 respektive 58 procent) medan det för Kälmyrbränna var tvärtom. Där hade satta plantor en högre andel skadad barrmassa (81,9 procent) i jämförelse med vad de naturligt föryngrade plantorna hade (74,7 procent). En slutsats av studien är att ingen koppling mellan snöskytte och snödjup kunde göras. Det gick heller inte att se något samband mellan luckans storlek och andelen snöskytteskadade plantor.The forest is and has long been an important resource for the county of Västerbotten and accounts for about 14 percent of the productive forest land area in Sweden. The forest in Västerbotten has been used since the Middle Ages, from small-scale household needs to large-scale forestry in modern times. During the late 1800s, the rate of felling in the forests of Norrland increased in the form of dimensional and selection felling. This resulted in stands with low timber stocks and poor, unsatisfactory regrowth. Tract felling came after the Second World War and resulted in large clearings to restore the residual forests left over from the thinning era. One of the reasons for this aggressive forestry with large clearings open to the wind was to prevent the spread and infestation of snow blight. Forestry debates in Sweden have changed the view of traditional forestry and the transition from traditional forestry to continuity forestry has begun. In recent years, various forms of continuity forestry have been discussed and how they should be implemented. Various experiments with continuous cover forestry methods have been set up in northern Sweden in the form of, for example, Chequered-Gap-Shelterwood-system. The snow blight fungus is a parasitic fungus that attacks mainly pine but also other conifers. The fungus favors a permanent and deep snow cover in which it lives and thrives. It is spread by snow from individual to individual and can kill entire stands of regeneration. Small gaps with low light penetration, persistent snow cover, risk of drifting and loose snow can be favorable to the fungus and a disadvantage in the continuous cover forestry method of Chequered-Gap-Shelterwood-system. Snow blight is part of the multi-damage that attacks young forests in northern Norrland and is considered a major problem. The aim was to investigate the occurrence of snow blight in the continuous cover forestry method of Chequered-Gap-Shelterwood-system in Västerbotten County. Inventories in the field with data collection have been carried out in the pilot trial Storjuktan in Sorsele municipality and in Kulbäckslidens experimental park, Vindeln municipality to investigate the occurrence of snow blight. In both trials, two Chequered-Gap-Shelterwood-system-sites were inventoried, in Storjuktan the inventory was done by circle sample inventory and in Kulbäcksliden existing plots were inventoried. Found snow blight damage was measured, documented and compiled. The result showed that no occurrence of snow blight was found in the pilot trial Storjuktan, however, 92 percent of the damaged plants were grazed. In Kulbäcksliden's two trials: Kälmyrbränna and Storkåtatjärnsbäcken, about 3 and 4 percent of the inventoried plants were infected by the snow blight fungus. In Storkåtatjärnsbäcken the infested plants were mostly (63 percent) planted seedlings and in Kälmyrbränna most of the infested plants were naturally regenerated seedlings (56 percent). Damage to the coniferous mass was higher for naturally regenerated seedlings than planted seedlings in Storkåtatjärnsbäcken 99.8 and 58 percent respectively for Kälmyrbränna it was the opposite where planted seedlings had a higher proportion of damaged coniferous mass (81.9 percent) compared to naturally regenerated seedlings (74.7 percent). Some conclusions from the study are that no connection between snow blight and snow depth could be made, the size of the gap and the proportion of snow blight damaged seedlings can therefore not be linked

    Public goods games for collective agri-environmental contracts design

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    This thesis conducts a structured literature review of public goods games (PGG) experiments to analyze the differences between laboratory and field studies and to understand whether farmers cooperate more or less than standard PGG subjects. In addition, novel data on public goods games conducted on European farmers from Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, and Poland are analyzed to understand the effect of heterogeneous starting endowments on cooperation. While farmers have higher cooperation levels on average, the difference between farmers and students are not statistically significant. German and Dutch farmers have higher contribution levels than Polish and Hungarian farmers in the standard version of the game, and heterogeneous endowments decrease cooperation levels except for Polish farmers. A reduction in cooperation levels under the heterogeneous endowment treatment is also found in the laboratory literature

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