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Häckvicker – Odla eller ogräs? : upptäcka en inhemsk baljväxt för svenska vallar
Get PDFIntroducing native legumes in grassland production systems in northern Sweden can maybe be a sustainable way to produce forage. This thesis examined whether the native perennial legume Vicia sepium L. would be suitable to introduce in forage production as a way of diversifying species composition used in leys. Two objectives were examined.The first objective focused on Swedish ethnobotanical history of V. sepium, encircling information on previous use and experience of this species as a crop. The second objective was to observe the range of natural environments in which V. sepium grows, focusing on the province of Jämtland, Sweden. Site characteristics and management of 15 randomly selected wild growth locations of V. sepium were noted, along with observations of the plant community. Soil samples were taken for analysis of soil texture, chemistry, and biology.
The results examining historical sources showed that already from the 18th century and onward, V. sepium was considered a good crop with many desirable qualities, such as palatability and durability when established. Up until the mid-20th century it was investigated in field trials on a modest scale and seed collected by farmers were traded to a limited degree. Nevertheless, V. sepium was considered a well-known and strong candidate for fodder production when Sweden scouted the Swedish flora for quality crops. Due to small scale production and wild traits, V. sepium was outcompeted by more easily accessible species. These other species entered from abroad and had reached further in breeding programmes.
Observations of the natural environments of V. sepium present this legume enjoying a quite wide range of habitats. It grows in lighter soils with a large diversity of species, as well as in habitats ranging from grassland to more shaded forest areas. It also handles disturbances well, seemingly with a fast regrowth if the growth site is cut.
Hence, introducing V. sepium in today’s forage production could be viable. It could support sustainable farming methods as the species suppress weed and show durability. Thus lessening the need of frequent tillage. It could also enhance sustainable farming methods by supporting ecosystem services such as pollination. Wider embracing of native perennial legumes such as V. sepium will require commitment from the seed production industry for seed production and distribution
Information about aquarium fish from Swedish zoo shops for pet owners. Examination of fact sheets based on legislation and science
Get PDFFish are kept for companionship and hobby due to reasons ranging from beauty to cultural significance. The tradition of keeping fish in captivity is ancient and dates to, among other things, the beginning of the Roman Empire. Many of today's fish kept in aquarium are now domesticated, and through prolonged breeding they are at various stages in the process of domestication. Many welfare problems threaten fish, including poor water quality, handling, transportation, overcrowding, poor diet, and diseases, both due to inadequate animal husbandry and breeding. Many of these problems can be prevented through adequate animal welfare legislation and accurate and good information to pet owners. In the Swedish animal welfare legislation, it is described that when selling fish in pet stores, a fact sheet must accompany the animal upon transfer to the owner. These fact sheets must also contain certain information about the care of the fish, listed in nine points. The purpose of this study was to investigate the quantity and quality of the information that Swedish pet stores provide to those who buy fish from them and to examine how well this information complies with animal welfare legislation requirements and to what extent it is based on scientific grounds. How the fact sheets were provided to pet owners was also investigated. Three pet stores from three major pet store chains in Sweden were visited, and fact sheets were requested from the store staff. Among the three pet stores, 128 fish species were for sale, and 102 of these species had an accompanying fact sheet. Of these, 100 were assessed based on their compliance with the legislation, and 99% of these did not meet all legislative requirements. Regarding the scientific basis of the information in the fact sheets, no conclusions could be drawn as too little research was found on the subject. The fact sheets were likely written and based on experience rather than science. The sample in this study was too small to draw any conclusions on a national level. More research needs to be done on the subject to know how pet store fact sheets comply with legislation and contain accurate information about fish husbandry on a national level
Förstudie av småskalig tillverkning av kvävegödsel med plasmateknik
Get PDFFör att försörja väldens växande befolkning med mat krävs höga skördar på jordbruksmark. Ett viktigt inslag för att uppnå detta är användningen av mineralgödsel som innehåller de tre huvudsakliga näringsämnena för grödor: kväve (N), fosfor (P) och kalium (K). Av dessa näringsämnen är kväve det mest efterfrågade av grödor. Traditionellt framställs kvävemineralgödsel genom att reagera vätgas (H2) med kvävgas (N2) för att producera ammoniak (NH3). En utmaning med denna process är att vätgasen vanligtvis produceras genom ångreformering av naturgas, vilket har negativ klimatpåverkan.
Företaget N2-Applied har utvecklat en plasmamaskin som använder elektricitet för att tillgodose grödor med kväve, N2-Applied kallar sin maskin för NEO (Nitrogen Enriched Organic Fertilizer), vilket kommer göras fortsättningsvis i rapporten. Genom att bryta bindningarna mellan kväve och syre i luften kan NEO producera nitrater (NOx). Dessa nitrater absorberas sedan i rötrest, vilket bildar nitratkväve (HNO3) eller nitrat i vatten (H+ + NO− 3 ). Växter kan använda nitrat som näring på samma sätt som ammoniak. Dessutom har tillsatsen av extra väte i rötresten en försurande effekt, vilket minskar utsläppen av metangas och lustgas, som i sin tur minskar klimatpåverkan från rötresten. Försurningen hjälper även till att minska oavsiktlig ammoniakförlust från rötresten, som annars skulle kunna nå grödorna. För att använda NEO krävs tillgång till rötrest, vilket är anledningen till att den installeras på en biogasanläggning.
Denna förstudie syftade till att dimensionera installationen av NEO på en biogasanläggning i Lövsta, Uppsala. Målet var att beräkna den lägsta produktionskostnaden för kväve med den eldrivna NEO-maskinen genom att kvantifiera både de fasta och rörliga kostnaderna för installation och drift av maskinen. Potentiella intäkter, såsom minskade inköp av kvävemineralgödsel, inkluderades också i kostnadskalkylen. Elpriset var den mest avg¨orande faktorn för produktionskostnaden, varför spotpriset på el för biogasanläggningen användes under en ettårig tidsperiod. Resultatet inkluderade den lägsta produktionskostnaden, antalet drifttimmar det motsvarade, det specifika elpriset och minskningen av koldioxidavtrycket som NEO medförde.
Den lägsta produktionskostnaden uppgick till 4.04 €/kg kväve producerat, vilket motsvarade 4507 drifttimmar och ett elpris på upp till 0.0942 €/kWh eller 1.04 SEK/kWh. Jämfört med priset på kväve från mineralgödsel som Lövsta betalade (2.37 €/kg kväve) var produktionskostnaden med NEO högre. Klimatavtrycket minskade med 33.72 kgCO2/ton kväveanrikad rötrest. Spotpriset på el var extremt högt under den undersökta tidsperioden. Vid ett annat timprisintervall, med ett spotpris som motsvarade elpriserna under 2019 och 2020, skulle produktionskostnaden kunna minska till 1.13 €/kg kväve. Observera att detta resultat endast är ett exempel på hur produktionskostnaden kan se ut med NEO och bör inte användas som ett beslutsunderlag. Ytterligare analys av kostnader och intäkter bör genomföras genom fältförsök för att utvärdera utsläpp av klimatgaser och förluster av ammoniak. Det är också viktigt att notera att kostnads- och intäktsberäkningarna baseras på befintlig data och antaganden, vilket innebär att de kan skilja sig från en verklig installationsmiljö.Nitrogen is essential for modern agriculture and is commonly obtained through the production of ammonia from hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas. However, this process is not climate neutral as hydrogen gas is typically produced using steam reforming of natural gas. N2-Applied has developed a plasma unit that uses electricity to split the bonds of nitrogen and oxygen in the air, creating NOx. This NOx is then injected into digestate, enhancing the available nitrogen and reducing the need for mineral fertilizers. In this prefeasibility study, an installation of N2-Applied’s plasma unit with additional equipment was dimensioned at the Lövsta Uppsala biogas plant. The aim was to calculate the cost of nitrogen production using the plasma unit by determining both fixed and variable costs associated with installation and operation. The study also investigated the climate impact advantage of using plasma-enriched digestate compared to mineral fertilizers, and whether this advantage could affect production costs. The results gave the lowest cost for plasma production of nitrogen as 4.04 €/kg, achieved at 4507 operational hours when considering all costs and earnings. However, compared to the cost of mineral nitrogen fertilizer at Lövsta (2.36 €), the plasma unit appeared to be more expensive. It is important to note that the results were heavily influenced by the electricity price, with the time interval having an electricity price more than 6 times higher than the mean price of 2020 (1.42 SEK/kWh or 0.128 €/kWh compared to 0.221 SEK/kWh or 0.02 €/kWh). Additionally, the use of plasma-enriched digestate resulted in a reduction of 33.72 kg CO2 per ton compared to ordinary digestate. It is important to consider the electricity price and its impact on the overall production cost. Further analysis and consideration of various factors would be necessary to determine the feasibility and economic viability of implementing the plasma unit in practice
Conservation of Dracocephalum ruyschiana : a survey of active pollinators
Get PDFStudien syftar till att undersöka pollineringen av den hotade växtarten drakblomman (Dracocephalum ruyschiana), som tillhör familjen kranblommiga växter, Lamiaceae. Drakblomman är fridlyst enligt artskyddsförordningen i Sverige och har sin främsta förekomst i Västergötland, på södra Falbygen och norra Ätradalen. Arten är även listad på Bernkonventionens lista över strängt skyddade växter i Europa.
Arbetet gjordes i samarbete med Länsstyrelsen i Västra Götaland med fokus på att identifiera de insekter som besöker, och potentiellt pollinerar, drakblomman under blomningsperioden. Trots att tidigare forskning har dokumenterat ett fåtal humlor som potentiella pollinatörer, saknas det mer detaljerad information om vilka insektsarter som regelbundet interagerar med växten, vilket lämnar utrymme för vidare studier och spekulationer.
Syftet med studien är därför att kartlägga dessa pollinatörer för att bättre förstå vilka arter som potentiellt kan ha en avgörande roll för drakblommans reproduktion. Metodologin bygger på observationer från olika växtlokaler i Västra Götaland och sammanlagt observerades 132 insekter fördelade på 22 olika arter under 39 observationstimmar. Resultatet visar att kunskapen om specifika pollinatörer fortfarande är begränsad, men ger indikationer på att vissa insektsarter kan spela en viktig roll. Arter från släktet Bombus var mest framträdande i studien, vilket delvis reflekterar tidigare studiers resultat. Fler studier krävs dock i mer kontrollerade miljöer för att fastställa dessa arters relevans för blomman. Baserat på studiens resultat presenteras även förslag på vidare forskning kring pollinatörer för drakblomman.The study aims to investigate the pollination of the endangered plant species Northern dragonhead (Dracocephalum ruyschiana), belonging to the family Lamiaceae. Northern dragonhead is protected under the Swedish species protection ordinance and is primarily in the county of Västergötland, in southern Falbygden and northern Ätradalen. The species is also listed on the Bern conventions list of strictly protected plants in Europe.
This work was conducted in collaboration with the County administrative board of Västra Götaland and focuses on identifying the insects that visit and potentially pollinate the northern dragonhead during its flowering period. Although previous research has documented some pollinators, detailed information about which insect species regularly interact with the plant is lacking, leaving room for further studies and speculation.
The purpose of the study is therefore to map these pollinators to better understand which species that may play a crucial role in the reproduction of the flower. The methodology is based on observations from various plant locations in Västra Götaland, where a total of 132 insects from 22 different species were observed over 39 hours of observation. The results indicate that knowledge about specific pollinators is still limited, but also suggests that certain insect species may play an important role. Species from the genus Bombus were more prominent in the study, partially reflecting the results of previous studies. However, more studies are needed in more controlled enviroments to establish the relevance of these species for the flower. Based on the study’s findings, suggestions for future research on pollinators for the northern dragonhead are also presented
Träfiber från Sverige : en studie av svensk träfiber som odlingssubstrat
Get PDFFör att världen ska kunna föda en växande befolkning krävs nya och mer effektiva odlingssystem. Odling i annat än jord är ett bra sätt att utnyttja även andra ytor än marken för att producera mat. I Sverige har det generellt funnits god tillgång till torv. Under sista tiden har torvens och torvbrytningens effekter på miljön diskuterats och det har blivit ännu viktigare att hitta substrat som kan minska torvanvändningen. Träfiber har länge undersökts som ett material som potentiellt skulle kunna vara bra att odla i. Träfiberns växtplats och sort avgör dess egenskaper vilket gör att träfiber från Sverige inte får samma egenskaper som träfiber från ett annat land. I Sverige finns det inga studier gjorda kring svensk träfiber. I detta arbete undersöktes de kemiska och fysikaliska egenskaperna hos träfiber framställt med träfiberråvara från Skåne. Träfibern var uppblandad med olika fraktioner av torv och i olika volymer av torv och träfiber. Även ett odlingsförsök med jordgubbar i de olika substratblandningarna genomfördes. Resultatet visade att det går bra att odla i träfiber både som ensamt substrat och uppblandat med olika mängder torv men att det vid högre andel träfiber krävs närings och bevattningskorrigeringar. Hur detta skulle korrigeras behöver undersökas mer i framtida arbeten.In order for the world to be able to feed a growing population, new and more efficient farming systems are required. Cultivation in other than soil is a good way to use other surfaces than the ground to produce food. In Sweden, there has generally been good access to peat. Recently, the effects of peat and peat mining on the environment have been discussed and it has become even more important to find substrates that can reduce the use of peat. Wood fiber has long been researched as a material that could potentially be good for cultivation. The wood fiber's plant location and variety determine its properties, which means that wood fiber from Sweden does not have the same properties as wood fiber from another country. In Sweden, there are no studies done on Swedish wood fiber. In this work, the chemical and physical properties of wood fiber produced with wood fiber raw material from Skåne were investigated. The wood fiber was mixed with different fractions of peat and in different volumes of peat and wood fiber. A cultivation trial with strawberries in the different substrate mixtures was also carried out. The results showed that it is possible to cultivate in wood fiber both as a sole substrate and mixed with different amounts of peat, but that with a higher proportion of wood fiber, nutrition and irrigation corrections are required. How this could be corrected needs to be investigated more in future work
Effekter av markanvändningshistorik på markvegetationen i bestånd av sykomorlönn (Acer pseudoplatanus) i södra Sverige
Get PDFThis study analyzes the influence of historical land use, environmental conditions, and stand characteristics on ground vegetation in sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) plantations in southern Sweden. By examining 30 sample plots with different land-use histories (post-pasture, post-agricultural, and ancient forest), 99 vascular plant species were recorded and categorized into forest specialists, generalists, woody, and open land species. A varied range of ground vegetation diversity among sites was found, although without any significant differences in the mean species richness across land-use histories. However, post-pasture plantations exhibited a significantly higher mean number of woody species (8.5) compared to other categories, which ranged from 4.3 to 5.0 species. Analysis of vegetation layers showed similar mean cover percentages for tree and herb layers across land-use categories, and shrub and moss layers displayed low variability. The cover of the herb layer and the number of generalist species decreased significantly with increased cover of the tree and shrub layers. This implies that denser canopy cover could inhibit the diversity and abundance of herbaceous vegetation. The results of non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis showed that historical land use, alongside soil pH and nitrogen levels, significantly influenced species composition. A strong positive correlation was observed between soil pH and species composition along NMDS Axis 1, as well as between nitrogen levels and Axis 1, indicating that soil fertility is a major driver of species distribution. Light availability and moisture were correlated with species composition along Axis 2, representing a gradient from darker, moister to lighter, drier conditions. Isolated post-agricultural sycamore plantations were found to be colonized by several forest specialist species within 60 years. However, some species, such as Anemone nemorosa, remained more abundant in areas with continuous forest cover. Although a direct comparison was not possible due to differences in sample plot size, an analogous study on ground vegetation in oak stands suggests similar trends, indicating that the plant diversity and colonization dynamics of sycamore and oak plantations might be comparable. However, further studies are necessary to confirm this pattern. These findings demonstrate the adaptability of sycamore plantations to different land-use histories and environmental conditions, highlighting their potential as valuable habitats for forest plant species
Comparative analysis of the effects of ultra-dry seed storage on long-term viability
Get PDFThis research investigates the long-term viability of seeds stored under ultra-dry conditions, which
involves reducing seed moisture content to levels below conventional seed bank standards. The
study is conducted within the context of ex-situ plant conservation of native Hawaiian species. The
germination rates of ultra-dry and conventionally dried seed samples were analyzed by extracting
more than 20 years of data from routine viability tests. A comparative analysis was performed to
evaluate if ultra-dry seed storage has an effect on viability over time. Mixed-effects models were
employed in the statistical analysis and applied separately according to seeds’ storage behaviors.
Relative humidity was measured inside glass vials and laminated aluminum foil packets used for
long-term seed storage. The results suggested no significant differences in germination rates
between the two desiccation methods. Hygrometer measurements revealed that seeds’ relative
humidity in storage is not reaching the expected value and seeds are, in fact, usually stored more
humid than intended. The differences in recorded relative humidity may be attributed to the
desiccation protocol, storage methods (containers and temperatures), and seeds’ chemical
properties. This research shows that seeds could maintain long-term viability (longevity) in storage,
regardless of RH treatment. It also suggests that drying seeds below generally accepted levels may
not be deleterious to longevity
Assessment of soil physical properties and shallow groundwater recharge in the Ashanti region of Ghana
Get PDFThis study projected shallow groundwater recharge processes in the sub-humid, agroforestry dominated Mankran watershed based on assessment of soil physical properties and application of the Chloride Mass Balance (CMB) and Water Table Fluctuation (WTF) methods. The objective was to enhance understanding of groundwater recharge in a tropical, cocoa forest dominated landscape with diverse land use and soil properties. Soil samples from 0 – 40 cm were analysed for texture, pH, organic matter content and bulk density. Additionally, topsoil field-saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) was measured with single ring infiltrometers. The results revealed significant spatial variability with high sand contents ranging from ca. 60 – 80 % and near-neutral pH associated with higher infiltration rates, particularly in cocoa fields (120 – 200 mm h-1). During the study period of June 2023 – July 2024, shallow groundwater recharge rates estimated by the CMB method ranged from ca. 12 – 34 % (144 – 408 mm) of about 1200 mm rainfall, whereas the WTF method often produced higher and potentially overestimated rates. The findings pointed out the complexity of groundwater recharge processes and the necessity of applying multiple estimation methods for accurate assessment. Despite limitations in soil sampling and method applicability, the study provided valuable data enlarging sparse soil data basis while simultaneously giving insights into the hydrological dynamics of the Mankran watershed. These insights promote more informed, sustainable land use and agricultural management practices in the region, highlighting the importance of comprehensive soil and water data collection
How does the presence of natural habitat patches in a large-scale coconut plantation in Ivory Coast influence pest control? : a study using soundscape analysis and artificial prey
Get PDFThis study investigates the impact of natural habitat patches on pest control efficacy within a large-scale coconut plantation in Ivory Coast.
Using soundscape analysis and artificial prey methods, the research evaluates how biodiversity within natural habitat patches can influence predation rates. The findings, indicate that the presence of natural habitats may play a role in enhancing pest control services by increasing predator diversity and activity in intensively managed monocultures.
The research was conducted on a 900-hectare coconut plantation. By using AudioMoths to gather soundscape data and placing dummy caterpillars as artificial prey across various distances from the natural habitat patches, the study measured predation rates and acoustic complexity to draw correlations between biodiversity and pest control potential.
Key results indicate that natural habitat patches, comprising of remnant forests, fallow land, and single large trees, may serve as refuge for pest predators and enhance biological control in adjacent coconut crops. Trends observed showed increased predation activity nearer to the natural habitat patches. Soundscape indices were explored as potential indicators of biodiversity. The acoustic complexity index displayed significant results when corelated to predation events.
The findings are particularly relevant for large-scale monocultures in the Global South, where the importance of balancing agricultural productivity with ecological sustainability is increasingly being recognised. Future studies should continue to explore these dynamics with extended monitoring periods to further expand upon these observations
The Influence of Conflict on Food Security in Post-Pandemic Northern Nigeria.
Get PDFThis study examines the association between conflict, COVID-19, and food security across local government areas (LGAs) in post-pandemic Northern Nigeria. Using an unbalanced two-year panel dataset consisting of 131 LGAs, a fixed-effect model was estimated. The findings indicate a positive association between COVID-19 and food insecurity, but its interaction with conflict is not statistically significant. The results suggest that civilian-initiated conflicts have a significant association with food security compared to those initiated by the largest group of conflict actors, militias. A policy recommendation emerging from this study is the importance of enhancing local capacities for conflict management and resilience building in food systems to limit the effects of such shocks on food security. Future research is needed to understand the long-term impacts of conflict and COVID-19, accounting for the bidirectional complexities and the mechanisms through which households cope and adapt to these challenges