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Parklets i urbana landskap
Get PDFDenna uppsats utforskar perspektiven och argumenten kring användningen och implementeringen av parklets i stadsmiljön genom att analysera åsikterna från både försäljare och kommunföreträdare. Genom att jämföra deras synpunkter presenteras olika resonemang angående parklets roll som ett verktyg för stadsutveckling. Försäljarna ser parklets som en innovativ och flexibel lösning för att skapa tillfälliga och dynamiska platser i stadsmiljön. Deras temporära natur möjliggör anpassning till stadens krav på funktionalitet och kan användas för att främja sociala mötesplatser och grönområden. Diskussionen om parklets inkluderar kritik kring dess effektivitet för stadsmiljön. Invändningar framhäver att implementeringen är resurskrävande utan tydliga mätbara resultat för stadens förbättring eller främjande av hållbara transportsätt. Det ifrågasätts om parklets är den mest kostnadseffektiva lösningen för stadsplanering och trafikflöden, vilket understryker behovet av en grundlig kostnads- och nyttoanalys jämfört med andra alternativ. Studien identifierar parklets som ett potentiellt verktyg för att underlätta dialog och samtal med invånarna om stadsmiljöns utformning och användning. Genom att erbjuda tillfälliga och synliga förändringar i stadslandskapet kan parklets kan parklets bidra till att engagera invånarna och samla in deras synpunkter och förslag. Sammanfattningsvis betonar uppsatsen behovet av en noggrann utvärdering av parklets och deras potentiella roll i stadsmiljön. Det är viktigt att beakta olika samhällsgruppers behov och att använda en mångfald av kommunikationskanaler för att engagera invånarna och skapa en hållbar och integrerad stadsutveckling.This thesis explores the perspectives and arguments surrounding the use and implementation of parklets in urban environments by analyzing the viewpoints of both parklet sellers and municipal workers. By comparing their perspectives, different rationales regarding the role of parklets as a tool for urban development are presented. Sellers view parklets as an innovative and flexible solution for creating temporary and dynamic spaces in urban environments. Their temporary nature allows for adaptation to the city's functional requirements and can be used to promote social gathering spots and green areas. The discussion on parklets includes criticism regarding their effectiveness in urban environments. Objections highlight that implementation is resource-intensive without clear measurable results for urban improvement or promotion of sustainable transportation methods. Questions arise about whether parklets are the most cost-effective solution for urban planning and traffic flows, highlighting the importance of carefully comparing their costs and benefits with other options. The study identifies parklets as a potential tool to facilitate dialogue and conversation with residents about the design and use of urban environments. By offering temporary and visible changes to the urban landscape, parklets can contribute to engaging residents and gathering their opinions and suggestions. In conclusion, the thesis emphasizes the need for a careful evaluation of parklets and their potential role in the urban environment. It is important to consider the needs of various societal groups and to utilize a diversity of communications channels to engage residents and foster sustainable and integrated urban development
Wildlife passage
Get PDFIn the face of unavoidable urban development, preserving and restoring ecological networks is essential for the conservation of ecosystems. Wildlife passages are a solution for mitigating habitat fragmentation caused by urban infrastructure (Iuell et al. 2003). This master's thesis introduces a fragmented area that needs to be reconnected and proposes a multi-use overpass for both animals and people. The proposed study area is Hagby, the north of Täby municipality, Stockholm, Sweden, intending to reconnect fragmentation that occurs by Road 265 (Norrortsleden).
This project is inspired by the TRIEKOL research project (Helldin et al. 2024) and the GIS thesis project by Jonsson (2017). The project's main focus is designing a passage to mitigate the road's negative impacts on fauna, particularly roe deer, which are frequently involved in vehicle collisions in the study area. The objectives are to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and promote ecological connectivity by reconnecting fragmented habitats and facilitating safe animal movement.
Additionally, the proposed passage includes a dedicated path for pedestrians and cyclists, addressing the lack of a safe path across Road 265. Recognizing that human use of the passage is unavoidable, the design incorporates strategies to manage human presence and minimize disturbances to wildlife by employing "cues to care" techniques that discourage excessive human use of the passage.
The methodology combines theoretical research with practical design, involving literature review, landscape analysis through site inventory, document reviews, GIS and map studies, and field observations. In site analysis, the study utilizes the Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) tool to assess the landscape character types. The tool helps to choose a suitable location for the proposal
Urbana grönytors betydelse för psykisk hälsa i Sverige
Get PDFPsykiska besvär ökar i Sverige (Ersberg & Hasslin 2020), och det finns många belägg för att urbana grönytor kan förebygga och lindra besvären. Närhet till grönska från bostadsområden är mycket viktigt för hälsan (Bucht 2022), vilket gör detta arbete betydelsefullt sett ur både samhällsbyggnadsperspektiv och miljöpsy-kologi.
Det finns tydliga samband mellan tillgång till grönområden och psykisk och fysisk hälsa, och att vistas i naturen är en effektiv behandling mot stressrelaterade sjukdomar, såsom depression och utmattningssyndrom (Örebro 2018). Natur-vårdsverket (u.å.) nämner den vardagsnära naturen som bidragande till återhämt-ning av stressnivåer och mental trötthet, och naturen ger dessutom möjligheter till fysisk aktivitet. Utöver detta finns indikationer på att ökad exponering för stads-grönska leder till förbättrad psykisk hälsa, ökad fysisk aktivitet och minskad död-lighet.
I alla tre kommuner Linköping, Örebro och Västerås, har grönområden minskat sedan 1960-talet, då det skett en stor exploatering i form av bostadsbyggande. Både Örebro och Västerås har mest kvm grönyta/inv. av dessa tre kommuner, men det är lägre än vad hela Sveriges kommuner har i medeltal.
Vid minskat avstånd till grönområden får många bättre humör (SLU 2021), och Pogačar et al. (2019) nämner även vikten av att kunna mötas vid grönytor, och att depression och isolation då kan reduceras. Förutom att bidra till förbättrad psykisk hälsa ger urbana grönområden mindre luftföroreningar och ljudnivåer och förbätt-rat klimat och biodiversitet.
Konijnendijk (2022) beskriver 3-30-300 regeln med att det bör finnas åt-minstone 3 etablerade träd inom synhåll från varje hem, skola och arbetsplats, minst 30% krontäckning av träd i varje bostadsområde/stadsdel och högst 300m till närmaste grönyta från hemmet.Mental disorders are increasing in Sweden (Ersberg & Hasslin 2020), and there is a lot of evidence that urban green spaces can prevent and alleviate the disorders. Proximity to greenery from residential areas is very important for health (Bucht 2022), which makes this work significant from both a community planning per-spective and environmental psychology.
There are clear connections between access to green areas and mental and physical health, and spending time in nature is an effective treatment for stress-related illnesses, such as depression and exhaustion syndrome (Örebro 2018). The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (n.a.) mentions nature close to every-day life as contributing to the recovery of stress levels and mental fatigue, and nature also provides opportunities for physical activity. In addition to this, there are indications that increased exposure to urban greenery leads to improved men-tal health, increased physical activity and reduced mortality.
In all three municipalities Linköping, Örebro and Västerås, green areas have decreased since the 1960s, when there was a large exploitation in the form of housing construction. Both Örebro and Västerås have the most square meters of green space/built-in. of these three municipalities, but it is lower than what all of Sweden's municipalities have on average.
When the distance to green areas is reduced, many people feel better (SLU 2021), and Pogačar et al. (2019) also mention the importance of being able to meet at green spaces, and that depression and isolation can then be reduced. In addition to contributing to improved mental health, urban green areas provide less air pollution and noise levels and improved climate and biodiversity.
Konijnendijk (2022) describes the 3-30-300 rule that there should be at least 3 established trees within sight of every home, school and workplace, at least 30% crown coverage of trees in every residential area/district and no more than 300m to the nearest green space from the home
Methylmercury in runoff from forested catchments
Get PDFHigh mercury concentrations in freshwater fish compose a serious environmental problem in
Sweden and a threat to human health. Mercury is accumulated in the food chain as
methylmercury which is a potential nervous toxin, especially harmful for prenatal life. Due to
anthropogenic emissions, mercury concentration in the atmosphere has increased, which has led
to faster deposition rates and a storage of mercury in forest soils. Inorganic mercury is
transformed into methylmercury by sulphur reducing bacteria in anoxic environments like
wetlands and lake sediment and enters aquatic systems by runoff. Lately studies have shown
that catchments subject to forestry practices have had an increased methylmercury load in
runoff compared to undisturbed catchments. In Balsjö, northern Sweden a project is started to
study the impacts of forestry on mercury levels in three forested catchments. This study is part
of the baseline assessment as a characterisation of the study area with respect to mercury
occurrence. Methyl- and total mercury concentrations in soil pore water have been measured
using isotope dilution, gas chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The
results have been compared with results from other studies in Sweden and show very low
concentrations in the Balsjö area which may be due to the way the sampling was carried out.
There were no significant differences in pre-treatment conditions between the catchments.
Methylmercury concentrations are not controlled by total mercury but rather by the potential for
methylation within the catchment. The lack of relationship between methylmercury
concentrations seen in soil and water shows that it is not a simple equilibrium but indicates that
other factors are involved where the binding to organic material could be one
Studies of the impact of glyphosate on fish and fishpond water under mesocosm conditions
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to examine the effects of glyphosate on fish survival,and aquatic environment parameters in mesocosm experiments. Fishes used in the experiments where Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and Lambari (Astyanax bimaculatus). In a "high concentration" test of glyphosate during a short period of time (6, 12 and 24 hours), survival and growth of young fishes was recorded. In a second experiment, "environmental effects" of glyphosate application for aquatic weed control were evaluated during 9 weeks.
There were no obvious differences in growth and mortality in the "high concentration" experiment, regardless of the different concentrations and times of exposure of glyphosate used.
In the "environmental effects" test, some Tilapia from the higher concentrations had developed exoftalmia (visible swelling in the ocular globe) and some Tilapia in the highest concentration had effects on the liver. Among Lambari, no individuals were effected.
In the "environmental effects" test the initial increase of chlorophyll content seemed to be lower in the control mesocosms than in the glyphosate treatments. Possibly, glyphosate degraded relatively fast, maybe accompanied by an elevated release of nutrients
Driving factors of movements of the African savannah elephant (Loxodonta africana) in Kenya
Get PDFThis thesis aims to identify the driving factors of the movements and the direction of movements of
the African savannah elephant (LA) based on data obtained from camera traps. Thereto, the
methodology involves two main steps: In a first step, the pictures of the camera traps taken between
the years 2015 and 2019 were analysed. Demographic data such as age and sex as well as
information on movement direction were collected. In a second step, a multivariate generalized
linear model (GLM) is estimated to examine the relationship between the response variables
movement and direction and the explanatory variables temperature, precipitation, mean rainfall over
the last 30, 60 and 90 days, vegetation index as well as group constellation.
This thesis has three main findings: Firstly, temperature, precipitation, mean rainfall over the
last 30 days (X30) and 90 days (X90), and group constellation have a significant influence on the
movement activity of LA. The likelihood of movement events happening increases on average with
a rise in temperature as well as a rise in X30 and X90. Contrariwise, movement activity decreases
on average with higher precipitation. The importance of the temperature and precipitation variables
suggests that there is an immediate response of LA´s movement activity to daily environmental
conditions. Furthermore, the importance of the variables X30 and X90 indicate that there is also a
seasonal component, influencing the LA activity. Moreover, variation in the likelihood of LA
movements can be explained by variation in the group constellation. Male groups occur to have the
highest likelihood to move, whereas female groups were least likely to cross the corridor. This
suggest that sex is one of the driving factors of movement activity. Secondly, the direction of the
movement of LA is determined by the following variables: temperature, group constellation and
vegetation index. Higher temperature increases the likelihood of movement inside the conservancy.
Male and female groups have the highest likelihood to move inside the park and single females and
males the highest to move outside. When the vegetation shows a negative growth rate, LA are more
likely to move inside the park. This controversial behaviour can be explained by, among other
things, man-made water resources and the availability of alternative food sources within the park.
Overall, this thesis illustrates that camera traps are an effective method to determine driving
factors of the LA movements and their direction of movements in Kenya. The results of this study
underline the correlation between the movement activity and direction of LA and various
demographic and environmental variables. Therefore, in times of changing environmental
conditions and increasing human-wildlife conflicts it is of utmost importance to understand these
dynamics for effective wildlife conservation and management strategies
The change of microclimate in riparian buffers following clearcutting of adjacent forest stands
Get PDFStreamside riparian zones are the interface between the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem. They have a unique microclimate, differing from the microclimatic conditions in upland forest. This unique microclimate favours biota adapted to humid and cool conditions. The insufficient protection of riparian microclimate can decrease abundance of species sensitive to microclimate changes. In Sweden, it is common to leave narrow buffer strips (<5 m) along small streams during final harvest. These buffer strips are insufficient to protect the functions of riparian buffers, including the microclimate control. We need to gain better understanding of how different buffer management practices will affect microclimate.
Within my thesis I contribute to a better understanding on how different buffer management practices along a small stream affect microclimate after final harvesting in Sweden. I did this by examining mean solar radiation, maximum air temperature, minimum relative humidity and maximum water temperature in a case study consisting of a control site and three different treatment sites. I identified treatment specific differences in the response of riparian microclimate to harvest of the adjacent forest. Leaving a narrow buffer on one side of the stream will affect the microclimatic preconditions on the other side of the stream. Gap-Cutting treatment increased solar radiation and air temperature significantly. Further it decreased relative humidity significantly. Leaving variable retention tailored to a soil moisture map led to a significantly increased solar radiation and air temperature, but no significant differences in relative humidity. Water temperature decreased in two of the examined sites and increased in one, after final harvest. The riparian management showed subordinate influence on water temperature, in comparison to the influence of the hydrological regime. I further found small-scale heterogeneity of microclimate responses. Therefore, riparian management aimed at microclimate protection should consider within site heterogeneity and focus on areas were changes in microclimate result in adverse ecological consequences
Att nå matsäkerhet: Utmaningar med lagstiftning på fröutbyte : en diskursanalys av Europeiska Kommissionens förslag till PRM
Get PDFOn the 5th of July 2023, the European Commission presented a new Plant Reproductive Material directive with a general objective of ensuring high quality and diversity that contributes to food security, protects biodiversity, and restores forest ecosystems. The aims are to increase efficiency and promote and support mainly sustainable innovation. In the proposal, there are three Options, Option 1 - Highest degree of flexibility, Option 2 - Balancing flexibility and harmonisation Option 3 - Highest degree of harmonisation, and the legal text is based on Option 2.
The objective of this master thesis is to examine the discursive tendencies of food security in the proposal and to discuss how the proposal might challenge and affect small-scale farmers who are exchanging seeds in kind.
o What discursive tendencies of food security can be seen in the European Commission’s proposal for a directive on plant reproductive materials?
o How does the discourse of food security differentiate between options 1, 2 and 3 in the proposal?
The study was carried out firstly by a content analysis to find relevant materials, and then by adding a problematizing dimension, a discourse analysis of sort. To perform the discourse analysis an analytical framework was made, which is based on other researchers' definitions, and is the base of the discourse analysis. Based on the researcher's work, two discourses could be used: Liberal Food Security and Food Sovereignty. By applying the analytical framework to the material, it was possible to see what discourse was most prominent.
The results indicate that both Liberal Food Security and Food Sovereignty can be found in the material, however, they do differentiate between the options presented by the European Commission. Liberal Food Security is most prominent in Option 1, but also provides the most flexibility for Food Sovereignty, Liberal Food Security is most prominent in Option 2, but has some tendencies toward Food Sovereignty, and in Option 3 Liberal Food Security is the only discourse of the two that is prominent
Breeders' knowledge and information sharing with puppy buyers
Get PDFAs a new puppy buyer there is a plethora of information available and the breeder might be a natural source of information and support. The aim of this study was to investigate how breeders acquire their knowledge, how they convey this information to the puppy buyers and if there are any follow ups planned. Another aspect covered was to what extent breeders are informing puppy buyers on different topics and if the breeders are taking any precaution in securing the retention of the information given. Data was collected through a survey made available online via Netigate, during 2024. A total of 319 completed questionnaires were registered and the results showed that a majority of the respondents have attended some kind of education aimed towards breeders and/or have a mentor for further support. The vast majority of respondents stated that they convey the information given to puppy buyers both verbally and in text format and most of them ensure that the information given is understood and retained. In the opinion of the respondents, they are presenting information about nutrition, development stages, socialization, alone time, house-training and husbandry topics such as grooming, nail trim and even some veterinary matters, to a high degree. The deviation in extent of information given, was in regards to preventative care for dental health where the respondents didn’t inform about the topic in the same extent as with the other topics. Slightly more than half of the respondents had planned follow ups with the new puppy buyers after the delivery of the puppies, and many stated that they are always available for questions or support
Assessing Stakeholder’s Willingness to Adopt Agroforestry for Land Reclamation in Gold Mining-Affected Areas : A Case Study of Chunya District, Tanzania
Get PDFThis study investigates the willingness of stakeholders in Chunya District, Tanzania, to adopt agroforestry as a land reclamation strategy in gold mining-affected areas. Mining activities in Chunya District have led to severe environmental degradation, including soil erosion, water contamination, and deforestation, which not only disrupt agriculture but also harm local biodiversity. Agroforestry, which integrates trees with crops or livestock, has been identified as a promising solution to restore soil fertility, mitigate erosion, enhance food security, and provide materials such as timber and fuelwood for the mining industry. By incorporating trees into agricultural landscapes, agroforestry can also reduce the pressure on natural forests, helping to avoid further deforestation and providing sustainable alternatives for timber, firewood and building materials used in mining industries. Despite its potential, agroforestry remains underutilized in Chunya District. The research employs a case study design and uses qualitative methods including in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observation. These methods were used to assess the attitudes of local farmers, community leaders, mining company representatives, and environmental experts toward adopting agroforestry for land reclamation. The findings reveal that 85% of stakeholders recognize the benefits of agroforestry, such as improved soil quality, enhanced water retention, increased agricultural productivity, diversified income sources, and the restoration of degraded land. However, several barriers hinder the widespread adoption of agroforestry in the area. The most significant obstacles are financial constraints, lack of technical knowledge, and limited institutional support. While agroforestry is seen as a long-term solution, many stakeholders are hesitant to invest due to high initial costs and insufficient funds and training. Furthermore, legal challenges related to land tenure and competing interests between farmers and mining companies complicate the implementation of agroforestry practices. Despite these challenges, the study highlights the potential of agroforestry to address both environmental and socio-economic issues. By integrating trees with agricultural practices, agroforestry can mitigate the adverse effects of mining, such as soil erosion and water pollution, while simultaneously providing local communities with food, timber, and other materials. For the mining industry, agroforestry can offer sustainable sources of timber and fuelwood, reducing the pressure on natural forests and promoting a more environmentally responsible approach to land use. Furthermore, agroforestry can enhance food security and improve livelihoods by diversifying income streams for local farmers. The study concludes that agroforestry offers a viable and multifaceted solution to the challenges posed by mining in Chunya District. To overcome the barriers to adoption, the research suggests the need for targeted policy frameworks, financial incentives, and capacity-building programs. By fostering collaboration between stakeholders, including mining companies, government agencies, and local communities, agroforestry can play a critical role in land reclamation, environmental restoration, and the long-term sustainability of Chunya District. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on agroforestry as an effective strategy for mitigating the environmental and social impacts of mining activities in Tanzania