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Profitability analysis of unloading methods when forwarding timber : time consumption and profitability for single-sided and double-sided unloading
Get PDFProduktivitetsutveckling inom det svenska skogsbruket har stagnerat. För att bibehålla konkurrenskraft krävs vidareutveckling av befintliga metoder. Inom ramen av examensarbetet jämförs lönsamheten och tidsåtgången mellan två olika metoder för lossning av virke vid virkesavlägg med skotare. Det huvudsakliga tillvägagångssättet – enkelsidig lossning från skogssidan, jämförs med det tillvägagångssätt som i litteraturen beskrivs som mer effektivt – dubbelsidig lossning från vägen. Varje lossningsmetod har för- och nackdelar, vilka beskrivs och kvantifieras i den mån det är möjligt för att genomföra en lönsamhetsanalys av metoderna. Skillnaden i tidsåtgång har uppmätts genom tidsstudie och visar att den dubbelsidiga lossningen kan utföras ungefär 3,6 minuter snabbare per lass. Lönsamhetsanalysen visar att kostnaden för grusning av väg för att öka dess bärighet redan efter 10 cm grus överstiger besparingar av den reducerade tidsåtgången.Productivity development within Swedish forestry has declined. In order to maintain competitiveness, further development of existing methods is needed. Within the framework of this thesis, the profitability and time consumption are compared between two different methods of unloading timber at the roadside landing when forwarding. The main approach – single-sided unloading from the forest, is compared with the approach described in the literature as more effective – double-sided unloading from the road. Each unloading method has advantages and disadvantages, which are described and quantified as good as possible to execute a profitability analysis of the methods. Differences in time consumption has been measured through a time study and shows that the double-sided unloading can be performed approximately 3.6 minutes faster per load. The profitability analysis shows that the costs of graveling the road to increase its load-bearing capacity already after 10 cm of gravel exceeds the savings by the reduced time consumption
Movement and stay within the station area in Tumba : a programme proposal for Tumba station with a focus on pedestrians and cyclists
Get PDFDen pågående urbaniseringen i samband med en ökande befolkning har lett till att antalet människor som bor i städer idag ökat avsevärt. Förtätning förespråkas i strävan efter en hållbar utveckling där det läggs ett större fokus på kollektivtrafik för resor lokalt och regionalt. I samband med detta finns det även ett förändrat krav på vad det offentliga rummet ska erbjuda, vilket i många fall innebär att gång- och cykeltrafikanter bortprioriteras i trafikmiljöer där rörelsen, orienteringen och rekreativa kvaliteter kan försämras.
Syftet med detta examensarbete är att utveckla ett stationsområde och dess miljö för att förbättra rörelsen för fotgängare och cyklister, förbättra orienterbarheten och upplevelsen av platsen och att stärka dess funktioner samt förhöja dess kvaliteter. Målet är att öka prioriteringen av gång- och cykeltrafikanter inom stationsområdet före bilister och genom ett programförslag ge exempel på hur stationsområdets värden kan förstärkas och utvecklas för att bidra till mer hållbara städer där fotgängare och cyklister främjas. Huvudmetoden för arbetet utgjordes av en iterativ arbetsprocess med flera moment uppdelade i förstudie, inventering och analys och det slutgiltiga gestaltningsprogrammet. Gestaltningen grundar sig i en förstudie med en litteraturöversikt, dokumentöversikt och studiebesök av referensprojekt samt inventering och analys av arbetsområdet. Förstudien syftar till att sammanställa kunskap om rörelse, orientering, stationsområden, mötesplatser i offentliga miljöer samt ge en förståelse för arbetsområdet. Information, skissarbete, idégenerering och gestaltning har skett i samklang med varandra, för att slutligen mynna ut i ett programförslag för Tumba station. Resultatet presenteras genom en övergripande illustrationsplan i samband med två mer detaljerade delområden, sektioner samt perspektiv.
Förslaget strävade efter att skapa ett sammanhängande stationsområde med fokus på gång- och cykeltrafikanter, stärka kopplingen med omgivande platser, skapa en tydligare entré och erbjuda fler funktioner inom stationsområdet. Utformningen resulterade i ett stationsområde med en mångfald av nya vistelse- och upplevelsevärden som både tillgodoser vilsamma samt sociala aktiviteter. Utformningen resulterade även i ett förändrat rörelsemönster där större plats ges åt gång- och cykeltrafikanter inom stationsområdet. Återkommande vegetation, sittplatser och material genom området bidrar till känslan av stationsområdet som en sammanhängande plats. Förslaget exemplifierar möjligheterna att utveckla och utforma stadens stationsområden som en viktig del av det offentliga rummet och en rekreativ resurs, vilket kan främja en hållbar stadsutveckling, främja en större användning av cykeln och i längden förhöja människors livskvalitet.The ongoing urbanization associated with an increasing population has led to a significant increase in the number of people living in cities today. Densification is advocated in the pursuit of sustainable development, with a greater focus on public transport for local and regional travel. In connection with this, there is also a changing demand for what the public space should offer, which in many cases means that pedestrians and cyclists are deprioritized in traffic environments where movement, orientation and recreational qualities can be impaired.
The purpose of this thesis is to develop the station area and its environment to improve the movement of pedestrians and cyclists, improve the orientation and experience of the place and to strengthen its functions and enhance its qualities. The aim is to increase the priority of pedestrians and cyclists within the station area over motorists and, through a programme proposal, provide examples of how the values of the station area can be enhanced and developed to contribute to more sustainable cities where pedestrians and cyclists are promoted. The main method for the work consisted of an iterative work process with several stages divided into a feasibility study, inventory and analysis and the final design programme. The design is based on a pre- study with a literature review, document review and study visits to reference projects, as well as an inventory and analysis of the work area. The preliminary study aims to compile knowledge about movement, orientation, station areas, meeting places in public environments and provide an understanding of the work area. Information, sketching, generating ideas and design have been carried out in conjunction with each other, to finally result in a programme proposal for Tumba station. The result is presented through an overall illustration plan and through two more detailed sub-areas, sections and perspectives.
The proposal aimed to create a coherent station area with a focus on pedestrians and cyclists, strengthen the connection with surrounding places, create clearer entrances and offer more functions within the station area. The design resulted in a station area with a variety of new stay and experience values that accommodate both restful and social activities. The design also resulted in a changed movement pattern where more space is given to pedestrians and cyclists within the station area. The recurrence of vegetation, seating and materials throughout the area contributes to the sense of the station area as a coherent place. The proposal exemplifies the potential to develop and design the city's station areas as an important part of the public realm and a recreational resource, which can promote sustainable urban development, encourage sustainable travel options and ultimately enhance people's quality of life
A focus on life in the green spaces of the cemetery : biocentrism, genius loci, and the Cultural Heritage Legislation in relation to the Church of Sweden’s work with meadows at Berthåga Cemetery and Uppsala Old Cemetery
Get PDFI denna studie undersöks kulturmiljölagens funktion och begränsningar, Svenska kyrkans klimatanpassning av kyrkliga kulturmiljöer genom ängsplanteringar, och länsstyrelsens roll i att integrera natur- och kulturvård. Fokus på ängsytor valdes då de är mer tåliga mot klimatförändringar och för att ängsmarkerna i Sverige har minskat.
Två kyrkogårdar i Uppsala, Berthåga och Uppsala gamla kyrkogård, studeras för att förstå hur lokala förutsättningar påverkar möjligheten att anlägga ängsytor. Studiens teori utgår ifrån biocentrismen och från genius loci för att tolka, analysera och diskutera klimatanpassning av kyrkogårdar genom plantering av ängar. Genom intervjuer och litteraturstudier analyseras hur Sveriges klimatåtaganden enligt Agenda 2030 kan komma i konflikt med kulturmiljölagstiftningen, för länsstyrelsens klimatarbete i dess klimatfärdplan, och hur Svenska kyrkans klimatanpassningsarbete enligt organisationens klimatfärdplan kan hindras av lagens nuvarande formuleringar. Klimatanpassning av kyrkogårdar undersöks utifrån biocentriska argument och genom att identifiera genius locis roll på respektive kyrkogård. Slutligen diskuteras hur kulturmiljölagens roll som hinder kan överbryggas för att möjliggöra högre biodiversitet utan att äventyra de kulturhistoriska värdena.This study examines the function and limitations of the Cultural Heritage Act, the Church of Sweden's climate adaptation efforts in ecclesiastical cultural environments through meadow planting, and the County Administrative Board's role in integrating nature and cultural heritage management. The focus on meadow planting was chosen due to its greater resilience to climate change and the decline of meadowlands in Sweden.
Two cemeteries in Uppsala, Berthåga Cemetery and Uppsala Old Cemetery, are studied to understand how local conditions influence the feasibility of establishing meadow plantings. The study's theoretical framework is grounded in biocentrism and the concept of genius loci to interpret, analyze, and discuss the climate adaptation of cemeteries through meadow planting. Through interviews and literature reviews, the study analyzes how Sweden's climate commitments under Agenda 2030 might conflict with the Cultural Heritage Act, affecting the County Administrative Board’s climate efforts outlined in its policy for combatting climate change, and how the Church of Sweden’s climate adaptation work according to its combatting climate change may be hindered by the current formulations of the law. The climate adaptation of cemeteries is examined from a biocentric perspective and by identifying the role of genius loci at each cemetery. Finally, the study discusses how the obstacles posed by the Cultural Heritage Act can be overcome to enable greater biodiversity without compromising cultural heritage values
The effect of red clover (Trifolium pretense L.) accessions and ploidy on in vitro utilisable crude protein in red clover silage: A two-year comparative study
Get PDFVariations in protein concentration and the ruminal nitrogen utilisation in diploid and tetraploid red
clover (Trifolium pretense L.) silage across two years (2022 and 2023) were studied by using in vitro
utilisable crude protein (uCP) method. A total of 45 in 2022 and 44 accessions in 2023 were assessed
including four control varieties. Plant materials were harvested with a haldrup plot harvester, which
was then allowed to wilt until they reached a dry matter (DM) concentration of 25% to 30%. After
the determination of DM content, wilted forage was chopped and treated with a formic acid-based
silage additive at a rate of 6 mL/kg fresh matter. Herbage was then vacuum-packed and placed to
ensile for 100 days, after which the samples of the ensiled silage were taken for analysis and the rest
was freeze-dried. The ammonia-N concentrations were determined during an in vitro incubation at
4, 9, 20 and 30h, used to determine the uCP at 16 h rumen retention time (uCP16). In both years all
silage samples exhibited good fermentation characteristics. Low pH values (lower than 4.06 in 2023)
and high concentration of lactic acid (35.15 g/kg DM in 2022 and 81.22 g/kg DM in 2023) compared
to other volatile fatty acids indicative of well-preserved silage. Diploid red clover (RC) was higher
in crude protein (CP) and lower in neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content than tetraploid RCs in both
years. A strong positive correlation (R2 = 0.78) was indicated between uCP16 and CP content in the
silage across the two years. A negative linear correlation between NDF and both uCP16 and CP
indicates that higher content of fibre levels may compromise the ruminal protein utilisation. The
uCP16 values of silages were significantly affected only by the year factor and not by ploidy. Three
RC accessions had 5 to 9 g/kg DM lower uCP16 concentration than predicted by the model based on
silage CP concentration, whereas 6 accessions had observed uCP16 values between 4 to 7 g/kg DM
higher than predicted values. Those results indicate that selecting accessions with higher CP
utilisation potential might be possible and that the CP concentration alone is not enough for selection for better CP efficiency in the rumen. Furthermore, numerical variations were observed in protein utilisation between tetraploids and diploids of RC accessions and significant differences between the years. Further research is warranted to evaluate the efficiency of protein utilisation in the rumen with red clover ploidies, and it is essential to further study, other parameters associated with protein utilisation in red clover
Unveiling gendered labour dynamics amidst droughts
Get PDFClimate change has intensified the frequency of extreme weather events, such as droughts, which are expected to worsen without mitigation efforts. While drought impacts on rural areas are well-documented, their effects on urban economies and gender-specific labour markets in African countries remain underexplored. This study investigates the gender-differential employment effects of droughts in agriculture, upper non-farm, and lower non-farm sectors at national, urban, and rural levels from 2005 to 2020.
Using an event study difference-in-difference design, the results reveal that women in rural areas experience a significant increase in agricultural employment rising by 46 %, while men show smaller gains. Nationally, male employment in the agriculture sector declines by 30 % while women’s employment grows. In urban areas, both genders experience moderate increases in agricultural employment, but women suffer sharper declines in the non-farm sectors, particularly in upper non-farm jobs. These findings suggest that women, especially in rural areas, rely more on agriculture as a fallback during droughts, while men’s broader employment opportunities expose them to greater national-level vulnerabilities. In urban areas, women in non-farm sectors are particularly affected, highlighting limited options for adaptation.
The paper concludes that targeted interventions are needed to prevent droughts from exacerbating gender inequalities, especially in non-farm sectors. Policies that expand women’s access to diverse employment opportunities are critical for promoting equitable economic recovery in the face of climate change
Reaktiva hundar och ägarens upplevelser
Get PDFA reactive dog reacts stronger and more intensely to stimulus. Reactive dogs often take longer before they calm down and reach a normal state. Reactivity in dogs is a problem that can make dog ownership harder. Reactivity can show itself together with aggressive behavior, which is an unwanted behavior and can lead to abandonment or sometimes euthanizing of the dog. A typical problem area when it comes to reactivity is veterinary visits. A lot of dogs already find visits to the clinic stressful but in reactive dogs it can lead to aggressive behaviors. These behaviors can sometimes make it hard for the veterinarian to complete the examination.
A lot of disinformation and myths about how dogs should be trained are spread through TV-programs. Lack of knowledge and the use of wrong training methods can however worsen the behavior that is meant to be improved.
The method used in this study was a survey formed from the web tool Netigate. The survey was shared in two different Facebook groups and was sent through email to students from Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.
The results show that the most common scenario where dogs react with fear or with an increased reactivity was towards other dogs. Almost all the dog owners that sought professional help found it helpful in managing their dogs. Positive reinforcement was used by almost all dog owners in this survey. Most of the dog owners answered that their life quality and mental health has been affected by their dog’s reactivity. Most respondents answered that they feel a lack of support from other dog owners, family and friends and society as a whole.
The survey was shared in a Facebook group that exclusively uses positive reinforcement and sent to different university programs related to animals. This might be the reason why this training method was so prevalent in this study, other studies show similar results regarding the usefulness of professional help. This could be a sign that dog owners with reactive dogs might lack knowledge on how to best train the dogs. The results show that there might be a knowledge gap in dog behavior not just in dog owners to reactive dogs but also in society.
The aim of this study was to investigate how dog owners experience owning a reactive dog. Do the dog owners own experience and knowledge affect the reactivity in their dog, and what kind of training methods do they use? In what areas of their lives do the dog owners feel that they are missing support from their surroundings? Owning a reactive dog can be troublesome for the owner where stress and anxiety over the problem behavior can worsen their relationship with the dog. Everyday things like taking the dog out for a walk become more troublesome which might lead to increased problems with the behavior
Effekter av lakvatten från avfallsdeponier - hur återspeglas miljöpåverkan på fiskens olika organisationsnivåer?
Get PDFLakvatten från avfallsdeponier utgör en diffus och kronisk miljöpåverkan i sjöar som är recipienter för lakvatten. Främmande ämnen i lakvattnet kan ge upphov till direkta och indirekta effekter på organismer. Den primära effekten uppkommer på molekylär- eller cellulär nivå vanligtvis i samband med exponeringen och kan resultera i sekundära effekter på högre biologiska organisationsnivåer (organ-, individ-, populations-, samhälls- och ekosystemnivå) om störningen är stor eller pågår under lång tid. Effekter på olika organisationsnivåer uppkommer i olika hastighet och därmed i olika tidsskalor varför indikationer på påverkan inte alltid syns samtidigt på de olika organisationsnivåerna. All form av påverkan kommer inte heller till uttryck på alla organisationsnivåer. Biologiska indikatorer på olika organisationsnivåer är därför värdefulla i samband med studier av miljöpåverkan. Lakvatten från en närbelägen avfallsdeponi diskuteras som orsak till skador på fisk som påträffats i sjön Molnbyggen utanför Leksand. Sår och tendenser till hormonell störning har setts hos fisken samtidigt som påverkan på populations- och samhällsnivå inte kunnat noteras. Naturvårdsverket driver ett undersökningsprojekt för att försöka klargöra orsakerna till skadorna i Molnbyggen och utreda om problemet gäller generellt för sjöar som utgör recipienter för lakvatten. Med anledning av detta syftar denna studie till att undersöka om det förekommer effekter på flera organisationsnivåer hos fisken (organ-, individ- populations- och samhällsnivå) i såväl Molnbyggen som andra lakvattenrecipienter, och om det i så fall finns något samband mellan dessa effekter. Undersökningen har genomförts i samband med Fiskeriverkets provfiske sommaren 2000 i åtta sjöar inom Naturvårdsverkets deponiprogram och i sju referenssjöar vilka ingår i det nationella miljöövervakningsprogrammet. Referenssjöarna har använts för att få ett mått på naturliga variationer. Studerade parametrar är levervikt på organnivå, samt fluktuerande asymmetri, skadefrekvens, kondition och tillväxt på individnivå. Populationsnivån omfattar ålders- och längdfördelningar, medan samhällsnivån inkluderar art- och individantal, artdiversitet, biomassa, andel fiskätande fisk, andel karpfisk samt syrebristindikatorer. Det föreligger inga tydliga samband mellan olika effekter på olika organisationsnivåer. Två av karaktärerna (fluktuerande asymmetri och skadefrekvens) visar större avvikelse i lakvattenrecipienterna än i referenssjöarna, men för båda parametrarna är kunskapen om naturliga variationer för liten för att kunna dra slutsatser om eventuell föroreningsexponering. Två karaktärer (levervikt och kondition) varierar mellan olika sjöar men utan något mönster utifrån eventuell miljöpåverkan. Parametrarna tillväxt, ålders- och längdfördelningar visar ingen avvikelse i lakvattenrecipienterna jämfört med referenssjöarna. I en av lakvattenrecipienterna (Furen) syns påverkan på samhällsnivå som liknar effekter vid näringsrika förhållanden. Det beror sannolikt på en kombination av källor till näringstillförsel snarare än endast hög näringshalt i lakvattnet från den närbelägna avfallsdeponin. Om en miljöpåverkan i form av lakvatten från avfallsdeponier äger rum i de studerade sjöarna är den inte så stark att det ger genomslag till hög biologisk organisationsnivå. Trots osäkerheter utgör dock observerade effekter på lägre organisationsnivåer viktiga varningssignaler om att effekter även kan uppkomma i större skala. Ytterligare studier behövs för säkrare slutsatser om sambanden mellan lakvattenpåverkan och de effekter som setts i olika parametrar
Makrofyter och växtplanton i Dalbyviken, Nordöstra Mälaren – en interkationsstudie
Get PDFIn this paper phytoplankton is studied in a gradient from a macrophyte covered inner part of the bay of Dalbyviken of Lake Mälaren to the mouth area into the Ekoln Basin. The object was to obtain clarity upon the function of the macrophyte community as a recruit habitat for phytoplankton. Another aim was to compare the macrophyte community with the community investigated twentynine years earlier in the same bay. The results showed that the bay has been silted up during the passed time, the reed vegetation has spread and increased in biomass. The water of the littoral zone had low concentrations of nitrogen but very high of phosphorus . Concentrations of these nutrients in the mouth area was the inverse - high considering nitrogen and lower considering phosphorus. Life-form of phytoplankton differed significantly in the shallowest parts from that of the open water areas. Among the tested environmental variables inorganic nitrogen and light climate were especially related to differences in taxa composition of the phytoplankton community. When separating the phytoplankton in eight different groups of life-forms a co-variation with phosphorus, light climate and temperature was significant. Plankton splitted up in groups related to competitors, ruderals and stress tolerants were most related to nutrients as phosphorus and nitrogen. The phytoplankton and environmental relationsships were elucidated by the use of canonical correspondence analysis. Phytoplankton´s biovolume reached its maximum earliest during the summer in the open water zone and later in the inner parts of the bay. Therefore this study could not confirm that the littoral zone acts as a recruit habitat for phytoplankton, causing higher biomass in the littoral parts before high biomasses were reached in the open water areas. The wind direction during the whole studied period was mainly southern or south-western causing a main transport of phytoplankton from the mouth of the bay to its inner region. In the shallow inner areas the light reached to the bottom layer which could have had a photoinhibiting effect and be a possible explanation for the small quantities of non-motile plankton there
Effects of modern pesticides on the microbial community in a natural and in an artificial sediment - a microcosm study
Get PDFIn the present study effects of for functionally different pesticides (a herbicide; isoproturon, a fungicide; captan and two insecticides; deltamethrin and pirimicarb) on sediment microbiota were investigated in two laboratory microcosm studies. The objective of the study was to examine if the pesticides at negligible concentration (NC), maximal permissible concentration (MPC) and a hundred times the maximal permissible concentration (100xMPC) affected microbial respiration, ATP content and bacterial activity in an artificial and in a natural sediment. The NC and MPC were extracted from a recent RIVM report (National institute of public health and the environment, The Netherlands) The results indicated that the tested concentrations had inconsistent effect on the tested biological parameters measured in this experiment. In the experiment with artificial sediment it was found that the isoproturon treatment had an overall effect on community respiration (Twoway ANOVA, P = 0.0106) and that captan had an overall significant effect. Deltamethrin and pirimicarb had no effect on community respiration. Pirimicarb was the only tested pesticide that had an general effect on sediment ATP concentration. The tested pesticides had no effect on bacterial activity. In the experiment with natural sediment no significant effect of the pesticides was found on community respiration. Of the tested pesticides only deltamethrin had an general effect on the ATP concentration. Since no general effect on community respiration or ATP concentration were found no clear-cut conclusions regarding the environmental consequences using the chosen pesticides could be drawn. Accordingly, further studies are needed to evaluate effects at the species level, the community level and the ecosystem level
Determination of pesticides in ponds in an agricultural region in Sweden - sampling of water by solid-phase extraction
Get PDFSolid-phase extraction in the field is a beneficial and very convenient way of sampling water for pesticide analysis since it excludes voluminous and heavy water bottles and avoids adsorption of lipophilic pesticides on the sampling bottle. In this study atrazine, deltamethrin, diflufenican, esfenvalerate, ethofumesate, fenpropimorph, isoproturon, pirimicarb and terbutylazine were detected at low concentrations in ponds situated in Scania, south of Sweden. Sampling was conducted during May and June, 1999. Deltamethrin, esfenvalerate and lambda-cyhalothrin belong to the pyrethroids which are very lipophilic. These substances are therefore expected to adsorb on particles and other surfaces. No lambda-cyhalothrin was detected and very low concentrations of the other two pyrethroids. Sampling at the surface film of the water body as well as in the sediment might be necessary to detect higher concentrations of the pyrethroids. Nothing was detected on the particle fractions and in future studies it might be necessary to sample larger volumes of water in order to detect any particle bound pesticides. Isoproturon and ethofumesate were the most frequently detected pesticides, both are herbicides. Herbicides are the most regularly and heavily used pesticides. No absolute concentrations of pesticide detections can be reported from this study, since the method first needs more development and improvements. Primarily the performance of the internal standards needs to be improved