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Vägar mot askrestaurering i Sverige : intressen och åsyn på möjligheter och utmaningar inom askrestaurering
Full text linkRestoration of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) is needed due to ash dieback which is a disease caused by the introduced fungal pathogen Hymenoschyphus fraxineus. The fungus was first documented in Sweden in the 2000s and has led to a large decline of the population of European ash whereby it is now considered an endangered species in Sweden. To ensure that ash will have a future in Swedish forests, breeding for resistance and restoration efforts are needed. Surveys across Sweden have been conducted to find resistant material and some screening trials have been initiated. To understand what Swedish forest stakeholders think about the restoration of ash, interviews were conducted with eleven forest informants. Selection of these eleven informants were made by strategically selecting actors with experience in ash management and those who could provide valuable insights, leading to the selected actors being forest educated. The aim of interviewing the informants was to understand their perceptions, attitudes and willingness to restore ash based on the current challenges and opportunities for future restoration efforts. Results from the interviews showed that the primary concern with ash restoration was the lack of resistant material, both in terms of certainty on the degree of resistance. The interviewed informants expressed a high level of willingness to participate in ash restoration. Attitudes expressed by the informants on ash restoration were focused on the cultural and ecological perspectives rather than the possible economic gains received from ash restoration. Furthermore, some informants indicated that the restoration efforts could be most beneficial in areas with higher natural values. The future of ash restoration in Sweden will heavily depend on the cooperation of science and society. Including further research into the topic of societal interest, as well as communication of strategies to restore ash in the wider Swedish landscape
Improved ability to identify the suitability of dogs' abilities in tracking and searchwork
Full text linkTraining dogs for future service roles is a costly process. Therefore, it would be beneficial to be able to predict and identify, at an early stage, the individuals with the greatest potential to succeed as working dogs. Currently, many dogs begin training, but a significant number are later excluded due to being deemed unsuitable. This results in time, money, and other resources being invested in dogs that ultimately do not enter service, resources that could have been used more effectively on dogs that complete their training.
This literature review aims to compile existing research, with a particular focus on detection and tracking dogs, and to explore how individuals best suited for service work can be identified more accurately.
The results indicate that several traits are important for success in service roles, including prey drive, a well-developed sense of smell, effective environmental perception and processing, high play motivation, willingness to cooperate, concentration, boldness, obedience, agility, independence, responsiveness, high arousal levels, and impulse control. The findings also suggest that in some cases, these traits can be identified as early as puppy stage, although some research contradicts this. However, more recent studies suggest that cognitive testing may be a valuable tool in predicting suitable traits. It is also emphasized that environmental influences, prior experiences and hereditary factors, must be considered when evaluating early behavioural traits, as dogs at a young age are not considered to be fully developed.
Furthermore, the results of the literature review indicate a need for continued research to determine which methods are most effective for identifying suitable service dogs. There is a lack of standardized methods, as well as ambiguity and significant variation in the terminology used to define different traits.
In conclusion, an improved selection process for identifying suitable service dogs would be of great importance. It would lead to more cost-effective resource use and improved welfare of the dogs selected for service, ensuring that they are truly suited for the tasks they are expected to perform
Characteristics and fermentability of cider apple cultivars grown in Sweden
No full textIn countries with a long apple cider-making tradition, such as United Kingdom or France, cider is traditionally made from a blend of special cider apple cultivars, that for example, by its content of phenolic compounds give the cider a desired bitter taste. There is a growing interest among cider producers in cultivating cider apple cultivars in Sweden, in order to produce a wider range of ciders than is possible using the table apple cultivars that are typically grown. The aim of this study is therefore to investigate how British and French cider apple cultivars perform when grown in Sweden, based on chemical traits of both the apple and cider. A further objective was to increase the understanding of apple juice fermentability and how it is affected by different juice traits by monitoring the progress of fermentation. The results showed, for example, that the included cultivars differed in fermentability, possibly influenced by nitrogen, and indicated good fruit quality,
based on the investigated parameters, in French and British cider cultivars when grown in Sweden. Classification of most cultivars were, in this study, consistent with traditional classification of the cultivars according to Long Ashton Research Station’s classification system
Farming the Periphery : on Farmer Agency and Structural Power in Northern Västmanland
Full text linkDenna kandidatuppsats i landsbygdsutveckling undersöker lantbrukares uppfattningar av deras handlingsutrymme för att bedriva jordbruksverksamhet i de två kommunerna Fagersta och Norberg. Syftet med undersökningen är att synliggöra möjligheter och begränsningar till mänskligt handlingsutrymme rörande jordbruket i dessa kommuner. Detta görs med en intervjustudie, med hjälp av begreppen locus of control för att utröna deras uppfattade handlingsutrymme och strukturell makt för att synliggöra yttre hinder som påverkar deras jordbruksverksamhet. Uppsatsen föreslår att de strukturella förutsättningar för jordbruket som formas av statlig policy och marknadskonkurrens, i kombination med de lokala förutsättningarna, försvårar för att bedriva jordbruksverksamhet inom kommunerna - men att lantbrukarna hittar sätt att försörja sig på utanför jordbruket.This thesis investigates farmers’ perceptions of their scope for action in performing agricultural activities in the municipalities of Fagersta and Norberg. The aim is to illuminate both opportunities and constraints on human agency related to farming in these areas. Using an interview study, the concept of locus of control is applied to analyze the farmers’ perceived scope for action, while structural power is employed to highlight external barriers affecting their agricultural activities. The findings suggest that structural conditions shaped by state policy and market competition, combined with local geographical conditions, complicate the practice of agriculture within these municipalities. Nonetheless, the farmers develop strategies to sustain their livelihoods outside of traditional farming
Assessment of rider position using smart shirt technology and a mechanical horse simulator
Full text linkEn stadig, balanserad och följsam sits är avgörande för god kommunikation mellan ryttaren och hästen. En god sits bidrar även till positiv hästvälfärd, vilket är aktuellt ämne såväl nationellt som internationellt. Syftet med denna studie var att studera ryttarens sits med modern teknik. Frågeställningarna var följande: Vilka mätbara effekter finns för sitsfel och asymmetrier hos ryttare och på vilket sätt kan en smart tröja användas för att utvärdera ryttarens sits och position? Materialet som användes i denna studie var en mekanisk häst (ridsimulator) tillsammans med en smart tröja för att dokumentera ryttarens sits och vanliga sitsfel. Sex ryttare med olika erfarenheter och utbildning på Ridskolan Strömsholm utförde tre sitsar (lodrät sits, stolsits och hängsits) på den mekaniska hästen utrustad med olika sensorer som registrerade tygel-kraft och viktfördelning. Den smarta tröjan var utrustad med sensorer som mätte vinklar för bål, över och underarm, huvud och hand. Ryttarna filmades under en minut i varje gångart med olika markörer för att klargöra positionens vinklar. Resultaten visade att de olika sitsfelen hade mätbara effekter på positionen. Alla ryttare visade en dominerande stark sida där viktfördelningen och tygelkraften hade ett samband. Den mekaniska hästen och smarta tröjan gav objektiv återkoppling på ryttarens prestation och sits, vilket visade ett potentiellt hjälpmedel för ridlärare och ryttare. Detta kan vara en användbar teknik för att förbättra ryttarens inverkan och stabilitet. Studiens slutsats var att data från mekaniska hästen visade sitsens viktsfördelning. Mekaniska hästens tygelkraft visade asymmetrier och kunde även relateras till handens vinkelhastighet mätt med sensor. Smarta tröjan kunde främst användas till att studera armens vinklar. Praktisk implementering av modern teknik som den mekaniska hästen och sensorer kan stödja en standardiserad bedömning och korrigering av ryttarens sits, för att förbättra ridtekniken och hästens välbefinnande.A steady and balanced seat is essential for effective communication between the rider and horse. This contributes in a positive way to equine welfare, which is a relevant topic both nationally and internationally. The aim of this study was to evaluate the riders seat using modern technology. The questions asked in this study were: what measurable effects can be observed from seat deviations and asymmetries in riders and in what ways can a smart shirt be used to evaluate the rider’s seat and position? The material used in this study was a mechanical equestrian simulator and a smart t-shirt to assess common seat deviations. Six riders with different experience and education at Strömsholm riding school performed three seat positions (vertical seat, chair seat and forward seat) on the mechanical horse equipped with different sensors that recorded rein tension and weight distribution. The smart t-shirt was equipped with inertial sensors that measured trunk, arm, head and hand movements. The riders were filmed for one minute in each gait (walk, trot and canter) with different markers to clarify angles of the position. The results showed that the different seat deviations had measurable effects on the rider’s symmetry, rein tension and alignment. All riders showed a dominant strong side where the weight distribution and rein tension had a connection. The mechanical equestrian simulator and smart t-shirt provided objective feedback on the rider’s performance and posture, demonstrating a potential training aid for instructors and riders. This is a useful technique to improve the riders seat effectiveness and stability. In conclusion, the study suggested that the data from the mechanical equestrian simulator showed distribution of the rider’s weight and the asymmetries of the rider’s hand. The sensor for the hand’s angle velocity correlated to rein tension. The smart shirt can preferable be used to measure the angles of the rider’s arms. Practical implementation of modern technology such as the mechanical horse simulator and wearable sensors can support standardized assessment and correction of the rider posture, to improve riding technique and thereby horse welfare
The Fat Advantage
Full text linkUnderstanding the relationship between body condition and reproductive success is essential for effective wildlife management. In this study, we investigated whether fat reserves influence fecundity in female moose (Alces alces) in Sweden. Using data from harvested individuals, we assessed fat content from bone marrow and slaughter weight as indicators of body condition and counted corpora lutea (CL) as a proxy for reproductive potential. A Poisson regression revealed a positive association between fat content and fecundity, with slaughter weight also contributing significantly. However, when individuals were grouped by fecundity (0, 1, or ≥2 CL), ANOVA and Tukey HSD post-hoc tests showed no significant differences in fat content between groups. In contrast, CL-2 individuals were significantly heavier than those in lower fecundity groups, suggesting that body mass may be a more reliable predictor of reproductive output. A second ANOVA showed no significant age differences among fecundity groups, indicating that age was not a confounding factor. These findings suggest that while fat reserves may play a role in reproductive success, body weight is a stronger indicator, and age does not significantly influence fecundity in this population.För att effektivt kunna förvalta viltpopulationer är det viktigt att förstå sambandet mellan kroppskondition och reproduktiv framgång. I denna studie undersökte vi om fettreserver påverkar fertiliteten hos älgkor (Alces alces) i Sverige. Med hjälp av data från fällda individer analyserade vi fettinnehåll i benmärg och slaktvikt som indikatorer på kroppskondition, samt antalet gulkroppar (corpora lutea, CL) som mått på reproduktionspotential. Ett positivt samband mellan fettinnehåll och fertilitet visades med hjälp av en Poisson-regressionsmodell, där även slaktvikten visade sig ha en signifikant effekt. Däremot, när individerna delades in i fertilitetsgrupper (CL-0, CL-1, CL-2), visade både ANOVA och efterföljande Tukey HSD-test inga statistiskt signifikanta skillnader i fettinnehåll mellan grupperna. Däremot var CL-2-individer signifikant tyngre än de med lägre fertilitet, vilket tyder på att kroppsvikt kan vara en mer tillförlitlig indikator på reproduktiv förmåga. En uppföljande ANOVA visade inga signifikanta åldersskillnader mellan grupperna, vilket innebär att ålder inte var en förväxlingsfaktor. Resultaten tyder på att även om fettreserver kan spela en roll för reproduktiv framgång, är kroppsvikt en starkare indikator, och ålder påverkar inte fertiliteten i denna population
Pinus contorta i en karta
Full text linkI mer än hundra år har contortatallen (Pinus contorta) planterats i Sverige från liten skala med forskningsförsök till det moderna storskogsbruket. Det främmande trädslaget har en oklar påverkan på de svenska ekosystemen vilket gör att användandet regleras i svensk lagstiftning samt i skogsbrukscertifieringarna PEFC och FSC. Fjärranalys är ett alternativ för att mäta stora ytor på kort tid och Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet (SLU) har skapat en samling kartprodukter under namnet SLU Skogskarta, även kallat kNN Sverige med hjälp av satellitbildsskattning.
Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka hur väl SLU Skogskarta 2010 och SLU Skogskarta-Trädslag skattar trädslagsandelen contortatall för att ta reda på om kartprodukterna är tillräckligt noggranna, det vill säga +/- 10 procentenheter , för att kunna användas till att uppdatera skogsföretagens beståndsregister. Undersökningen genomfördes som en fallstudie med inventering på mark som ägs av Stora Enso Skog AB där trädslagsandel identifierades utifrån relaskopsmätt grundyta. Data bearbetades i QGIS och Excel och resultatet presenteras främst med RMSE, relativt RMSE samt medelavvikelse.
Resultatet av studien visar att det inte går att använda SLU Skogskarta 2010 och SLU Skogskarta-Trädslag till att uppdatera beståndsregister med då skattningarna inte är tillräckligt noggranna. RMSE och relativt RMSE beräknades till 46,7–58,9 procentenheter respektive 90%-113%. Medelavvikelsen för resultatet tyder på att både SLU Skogskarta 2010 och SLU Skogskarta-Trädslag systematiskt underskattar andelen contortatall, -46,17 respektive -41,97 procentenheter. Kartprodukterna är inte exakta nog för att antas beskriva verkligheten korrekt men de kan användas som ett hjälpmedel för att indikera områden med hög andel contortatall och då söka ut områden att vidare inventera.For more than a hundred years the lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) has been planted in Sweden, from small-scale research trials to modern large-scale forestry. The foreign tree species has an unclear impact on Swedish ecosystems, which is why its use is regulated in Swedish legislation and in the forestry certifications PEFC and FSC. Remote sensing is an alternative for measuring large areas in a short time and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has created a collection of map products under the name SLU Forest Map, also called kNN Sweden, using satellite images.
The purpose of this study was to investigate how well the SLU Forest Map 2010 and SLU Forest Map-Tree Species estimate the proportion of lodgepole pine in order to find out whether the map products are sufficiently accurate, i.e. +/- 10 percentage points , to be used to update the forest companies' stand register data. The study was conducted as a case study with an inventory on land owned by Stora Enso Skog AB where the proportion of tree species was identified based on relascope-measured basal area. The data was processed in QGIS and Excel and the results are presented primarily with RMSE, relative RMSE and mean deviation.
The results of the study show that it is not possible to use SLU Forest Map 2010 and SLU Forest Map-Tree Species to update the stand register data as the estimates are not sufficiently accurate. RMSE and relative RMSE were calculated to be 46.7–58.9 percentage points respectively 90%–113%. The mean deviation for the results indicates that both SLU Forest Map 2010 and SLU Forest Map-Tree Species systematically underestimate the proportion of lodgepole pine, -46.17 and -41.97 percentage points respectively. The map products are not precise enough to be assumed to describe the reality correctly, but they can be used as a tool to indicate areas with a high proportion of lodgepole pine and further to select areas for inventor
Green Shelves, Greener Choices?
Full text linkThis thesis investigates the impact of a behavioural intervention - specifically, a nudge in the form of a “Green Shelf” introduced in a Swedish supermarket - on the sales of plant-based food products. The intervention reorganised plant-based alternatives into a single, visually distinctive shelf to enhance visibility and encourage more sustainable consumer choices. Drawing on behavioural economics and choice architecture theory, the study employs a quasi-experimental design using daily point-of-sale data and applies a Difference-in-Differences (DiD) framework complemented by an event study analysis. Five treated product categories (meatlike, not meatlike, vegetarian fish, tofu/tempeh, vegetarian charcuteries) are compared to a control group (legumes) over an eight-month period.
The findings suggest that while most treatment effects are statistically insignificant, meaningful patterns emerge over time. Notably, the meatlike category - the largest among those examined - shows statistically significant short-term gains following the intervention, highlighting the nudge’s effectiveness in the absence of festive disruptions. Across all categories, sales increase up to the festive season, followed by a noticeable drop persisting through January, and then a gradual rebound beginning in February. These temporal dynamics suggest that although the overall impact appears modest, the intervention may hold the potential for longer-term behavioural change, particularly when external seasonal factors are accounted for. The results also support the parallel trends assumption and illustrate the feasibility of implementing nudging strategies in real-world retail environments. Limitations include the absence of a geographically distinct control store and potential indirect treatment effects on the control group.
This study contributes to the growing literature on nudging and sustainable consumption by providing real-world evidence of a long-duration, low-cost supermarket intervention. Continued monitoring of the Green Shelf, still in place, may offer valuable policy insights into the long-term effectiveness of visibility-based nudges in retail environments
Kroppsmått, kroppsvikt, hull och höftledstatus hos en kohort labrador retriever av jakt- respektive utställningstyp
Full text linkIdag är överhull och obesitas ett ökande problem inom hundpopulationen världen över. Överhull och obesitas ökar risken för bland annat kortare livslängd samt för att drabbas av ledpatologier som exempelvis höftledsdysplasi. Labrador retriever är en av de raser som har förhöjd risk att drabbas av överhull och obesitas.
Syftet med detta examensarbete var att beskriva en kohort, friska, unga labrador retriever i Sverige av jakt- respektive utställningstyp. Beskrivningen inbegriper morfometriska mått, kropps-vikt, hull och grad av höftledsdysplasi samt utvärderar möjliga skillnader mellan selekterade undersökta variabler.
I denna studie undersöktes data från en kohort av 45 labrador retriever. Samtliga var friska, intakta hanar i åldern 2–6 år. Hundarna klassificerades efter härstamning med hjälp av respektive hunds kennelnamn, alternativt föräldradjurens kennelnamn. Detta resulterade i indelningen 28 jaktavlade och 17 utställningsavlade labrador retriever. Undersökningar utfördes med avseende på kroppsvikt, hull, morfometriska mått och höftledsdysplasi. Jämförelser gjordes mellan jakttyp och utställningstyp samt mellan hundar i normalhull och lindrigt överhull.
Hundarna klassificerade som utställningstyp låg signifikant högre än jakttypen i kroppsvikt, de morfometriska måtten bröstomfång och kroppslängd samt i förekomst av lindrigt överhull. Hundar med lindrigt överhull hade, jämfört med de i normalhull, signifikant högre kroppsvikt och bröst-omfång samt lägre morfometriska kvoter (mankhöjd/kroppsvikt, bröstomfång/kroppsvikt och kroppslängd/kroppsvikt). Det fanns också skillnad i hull mellan hundar i olika åldrar, hundar 36 månader och äldre hade signifikant högre förekomst av lindrigt överhull jämfört med hundar yngre än 36 månader.
Totalt var 14 % av hundarna i studien behäftade med höftledsdyplasi grad C eller D, ingen hund hade grad E. Antalet hundar med höftledsdysplasi grad C och D var numerärt för litet för att statistiska undersökningar skulle kunna utföras mellan jakt- och utställningstyp samt mellan hundar i normalt hull och i lindrigt överhull.
Sammanfattningsvis noterades signifikanta skillnader med avseende på hull, kroppsvikt och morfometriska mått mellan labrador retriever av jakt- respektive utställningstyp. Vid undersökning av hela kohorten fanns indikationer på att hundar i lindrigt överhull hade större bröstomfång samt högre kroppsvikt än hundar i normalhull. Dessa skillnader saknades när undersökningen gjordes hos gruppen med jaktavlade labrador retriever, varför även andra parametrar än hull bör beaktas som möjlig orsak till skillnad i bröstomfång samt kroppsvikt. På grund av kohortens relativt ringa storlek bör resultaten tolkas med försiktighet. Ytterligare studier om användningen av kroppsmått och kvoter skulle kunna leda till mer precisa hullbedömningar i framtiden. Vidare studier om skillnader mellan jaktlabradorer och utställningslabradorer skulle kunna bidra till att utveckla avelsarbetet i rasen.Today, overweight and obesity are growing problems within the dog population worldwide. Overweight and obesity contribute to increased risk of, among other things, shorter lifespan and suffering from joint pathologies such as hip dysplasia. The Labrador retriever is one of the breeds that has an increased risk of being overweight and obese.
The aim of this master thesis was to describe a cohort of healthy, young gundog and common Labrador retrievers in Sweden. The description includes morphometric measures, body weight, body condition and degree of hip dysplasia and evaluates possible differences between selected investigated variables.
In this study, data from a cohort of 45 Labrador retrievers were analysed. All were healthy, intact males aged 2–6 years. The dogs were classified by pedigree using the respective dog's kennel name or the parent's kennel names. This resulted in 28 gundogs and 17 common type Labrador retrievers.
The dogs classified as common type were significantly higher than the gundogs in body weight, the morphometric measures chest girth and body length and in the prevalence of slight overweight. Dogs with slight overweight had, compared to those with normal body condition, significantly higher body weight and chest girth and lower morphometric ratios (withers height/ body weight, chest girth/body weight and body length/body weight). There was also a difference in body condition between dogs of different ages, dogs 36 months and older had a significantly higher incidence of mild overweight compared to dogs younger than 36 months.
In total, 14% of the dogs in the study were affected by hip dysplasia score C or D, no dog was scored E. The number of dogs with hip dysplasia score C and D was numerically too small for statistical investigations to be performed between gundogs and common type or between dogs in normal body condition and those which were overweight.
In summary, significant differences were noted regarding body condition, body weight and morphometric measurements between Labrador retrievers of gundog and common type. When examining the entire cohort, there were indications that dogs with slight overweight had larger chest circumference and higher body weight than dogs with normal body condition. These differences were absent when the study was conducted in the group with gundog type Labrador retrievers solely, why parameters other than body condition should also be considered as possible causes of differences in chest circumference and body weight.
Due to the relatively small size of the cohort, the results should be interpreted with caution. Further studies on the use of body measurements and ratios could lead to more accurate body condition assessments in the future. Further studies on the differences between gundog type and common type Labrador retrievers could contribute to future development of the breeds
En lekfull plats i staden för människans bästa vän
Full text linkHundar har funnits vid människans sida i århundranden och är ett av våra äldsta husdjur. Många människor spenderar mycket tid med sin hund, och i Sverige finns det över 1 miljon registrerade hundar samt 771 000 registrerade hundägare år 2025. Trots hundens betydelse i våra liv är stadsmiljön begränsande för hundar och hundägare. Detta på grund av att det finns få platser där man får ha sin hund lös och där den får röra sig fritt utan att vara bunden av offentliga ytors koppeltvång. Detta gör hundrastgårdar till en värdefull mötesplats för både hundar och deras ägare. En plats där hundar får möjlighet att mötas och leka med andra hundar. Samtidigt har antalet grönytor i Sverige minskat. I och med detta behöver de grönytor som planeras vara väl utformade.
Det är naturligt att hundägare vill att deras hund ska må bra i en trygg miljö där hunden får möjlighet att utvecklas. Genom att lära sig mer om hundens historia och grundläggande behov, kan detta möjliggöras. Forskning har visat att hundar mår bra av sociala interaktioner med andra artfränder på en trygg plats där de kan känna sig fria. Detta arbete fokuserar på Värpinge hundrastgård i Lund som idag är en välbesökt yta med utvecklingspotential för att kunna tillgodose både hundens och hundägarens behov. Utifrån detta diskuteras möjliga förbättringar för att kunna göra hundrastgården ännu mer attraktiv för dess brukare utifrån hundens och hundägarens perspektiv.Dogs have been companions to humans for centuries and are one of our oldest domestic animals. Many people spend a lot of time with their dogs, and in Sweden there are over 1 million registered dogs as well as 771 000 registered dog owners during the year 2025. Despite the importance of dogs in our lives, the urban environment is limiting for both dogs and dog owners. This is due to the limited amount of places where dogs can be off-leashed and move freely without being constrained by the city’s leash laws. This makes dog parks a valuable meeting place for both dogs and their owners and a place where dogs get the opportunity to meet and play with other dogs. At the same time the amount of available green spaces in Sweden have decreased. Due to this, must new and existing green spaces be well designed.
Humans have fundamental needs, and when these are fulfilled, it promotes health and well-being. Similarly, dogs also have essential needs that contribute to their overall happiness and welfare. Humans have through domestication made dogs more or less dependent on us. It is natural for dog owners to create a safe environment for their dogs where their pet can develop and thrive. By learning more about the history and basic needs for dogs, this can become possible. Research has shown that dogs benefit from social interactions with other dogs in a safe place where they can feel free.
This work focuses on Värpinge dog park in Lund, which today can be seen as an area that does not meet the needs for dogs and their owners. Based on this, possible improvements are discussed to make the dog park even more attractive for its users from the dog and dog owner’s perspective