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Can changes in animal husbandry make it easier to keep pigs outdoors?
Get PDFMajoriteten av de grisar som hålls utomhus i Sverige föds upp ekologiskt. De senaste åren har det i snitt slaktats 2,5 miljoner grisar i landet och av dessa har ungefär 2 % levt enligt ekologiska regelverk. Studier visar att grisar har större risk att utveckla beteendestörningar i inomhusmiljöer och kan utföra mer av sina naturliga beteenden utomhus. Det finns samtidigt risker med att hålla grisar utomhus, bland annat en ökad risk för smittsamma sjukdomar, parasiter och andra välfärdsrisker. Den här litteraturstudien syftade till att undersöka vilka sjukdomar och övriga välfärdsrisker som finns hos grisar utomhus och vad som kan implementeras i djurhållningen för att minska riskerna. Det gjordes avgränsningar för vilka sjukdomar och övriga välfärdsrisker som togs med i arbetet. Resultatet visar att det finns flera sjukdomar, parasiter och övriga välfärdsrisker som kan drabba grisar i utomhusproduktion samt olika strategier som kan minska riskerna. Flera av de strategier som finns att tillgå motsätter varandra vilket gör utomhushållning på många sätt komplicerad. Det är dock möjligt, men det behövs mer forskning på svenska förhållanden samt att det även behöver föras regelbunden statistik över hälsan hos de grisar som hålls utomhus.Most pigs kept outdoors in Sweden are raised organically. In recent years, an average of 2.5 million pigs has been slaughtered annually in the country, of which approximately 2% were raised according to organic standards. Studies show that pigs are at greater risk of developing behavioral disorders in indoor environments and that they can express more of their natural behaviors when kept outdoors. However, keeping pigs outdoors also presents risks, including a higher likelihood of infectious diseases, parasites, and other welfare-related issues. This literature review aimed to investigate the diseases and other welfare risks associated with outdoor pig farming and to explore the husbandry measures that can reduce these risks. The study focused on selected diseases and other welfare concerns. The results indicate that outdoor pigs can be affected by a range of diseases, parasites, and other welfare challenges, and that various strategies exist to mitigate these risks. However, many of these strategies conflict with one another, making outdoor pig farming complex in several ways. Despite these challenges, outdoor pig farming is feasible, but more research tailored to Swedish conditions is needed, along with regular statistics on the health status of pigs kept outdoors
Sourcing ecosystem based agricultural raw materials : insights from middle chain actors in Swedish agri food industry
Get PDFThis study explores the roles and perspectives of middle chain actors such as distributors, retailers, and processors in integrating Ecosystem Based Agriculture (EBA) into Sweden's agrifood supply chain. The primary intention of the study is to contribute to the understanding of the factors such as opportunities, challenges and drivers that influence the decision to source raw material from EBA. Major four food processing companies in Sweden participated in semi structured interviews as a method of gathering qualitative data. Thematic analysis was used to examine the data, with a connection to stakeholder theory and SWOT analysis. The results highlight that consumer demand, sustainability objectives, long term brand positioning may support the adoption of EBA. However, challenges including certification cost, inconsistent supplies and legislative restrictions may prevent the broader adoption of EBA. Notably the findings further emphasize that collaboration among different stakeholders is critical to enabling systemic change. The study concludes that middle chain actors can be a powerful agent for sustainable transformation if supported by relevant strategies and collaborative governance in aligning with the ecology and market interests
Cultivated forests in the forest industry : A case study on their impact at SCA’s sawmill in Bollstabruk
Get PDFDet här kandidatarbetet undersöker hur en ökad avverkning av kulturskogar påverkar stockdimensioner och virkeskvalitet i leveranser till SCA:s sågverk i Bollstabruk. Studien använder sig av kvantitativa data insamlade från SCA:s CT-skanner, där stockarna kommer från avlägg definierade som kulturskog. Analysen jämför timret från kulturskogarna med all virkesleverans till sågverket, där även kulturskogar ingår, vilket i det här arbetet benämns som referensskogar.
Resultaten visar att timret från kulturskogar har en jämnare fördelning av längd och diameter, men generellt sett en lägre kvalitet jämfört med timmer från referensskogarna. Endast 2 % av timret från kulturskogarna uppfyllde kraven för klass 1, jämfört med referensskogarna där andelen uppgick till 10 %. En förklaring till detta kan vara de korta omloppstider som är vanliga i kulturskogar. Dessa skogar gynnar snabb tillväxt, men det kan ske på bekostnad av vedens densitet och strukturella egenskaper.
Studien visar även att kulturskogar innehåller en högre andel klena stockar, vilket i sin tur kan påverka sågverkets effektivitet och lönsamhet negativt. Resultaten tyder på att samarbetet mellan skogsskötseln och industrin behöver stärkas för att säkerställa att tillgången på virke möter kvalitetskraven. Utan ett sådant samarbete riskerar tillgången till högkvalitativt timmer att minska över tid.
Utöver detta behandlar arbetet även hur ekonomiska incitament, prissättningsmodeller och klimatfaktorer påverkar avverkningsbeslut, och hur detta i sin tur påverkar timrets egenskaper. Sammanfattningsvis understryker studien vikten av ett välfungerande samarbete mellan skogsskötselstrategier och industrins behov för att säkra en hållbar virkesförsörjning.This bachelor’s thesis investigates how increased harvesting in cultivated forests influences log dimensions and timber quality delivered to SCA’s sawmill in Bollstabruk. The study is based on quantitative data obtained from a CT scanner, using logs sourced from identified harvesting locations. The analysis compares logs from forest plantations with all of timber deliveries to the sawmill, where forest plantations which are referred to as reference forests in this context.
The results indicate that logs from cultivated forests exhibit a more consistent distribution in length and diameter but generally have lower timber quality compared to those from the reference forests. Only 2% of the timber from planted forests met the criteria for class 1, in contrast to 10% from the reference group. One explanation may be the shorter rotation periods commonly applied in cultivated forests, which promote faster growth at the potential expense of wood density and structural quality.
The study also reveals that cultivated forests yield a higher proportion of small-diameter logs, which can reduce operational efficiency and profitability at the sawmill. These findings suggest that better coordination is needed between silvicultural practices and industrial requirements to align timber supply with quality demands. Without such alignment, the availability of high-quality timber may decline over time.
Additionally, the thesis discusses how economic incentives, pricing models, and climate-related factors such as increased storm and pest risks influence harvesting decisions and, consequently, the characteristics of harvested logs. Overall, the study highlights the importance of adapting forest management strategies to long-term industrial needs to secure a sustainable supply of timber
Sanctity of the grave - past and present : the meaning of grave sanctity at three permanently abandoned burial sites in Norrköping
Get PDFI Sverige råder gravfrid vilket innebär att gravar ska förbli orörda för all framtid. Detta arbete behandlar begreppet gravfrid samt hur tre varaktigt övergivna begravningsplatser har förändrats över tid och vilka konsekvenser dessa förändringar har haft för gravfridens bevarande. Frågeställningen lyder; Hur har förändringar för de varaktigt övergivna begravningsplatserna i Folkparken, i Hörsalsparken och på S:t Olofsskolans parkering i Norrköping påverkat gravfriden och på vilket sätt har man tagit hänsyn till gravfriden?
För att undersöka detta har tre platser i Norrköping studerats. Samtliga platser är varaktigt övergivna begravningsplatser. Idag har dessa platser andra funktioner och de betraktas även som kulturhistoriskt värdefulla miljöer. Staden Norrköping valdes eftersom staden drabbades särskilt hårt av pesten under 1700-talet. Anledningen till att utforska detta ämne är för att ge oss landskapsarkitekter mer kunskap att hantera kulturhistoriska miljöer där gravfrid råder.
Studien bygger på ett empiriskt vetenskapligt förhållningssätt med inslag av angreppssättet Grounded Theory, som präglar den metodologiska ansatsen. Dokumentstudier, tryckt litteratur, platsanalyser och intervjuer har använts parallellt och i samverkan för att besvara frågeställningen. Genom bearbetning och sortering av det insamlade materialet har en lokal teori utvecklats, specifikt anpassad till de tre undersökta platserna i Norrköping.
Resultaten visar att gravfriden i praktiken ofta har fått stå tillbaka för samtidens behov, det samtida värderas ofta högre än det förflutna. Studien visar även att tidens gång spelar en avgörande roll för hur dessa platser behandlas. Om platsens historia inte är levande i det kollektiva minnet, eller om den uppfattas som alltför avlägsen i tiden, tenderar den att ges mindre betydelse. Det är dessutom särskilt utmanande att bevara och synliggöra kulturhistoriska miljöer när deras värden är belägna under markytan och därmed inte är omedelbart synliga för allmänheten.
Vad gäller frågan om gravfridens påverkan på platsens utveckling framgår det att gravfriden i viss utsträckning har påverkat utformningen. I de fall där medvetenhet om gravfrid har funnits, har det i vissa situationer visats hänsyn, och anpassningar har gjorts i den fysiska gestaltningen. Resultatet visar dock även att hänsyn inte tagits trots att kunskap funnits. De kulturhistoriska värdena på platsen har i flera av dessa fall bedömts som relativt låga jämfört med dagens behov.
Arbetet belyser den komplexitet som uppstår i mötet mellan Norrköpings stads utveckling, vård av kulturhistoriska miljöer och respekt för gravfriden.In Sweden, there is sanctity of the grave, which means that graves should remain untouched forever. This work deals with the concept of sanctity of the grave and how three permanently abandoned burial sites have changed over time and what consequences these changes have had for the preservation of sanctity of the grave. The question is: How have changes to the permanently abandoned burial sites in Folkparken, in Hörsalsparken and ib St. Olof’s School parking lot in Norrköping affected the sanctity of the grave and in what way has the sanctity of the grave been taken into account?
To investigate this, three sites in Norrköping have been studied. All the sites are permanently abandoned burial sites. Today, these sites have other functions, and they are also considered to be culturally valuable environments. The city of Norrköping was chosen because it was hit particularly hard by the plague in the 18th century. The reason for exploring this topic is to give us landscape architects more knowledge to deal with cultural-historical environments where sanctity of the grave prevails.
The study is based on an empirical scientific approach with elements of the Grounded Theory approach, which characterizes the methodological approach. Document studies, printed literature, site analyses and interviews have been used in parallel and in collaboration to answer the research question. By processing and sorting the collected material, a local theory has been developed, specifically adapted to the three investigated sites in Norrköping.
The results show that, in practice, the sanctity of the grave has often taken a back seat to the needs of the present, with the present often valued more highly than the past. The study also shows that the passage of time plays a crucial role in how these sites are treated. If the history of the site is not alive in the collective memory, or if it is perceived as too distant in time, it tends to be given less importance. Moreover, it is particularly challenging to preserve and make visible cultural-heritage environments when their values are located below the surface and thus not immediately visible to the public.
On the question if the sanctity of the grave has had an impact on the development of the site, it appears that the sanctity of the grave has influenced the design to some extent. In cases where there has been awareness of the sanctity of the grave, consideration has been shown in some situations, and adjustments have been made in the physical design. However, the results also show that consideration has not been taken despite knowledge being available. In several of these cases, the cultural-historical values of the site have been assessed as relatively low compared to current needs.
The work highlights the complexity that arises in the meeting between the city of Norrköping’s development, care of cultural-historical environments and respect for the sanctity of the grave
Cocoa Production in the Central Region of Ghana : challenges and developments for a more sustainable production
Get PDFThe global cocoa production has experienced difficulties with climate change during the last years, and the global chocolate price has increased by 200% in two years. Ghana is the second largest producer of cocoa beans globally with 800 000 registered cocoa farms. Cocoa beans are Ghana’s most important export commodity that supports the whole country’s economy and GDP and is employing 70% of the agricultural sector. Central Region is one of Ghana’s cocoa districts, yet most information and research are based on other cocoa producing regions. The purpose of this study was to find the main challenges in cocoa production in the Central Region of Ghana and to see how the production can develop to be more sustainable. The study was conducted as a qualitative research based on interviews and observations in the Central Region in Ghana. Farmers, International Cocoa Organizations and employees at the governmentally owned Ghana Cocoa Boards [COCOBOD] were interviewed. The results show that farmers are challenged by high input prices and low output prices. Climate change is causing irregular rainfall which complicates the growing conditions as well as increasing pest infestation. The support from COCOBOD is helping the farmers, however the support is not regular nor working as it should. COCOBOD denies that cocoa production is a common cause of child labour and deforestation, which is proved by research and farmers. In order to develop the cocoa production in Ghana’s Central Region, farmers need to form producer groups to increase the knowledge sharing, invest in machines and have better communication with COCOBOD. COCOBOD on the other hand needs to invest and employ more consultants and review the cocoa price to mimic the global market fluctuations. That way profitability will increase and challenges with smuggling and land destruction by illegal mining will decrease
Possibilities and challenges with Bovaer : a qualitative study about the additive as a tool in the sustainability work in the dairy industry
No full textI dagens samhälle är arbetet med hållbar utveckling avgörande för att kunna uppnå klimatmålen samt motverka framtida negativa klimatförändringar. Denna studie har avgränsats till att handla om utsläpp inom mejeribranschen och användandet av fodertillskottet Bovaer. Mejeribranschen för med sig både positiv, men också negativ påverkan på klimatet. Det handlar i den här studien främst om idisslare, och metangasutsläppen de för med sig. Det har under lång tid forskats på lösningar för att minska idisslarnas utsläpp, och år 2022 lanserades Bovaer. Detta skapade uppståndelse och kritik hos många, däribland primärproducenter och konsumenter. Vad denna uppsats avser att undersöka är vad aktörer inom mejeribranschen, främst primärproducenter och mejeriföretag, upplever att det finns för möjligheter och utmaningar med fodertillskottet Bovaer och hur institutionella faktorer påverkar aktörernas inställning till ämnet.
För att kunna genomföra studien och besvara forskningsfrågorna har en kvalitativ metod använts och empiriinsamlingen består av nio semistrukturerade intervjuer med olika aktörer inom branschen. För att besvara på forskningsfrågorna har det teoretiska ramverket institutionell teori använts. Genom studien går det att se en viss oliksidig syn på användandet av Bovaer och det råder försiktighet och osäkerhet kring vilka långsiktiga effekter det kan finnas för djur, människor och miljön. Studien visar att institutionella faktorer som normer, regelverk och ekonomiska incitament är viktiga aspekter för att möjliggöra en bredare användning av fodertillskottet.In today's society, work towards sustainable development is crucial to achieving climate goals and counteracting future negative climate change. This study is limited to examining emissions within the dairy industry and the use of the feed additive Bovaer. The dairy industry has both positive and negative impacts on the climate. This study primarily focuses on ruminants and the methane emissions they produce. For a long time, researchers have sought solutions to reduce emissions from ruminants, and in 2022, Bovaer was launched. Its introduction sparked both attention and criticism, particularly among primary producers and consumers. This thesis aims to explore the perceived opportunities and challenges associated with Bovaer among actors in the dairy industry, mainly primary producers and dairy companies, and how institutional factors influence their attitudes toward the topic.
To conduct the study and answer the research questions, a qualitative method was used. Empirical data was collected through nine semi-structured interviews with various industry stakeholders. Institutional theory served as the theoretical framework for analyzing the findings. The study reveals differing views on the use of Bovaer, with caution and uncertainty surrounding its potential long-term effects on animals, humans, and the environment. It highlights that institutional factors such as norms, regulatory frameworks, and economic incentives are crucial for enabling broader adoption of the feed additive
Pinaceae in an urban context : implementing more conifer trees in the urban environment
Get PDFDet här arbetet, som innefattar 30 högskolepoäng på masternivå, har ett fokus på den urbana miljön i växtzon 1 och kopplar samman denna med växtfamiljen Pinaceae. Undersökningen gick ut på att ta reda på vilka arter, ur en familj med elva släkten som redan finns representerade i Malmö Stad, samt vilka andra arter inom Pinaceae som skulle kunna implementeras i urban miljö, zon 1. I en litteraturstudie undersöktes alla arterna för att få kännedom om var dessa härstammar ifrån och vilken typ av ståndort de föredrar. Utifrån den informationen kunde slutsatser dras om huruvida tidigare oprövade arter kan införas i den urbana miljön i zon 1. Studien undersökte också under vilka typer av förhållanden de olika arterna kan frodas i den urbana miljön, där vissa lägen är mer utsatta än andra. Arbetet har även innefattat intervjuer med personer som har praktisk erfarenhet av urban miljö i zon 1, för att få ett kompletterande och praktiknära perspektiv.This work, pertains 30 credits at master’s level, has a focus on the urban environment in plant zone 1 and links this to the plant family Pinaceae. The study aimed to find out which species, from a family of eleven genera, are already represented in Malmö City, and which other species within Pinaceae could be implemented in the urban environment, zone 1. The new species were investigated through a literature study to see where the species originated and what type of habitat they prefer. Based on this information, conclusions could be drawn on whether previously untested species could be implemented in the urban environment of zone 1. The study also investigated the types of conditions under which the different species can thrive in the urban environment, with some locations being more vulnerable than others. The work has also included interviews with people who have practical experience of the urban environment in zone 1, to gain a complementary and practical perspective
New Södervärn : design of a green, safe, and multifunctional traffic node in the densified Malmö
Get PDFSödervärn, ett område beläget i Malmö, har sedan 1886 varit en station för kollektivtrafik av olika slag,
både tåg och spårvagn, men numera endast buss. Transportnoden är beläget i norra delen av Södervärn
och delar namn med kvarteret. Bussterminalen är idag en viktig nod och transportknutpunkt för pendlare
och besökare. Platsen har dessvärre under åren utvecklats till en grå, hårdgjord och ovälkomnande plats
trots dess viktiga roll som entré in i Malmö för flera busslinjer.
Södervärn kommer inom snart framtid genomgå en delvis ombyggnation, vilken har som mål att
förbättra vardagen för de tusentals pendlare som reser till och från Södervärn. Det är en av stadens
viktigaste knutpunkter för både kollektivtrafik och cyklister, men platsen kan idag uppfattas som otrygg
och rörig. Detta gestaltningsförslag har som mål att gestalta platsen till en mer trygg, grön och trivsam
miljö. Då fastigheten Virket, som är beläget direkt sydväst om terminalen, ska byggas om till bland annat
servicehandel, vård, restaurang, och gym, behöver nya målgrupper tas hänsyn till vid gestaltningen.
Södervärn terminal kommer inte längre att endast brukas av resenärer, utan kommer att bli en del av
stadskärnan med multifunktionella trivsamma och välkomnande utrymmen för både resenärer, besökare,
och invånare. Trafiken har historiskt sett fått dominera platsen men med detta gestaltningsförslag ges
platsen tillbaka till medborgarna.Södervärn, an area located in Malmö, has been a station for various types of public transport since
1886, both trains and trams, but now only buses. The transport node is located in the northern part of
Södervärn and shares its name with the neighborhood. Today, the bus terminal is an important node and
transport hub for commuters and visitors. Unfortunately, over the years the place has developed into a
gray, paved, and unwelcoming place despite its important role as an entrance into Malmö for several bus
lines.
Södervärn will soon undergo a partial reconstruction, which aims to improve everyday life for the
thousands of commuters who travel to and from Södervärn. It is one of the city’s most important hubs
for both public transport and cyclists, but the place can today be perceived as unsafe and messy. This
design proposal aims to transform the place into a safer, greener, and more pleasant environment. As
the property Virket, which is located directly southwest of the terminal, is to be rebuilt to include retail,
healthcare, restaurant, and gym, new target groups need to be considered in the design. Södervärn
terminal will no longer be used only by passengers but will become part of the city center with
multifunctional, pleasant, and welcoming spaces for passengers, students, visitors, and residents. Traffic
has historically dominated the site, but with this design proposal, the site is given back to the citizens
Positive experiences with dog ownership : does the dog's size have any significance for the owner's and the dog's experiences?
Get PDFThe human–dog relationship is widely recognized for its potential to promote physical and
psychological well-being in owners. However, research has traditionally focused on the benefits to
humans, while the dog’s perspective has been less studied. This study aims to explore positive
experiences of dog ownership from both the owner's and the dog's point of view, with attention to
how these may relate to the dog's body size, measured by weight.
A total of 141 dog owners completed a web-based questionnaire distributed via social media and
university channels. Dogs were categorized into four weight groups: <10 kg, 10–<20 kg, 20–<30
kg, and ≥30 kg. The questionnaire included both quantitative and qualitative items addressing
quality of life, emotional support, preferred activities, and perceptions of the dog’s behavior and
emotional expressions. Results showed that 82% of owners reported that dog ownership greatly
improved their quality of life, and 84% stated that their dogs often or always provide emotional
comfort. Love and joy were the most frequently reported emotions experienced by owners when
spending time with their dogs. Owners of larger dogs more often reported a sense of security,
which may indicate a perceived connection between physical size and emotional stability. These
results are descriptive and not based on inferential statistics.
From the dog's perspective, behaviors associated with happiness, such as tail wagging, physical
activity, and social contact, were commonly reported across all weight classes. Some activity
preferences appeared to vary with size; for example, owners of larger dogs more frequently
described their dogs as enjoying swimming, tug-of-war, and search games. While this may partly
reflect breed-specific traits, it is also possible that such differences are shaped by owner behavior.
While owners described both themselves and their dogs as enjoying physical activities, they more
often emphasized their own preference for calm, quality time, whereas their dogs were perceived
as preferring play. This may illustrate interspecies differences in social interaction and
communication.
This study underlines the importance of considering both human and animal perspectives when
assessing welfare and satisfaction in pet ownership. It also contributes to the understanding of how
dog characteristics, such as size, may influence the dynamics of the human–dog relationship
Djurmiljöns utformning för hobby- och sällskapskaniner hos svenska djurägare : Design of the animal environment for hobby and pet rabbits among Swedish animal owners
No full textThe domesticated rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus var. Domestica) is kept by humans for various reasons. This study focused on domesticated rabbits for companionship and hobby, which is commonly found in European countries such as England, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. In Sweden the keeping of these rabbits are regulated by species-specific animal welfare legislation, and during the spring of 2025 a proposal with new requirements were suggested by the responsible authority. However, this proposal regarding hobby and pet rabbits received a lot of criticism and was withdrawn. The purpose of this study was to investigate how Swedish animal owners keep their hobby and pet rabbits. Another purpose was to investigate what knowledge and opinions rabbit owners had about the proposal with new requirements. A questionnaire was created and distributed on Facebook. There were 436 rabbit owners who answered the survey, and the results suggested that it was a variation in how the rabbits were kept. It was most common that the rabbits were kept inside, free-range or in a room/limited space, and the majority were kept in pairs. Many of the rabbit owners kept their rabbits in large spaces and the result was similar for both inside and outside. Most of the rabbit owners offered various interior designs and enrichments which gave the rabbits access to bedding materials, hiding opportunities, digging opportunities, viewing opportunities and extra activation. When it comes to the legislation proposal, most of the rabbit owners had knowledge and opinions about it. There was a majority that thought the proposal was good or partly good, which is an interesting result when compared to the criticism that the proposal has received