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Alternative Nordic Uses of Aspergillus oryzae : the potential of the koji products fava bean shoyu and aged cheese
Get PDFThis study explores the potential of integrating koji (Aspergillus spp.), a traditional East-Asian fermentation mould, into novel Nordic produced food items. By exam-ining two Japanese innovations, a fava bean-based shoyu (soy sauce substitute) and a surface-ripened cow cheese using koji, this report evaluates their feasibility and relevance within a Nordic context. Swedish research and consumer behaviour stand example as a Nordic reference. The selection of fava beans addresses regional ag-ricultural suitability and the increasing interest in legumes, while the koji-ripened cheese demonstrates the fungi’s potential on dairy-based substrates. Through a re-view of scientific literature and qualitative interviews with Japanese producers, the report analyses production processes, sensory characteristics, and cultural compat-ibility. Using the 3F framework (ingredients, process, sensory profile), both prod-ucts are positioned within the spectrum of food innovation. Results indicate that both products hold promise for Nordic adaptation, particularly in niche markets prioritizing sustainability, local identity, and culinary innovation. The research highlights both the technical feasibility and cultural considerations necessary for integrating koji into Nordic food production, offering insights for producers inter-ested in developing regionally grounded, fermentation-driven products
Managing Revenue Uncertainty in Renewable Energy Auctions through Subsidy Design
Get PDFRenewable energy auctions have become a prominent policy instrument in recent years. A central issue with these auctions is that a significant number of participating projects end up not being realized. This thesis proposes a novel subsidy structure, the Moving Average Feed-in Premia, aiming to reduce revenue uncertainty of renewable energy projects and improve auction realization rates. By tying the selling price of produced electricity to a moving average price instead of the more volatile spot price, revenue uncertainty is reduced without increasing policy costs in the long run.
This thesis adds to the literature by quantifying the impact revenue uncertainty has on renewable energy outcomes. It fills a clear research gap as no previous literature has studied electricity price uncertainty within the context of renewable energy auctions. Using real option theory, non-realization of auction-winning projects is rationalised, and the role of revenue uncertainty in auction outcomes is identified. The developed model is simulated using three real-world cases based on German and Italian auction data, comparing outcomes under standard feed-in premia and moving average feed-in premia. The findings suggest that reducing revenue volatility by tying the selling price to a moving average can significantly improve auction realization rates and lead to an overall reduction in project abandonment
Biofilisk design i urbana miljöer
Get PDFStudien syftar till att undersöka hur yrkesverksamma landskapsarkitekter förhåller sig till och
praktiskt tillämpar principerna för biofilisk design i urbana miljöer. Undersökningen baserades
på åtta semistrukturerade intervjuer samt en kompletterande litteraturstudie.
Av det insamlade materialet framgår det att naturens närvaro generellt uppfattas som en självklar
och naturlig del av landskapsarkitektens yrke. Begreppet biofilisk design är däremot i stor
utsträckning okänt bland de intervjuade, även om dess underliggande principer återfinns i
praktiken. Dessa tar sig uttryck genom andra begrepp och arbetssätt snarare än som en medveten
tillämpning av en teoretiskt definierad modell.
Mot bakgrund av detta kan det konstateras att det finns ett behov av att utveckla tydligare
begreppsanvändning samt tillgängliga verktyg för att stödja ett mer systematiskt och medvetet
arbetssätt. Det framstår även som angeläget att lyfta fram och synliggöra den tysta kunskap som
växer fram genom yrkeserfarenhet i syfte att stärka naturens roll inom gestaltningsarbetet.The study aims to examine how professional landscape architects relate to and practically apply
the principles of biophilic design in urban environments. The study was based on eight semistructured
interviews and a complementary literature review.
The collected material indicates that the presence of nature is generally perceived as a natural and
integrated part of the profession. However, the concept of biophilic design is largely unfamiliar
to the interviewees, even though its underlying principles are evident in practice. These
principles are expressed through other terms and practices, rather than as a conscious application
of a theoretically defined model.
Against this background, it can be concluded that there is a need to develop clearer terminology
and accessible tools to support a more systematic and intentional approach. It also appears
important to highlight and make visible the tacit knowledge that emerges through professional
experience, in order to strengthen the role of nature within design practice
Ancient Silver Sentinels
Get PDFDeadwood is a key structural and ecological component in boreal forest ecosystems. One particularly distinctive type in northern Fennoscandia is dead standing Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris L.), known as kelo trees. Kelo trees play a crucial ecological role by offering habitat for specialized species and are primarily found in areas with minimal human disturbance. While previous studies have focused on Finnish boreal forests, little is known about kelo tree dynamics in other boreal ecosystem systems. Using dendrochronological field data, I assessed the age, year of death, and spatial distribution of 110 kelo trees in an old-growth forest within Tjeggelvas nature reserve (TNR) in northern Sweden. I found that they typically were clustered, died at an advanced age, and have remained standing for decades after death, however, some individuals died younger and showed no signs of reduced growth preceding death. Kelo tree recruitment in the study area did not follow previously assumed patterns in terms of recruitment rate and disturbance history, particularly due to the absence of fire. My findings suggest that kelo tree recruitment is influenced by a combination of long-term ecological processes and episodic stress events, and that the drivers and processes behind kelo tree recruitment vary between parts of Finland and this area in Sweden. However, these processes remain not yet fully understood, highlighting the need for further research. With climate change expected to increase small-scale disturbances, future kelo trees may emerge at younger ages and smaller sizes. Their ecological importance, slow recruitment rate, and low numbers in managed forests compared to the past show their high conservation value within natural Fennoscandian forests. Understanding the drivers of kelo tree formation under different disturbance regimes will be essential for informing conservation strategies in boreal forests facing climate-driven change
How do pictorial warnings affect smoking behavior?
Get PDFWhile the tobacco epidemic is a worldwide problem continuing to kill millions of people each year, evidence on the behavioral impact of pictorial health warnings remains limited. This study uses the synthetic control method to evaluate the effect Australia’s 2006 implementation of pictorial health warnings had on smoking prevalence. A synthetic Australia is constructed, which is a weighted combination of 15 OECD countries that did not implement pictorial health warnings during the period of the study. To assess the impact of the policy, smoking rates in Australia are then compared with smoking rates in its synthetic control, over the time period 1980-2012. The results points at a five percent decrease in smoking prevalence over a seven year long post-intervention period, although placebo tests show limited robustness of this finding. Even though the independent policy implications of my findings are limited, they align with previous work evaluating the same policy. Hence, when considered alongside earlier research, this study provides suggestive evidence that the Australian policy did cause smoking prevalence to decrease
Solubility and Functionality of a Novel Fava Bean Milk Powder
Get PDFAs interest in sustainable and plant-based alternatives to dairy products grows, legume-derived powders are being increasingly investigated for their functional properties in food systems. This study evaluates the solubility and emulsifying functionality of a novel fava bean milk powder (FBMP), produced from the Vicia faba cultivar Tiffany through enzymatic processing, UHT treatment, and spray drying. The solubility of reconstituted FBMP was tested under varying pH conditions (3–7) and physical treatments, including heating, high-shear mixing, ultrasonication, and soaking. Gravimetric analysis showed that solubility increased with pH and was highest after ultrasonic treatment, reaching 46 % at pH 7. Comparisons with cow’s milk powder indicated that FBMP reached approximately 57 % of the solubility of the reference dairy powder. Emulsions were prepared using FBMP at 10 % and 20 % concentrations, combined with varying oil-to-water ratios. Stability observations over 24 hours revealed that higher FBMP concentration and lower oil content (30:70 and 50:50) yielded more stable emulsions. These findings suggest that FBMP has potential as a functional ingredient in plant-based formulations but also highlight the need for processing optimization to improve its solubility and emulsifying performance
Framing sustainability
Get PDFThis thesis critically examines the intersection of environmental research, artistic expression, and museum curation, analyzing how these domains converge to influence public discourse on ecological issues. Art indeed serves as a potent medium for raising awareness and spark emotions, yet this raises questions regarding epistemological framing, interpretive agency, and the ethical implications of representation. Similarly, museums function as cultural institutions that mediate environmental narratives, negotiating tensions between advocacy, institutional objectivity, and public engagement. This study interrogates the extent to which art and museum practices contribute to meaningful ecological awareness or risk reinforcing superficial activism, ideological biases, or exclusionary discourses. Additionally, it explores the role of curatorial or artistic action in constructing imaginaries. This research discusses the effectiveness of art and museum-led initiatives in fostering sustained engagement with ecological issues
Klövviltskadornas betydelse inom skogsbruket – En studie på Em 1:1
Get PDFI Sverige har betesskador på ungskogar länge varit ett omdiskuterat ämne inom skogsbrukets sektor. Redan för flera hundra år sedan fanns det fakta om att djur som exempelvis älg och hjortdjur orsakade betesskador på ungskogar. Med tiden blev råvaran trä alltmer viktigare och skogsbruket utvecklades. I relation till detta blev betesskador mer omfattande. Lösningar för att minska betesskador i samspel med den ökande populationen utav klövviltstammar började diskuteras och medel i form av viltskyddsbehandling började användas, samt anpassning utav skogsskötsel.
Syftet med denna studie är att jämföra omfattningen av viltskador i relation till storleken på viltstammarna för att få en bredare förståelse kring sambandet mellan viltpopulationens utveckling och skogsskador. Studien utvärderar även hur skadebilden påverkas av olika metoder, såsom kemiska behandlingar och anpassad skogsskötsel.
Studien har genomförts på fastighet Em 1:1 belägen i Mönsterås kommun, och insamlingen av data har gjorts med hjälp av fältinventering av betesskador samt drönarinventering av viltstammarnas population.
Resultaten i studien visar en tydlig koppling. Områdena med högst viltstammar uppvisar den högsta skadefrekvensen vilket uppgick till 44 procent på huvudträdslagen, medan de områdena med lägre viltstammar låg på mellan 29–31 procent. En statistisk hypotesprövning bekräftade med 99,9 procents säkerhet att behandlade bestånd hade betydligt färre betesskador än obehandlade. Därefter styrker en regressionsanalys dessutom att högre andel RASE/björk hade ett samband med lägre skadenivåer.
Slutsatser ur studien visar att genom viltskyddsbehandling, samt anpassad skogsskötsel i form av att lämna lövträd vid röjning ger en positiv effekt på att betesskador på huvudträdslagen tall och gran minskar. En annan slutsats visar att det inte bara är älgen som orsakar betesskador, utan även de andra hjortdjuren. Slutsatsen som hela studien mynnar ut i är att det går att utföra ett hållbart skogsbruk i relation med höga viltstammar.In Sweden, grazing damage to young forests has long been a debated topic within the forestry sector. Already several hundred years ago, there were facts that animals like moose and other deer caused grazing damage to young forests. Over time, raw material wood became increasingly important, and forestry developed, and in relation to this, grazing became more extensive. Solutions to reduce the grazing damage in conjunction with the increasing population of ungulate began to be discussed and chemical treatment was introduced, along with adaptations in the forest management.
The purpose with this study is to compare the extent of wildlife damage in relation to ungulate population, to get a broader understanding of the relationship between wildlife populations dynamics and forest damage. The study also evaluates how damage patterns are affected by different methods, such as chemical treatments and adapted forest management practices.
Data collection has been carried out at the property Em 1:1 located in Mönsterås municipality, in the form of field inventories of browsing damage and drone surveys of the ungulate populations.
The results of the study show a clear connection. Areas with the highest wildlife populations exhibited the highest damage frequency, amounting to 44 percent on the main tree species while areas with lower wildlife numbers ranged between 29 and 31 percent. A statistical hypothesis test confirmed with 99.9 percent certainty that treated stands had significantly fewer browsing damages than untreated stands. A regression analysis furthermore demonstrated that a higher proportion of RASE/birch was associated with lower levels of damage.
Conclusions from the study show that through chemical protection treatment, as well as adapted forest management in the form of leaving deciduous trees when clearing, there is a positive effect on reducing grazing damage on the main tree species pine and spruce. Another conclusion shows that it is not only the moose that causes grazing damage, but also deer. The conclusion that the entire study leads to is that it is possible to have sustainable forestry in relation to high populations of wild animals
Certifierad eller inte: Enskilda skogsägares attityd till svensk skogspolitik och naturvård
Get PDFSweden’s forest policy is built upon the concept of freedom with responsibility, where production and environment are equally valid. Half of Sweden’s productive forest is owned by non-industrial private forest owners (NIPF owners), making them crucial players in managing these forests from economic, ecologic, and social perspectives. In response to today’s changing climate and biodiversity loss, Sweden has established the environmental goal Living forests, to protect and preserve the Swedish forest along with its vital ecosystem services. In addition to the Swedish forestry act, which all forest owners must adhere to, forest owners can certify their property. Currently, half of the productive forest land is certified, imposing stricter requirements than the mandatory forestry act, ensuring greater consideration for the environment. This study aims to understand if there is a difference in attitude towards Swedish forest policy and the level of knowledge about nature conservation between certified and non-certified NIPF owners. Given the high percentage of forest land owned by NIPF owners, it is relevant to investigate how they perceive their role in forest policy. The analyzis is based on a survey with responses from Swedish NIPF owners, representing all NIPF owners in Sweden. The survey questions are based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (ToPB) to better understand NIPF owners’ behavior and actions. Chi-square tests are used to examine significant difference regarding knowledge and attitude towards nature conservation between certified and non-certified NIPF owners. Results indicate that certification status influence NIPF owners’ attitudes and knowledge; there is a significant difference in responses between certified and non-certified NIPF owners in Sweden. In conclusion, both groups demonstrate good knowledge of nature conservation and believe that the Swedish forest policy is sufficient for sustainable forest management and preserve biodiversity
Metodutveckling för utvärdering av markradarteknik : Skapande av referensdata för radarforskning
Get PDFAs a result of technological advancements, there is growing interest in exploring the potential of autonomous machines to contribute to sustainable, efficient, and economic forest management. The development of new autonomous machine systems simultaneously places new demands on information and decision-making processes to make the right choices and achieve optimal outcomes. During site preparation and planting with autonomous machines, access to information about the structure and characteristics of the soil is crucial for selecting suitable planting spots.
Ground-penetrating radar is a technology that uses electromagnetic pulses to investigate subsurface materials, making it intriguing for forestry applications to detect rocks, obstacles, and other characteristics of the soil. Currently, knowledge is lacking regarding the potential of ground-penetrating radar in Nordic conditions and how different conditions affect its performance.
This report presents a method for creating reference data that can be used to evaluate ground-penetrating radar technology to increase the knowledge of radar within forestry. The reference data was generated through a combination of image processing, georeferencing, and computer-aided design. The report resulted in three-dimensional models of various ground profiles that can serve as a basis for investigating the ability to detect rocks and obstacles in the soil by radar. These models can also be used to assess other types of radar technologies, such as airborne ground-penetrating radar, and can contribute to future research where knowledge of soil characteristics is essential