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Your first cat : a study of preparations and knowledge among new cat owners
Get PDFThis study investigates how new cat owners prepare for ownership, their knowledge of relevant legislation, and whether these preparations correlate with reported behavioral issues in cats. A survey of 45 participants examined prior experience, preparation methods, legal awareness, and behavioral challenges.
Findings indicate that most respondents had previous experience with cats, often from childhood or acquaintances, which influenced how much information they sought before obtaining a cat. In total, 90% engaged in knowledge-based preparation, researching feline needs, behaviors, and veterinary care.
Despite this, legal knowledge was limited. While 47% were familiar with regulations, only 18% had actively read legislation before adoption, and many were unaware of where to find official information. This aligns with previous research indicating low awareness of animal welfare legislation among pet owners.
Behavioral problems were reported by 80% of participants, with the most common issues being furniture scratching (33%), object chewing (17%), and house soiling (13%). Prior studies suggest that a cat’s environment and owner knowledge significantly influence behavior. Well-informed owners can mitigate problematic behaviors through proper enrichment and understanding of feline instincts.
Results suggest that owner preparation may impact perceived behavioral issues, but external factors such as the cat’s background and environment also play a role. This study highlights the importance of accessible information about feline welfare and legislation to support responsible ownership and improve compliance with regulations
Comparative analysis of Faba bean (Vicia faba) genotype-phenotype relationships in pure versus mixed culture with cereals : assessing predictability and performance
Get PDFThere is a growing interest in diversifying agricultural systems both in Sweden and globally, particularly through the use of intercropping systems with legumes and cereals. These types of systems provide potential benefits such as increased biodiversity, reduced dependency on nitrogen fertilizer, and increased resource-use efficiency. Legumes, such as faba bean, are particularly promising due to the plant’s ability to form symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixating bacteria, thereby reducing input needs and improving soil fertility. However, the success of these intercropping systems are dependent on functional compatibility and complex inter- and intraspecific plant-plant interactions, which in turn are strongly influenced by the phenotypic plasticity of the crop components of the intercrop.
The aim of this thesis was to examine whether or not trait plasticity of faba bean is different when it is grown in pure and mixed cultures, and whether different neighbouring crops affect the faba bean differently. Finally, to determine whether or not it is possible to predict traits and phenotypes of faba bean grown in mixed cultures from their corresponding phenotypes found when grown in pure culture. The study was conducted based on data from a field trial in Uppsala 2024 (Sweden), where two varieties of faba bean (‘Stella’ and ‘Vertigo’) were grown as pure cultures and as mixed cultures with spring oat and spring wheat, with two different fertilizer treatments (no N and +N).
Grain yield showed significant differences both between pure and mixed cultures, and with different neighbours, with faba bean overall having higher yields compared to cereals. The land equivalent ratio showed a significant difference between the no N and +N treatments, with mixture grown with no N being able to utilize a smaller land area to produce the same yield of aboveground dry biomass. Trait plasticity analysis, especially for later stages, showed significant differences for faba bean in trait plasticity of aboveground dry biomass under different fertilizer treatments for different neighbours (faba bean, spring oat and spring wheat) as well as mixtures grown with no N tending to exhibit an increased trait responsiveness to intercropping. In biomass traits for cereals, although no significant difference was seen between different neighbours or fertilizer treatments, mixed cultures tended to exhibit a decrease or suppression in trait responsiveness to intercropping.
This thesis concluded that significant effects on trait plasticity were more frequently observed later into the growing season, especially under no N treatments. This suggests a stronger contribution due to environmental factors increasing over time
High-Value Markets and the Economic Viability of Agroforestry: A Case Study in Southwestern Antioquia, Colombia
Get PDFAgroforestry, despite its well-documented environmental benefits, still holds significant potential for broader adoption. A critical factor for scaling agroforestry is ensuring its economic viability. There is a recognised need for more data on the socioeconomics of agroforestry and for research to move beyond biophysical indicators by placing greater emphasis on the analysis of socioeconomic dimensions. This study employed semi-structured interviews and the TAPE framework to investigate how participation in high-value markets influences the economic viability of agroforestry systems in Southwestern Antioquia, Colombia. The findings show that participation in high-value markets significantly increased farmers' incomes. A combination of high-value crops and value-added processing emerged as an effective strategy for improving profitability. Agro- and ecotourism also provided important supplementary income streams. Collaboration, primarily with associations, other farmers, extension services and cooperatives, supported access to high-value markets. Furthermore, participation in such markets created incentives for adopting agroecological practices. Beyond market incentives, farming decisions were influenced by values such as food sovereignty, tradition and environmental stewardship. This case study identifies strategies that small-scale agroforestry producers used to achieve profitability without compromising ecological benefits, such as soil conservation and biodiversity, or social values like food sovereignty. These strategies offer insights for designing and managing sustainable agroforestry production systems globally
Jordloppor i korn på Gotland och i Mälardalen
Get PDFTvå släkten av jordloppor, Phyllotreta och Chaetocnema, har länge varit kända för att orsaka skador på korn i Sverige, men de anses sällan orsaka tillräckligt med skada för att det skulle vara ekonomiskt fördelaktigt att bekämpa dem med insekticider. Denna uppfattning har utmanats av de senaste årens stora förekomster och skador av jordloppor i Sverige, främst i Mälardalen samt på Gotland. Hittills har ingen koppling mellan insekticidbehandlingar av korn och ökad skörd kunnat påvisas. Växtskyddscentralerna i Uppsala och Kalmar har gjort inventeringar av jordloppor i Mälardalen och Gotland under åren 2019–2024 för att avgöra vilka arter som är vanligast förekommande och vilka arter som orsakar störst skada på vårkorn. Denna studie syftar till att sammanställa data som samlats in från Växtskyddscentralen i kombination med en studie av relevant litteratur som behandlar jordloppornas biologi, livscykler och bekämpning för att skapa en tydligare bild av vilka arter som kan orsaka mest skada och vad som kan göras för att hantera dem. Studien behandlar endast de arter av jordloppor som har hittats i de högsta kvantiteterna. Dessa är Phyllotreta vittula, Phyllotreta atra, Chaetocnema mannerheimii, Chaetocnema concinna och Chaetocnema hortensis. De vanligaste arterna över lag var P. vittula, följt av C. concinna/hortensis, C. mannerheimii och P. atra, i den ordningen. I detta arbete behandlas C. concinna och C. hortensis som ett artkomplex eftersom bestämning av dessa arter inte alltid var säker. Alla tre arterna av Chaetocnema-släktet förekom i betydligt högre andel på Gotland, och båda arterna av Phyllotreta-släktet hittades i betydligt högre antal i Mälardalen. Data indikerade att P. vittula och P. atra båda toppar i antal något tidigare än C. mannerheimii och C. concinna/hortensis och antalet verkar minska snabbare än Chaetocnema-arterna, som utgjorde majoriteten av jordlopporna från vecka 23 och framåt. Vissa arter, som C. concinna och P. atra, tenderar att orsaka de mest betydande skadorna på grödorna under deras adulta stadie på våren, medan andra arter, exempelvis C. mannerheimii orsakar mer skada under sina larvstadier. Vissa data som presenteras i arbetet tyder på att det skulle kunna finnas ett samband mellan insekticidbehandling under de veckor då Chaetocnema-arterna var som mest talrika och en signifikant skördeökning. Detta stöds ytterligare av det faktum att alla larver som samlats in från strå och stråbaser fastställdes vara av Chaetocnema-släktet, med en majoritet C. mannerheimii. Fler fältstudier kommer att behövas för att potentiellt befästa denna länk. Viss information tyder på att C. mannerheimii står för en stor andel av skadorna i vårkorn och det finns grund för att utveckla vår kunskap om arten.Two genera of flea beetle pests, Phyllotreta and Chaetocnema, have long been known for causing damage to barley, but they are rarely seen as causing enough damage that it would be economically beneficial to manage them with insecticides. This idea has been challenged by the recent outbreaks of flea beetles in Sweden, mainly in the Mälardalen region as well as on the island Gotland. So far, a link has not been made between insecticide-treatments aimed at flea beetles in barley and an increase in yield. The Plant Protection Centers in in Uppsala and Kalmar, Sweden has conducted inventories of flea beetles in Mälardalen and Gotland in the years 2019–2024 to determine which species are most commonly occurring and which species cause the most
significant damage to spring barley. This study aims to compile the data collected from the Plant Protection Centers in combination with a study of relevant literature addressing the biology of flea beetles to create a clearer picture of which species may be causing the most damage and what might be done to manage them. The study addresses only a few species of flea beetles, mainly those which have been found in the highest quantities. These are Phyllotreta vittula, Phyllotreta atra, Chaetocnema mannerheimii, Chaetocnema concinna and Chaetocnema hortensis. The most found species in both regions combined were P. vittula, followed by C. concinna/hortensis, C. mannerheimii, and P. atra, in that order. For this work, C. concinna and C. hortensis were treated as one and the same, as the determination of these species were not always certain. All three species of the Chaetocnema-genus were present in significantly higher proportions on Gotland, and both species of the Phyllotreta-genus were found in significantly higher proportions in Mälardalen. The data indicated that P. vittula and P. atra both peak in numbers slightly earlier than C. mannerheimii and C. concinna/hortensis and the numbers seem to dwindle quicker than for the Chaetocnema-species, which made up the majority of the flea beetles from week 23 and onwards. Some species, like C. concinna and P. atra tend to cause the most significant damage to the crops during their adult stage in the spring, while the other species like C. mannerheimii cause more damage during their larval stage. Some data presented in the work suggest that there might be a link between insecticide treatment in the weeks when the Chaetocnema-species were at their peak and an increase in yield. This is further backed up by the fact that the larvae collected from the stem and stem-base were all determined to be of the Chaetocnema-genus, with the majority being C. mannerheimii. More field studies will be needed to potentially solidify this link. Some information indicates that C. mannerheimii is causing a significant amount of the damage to spring barley, and therefore we would benefit from further research on this specific species
Underväxtröjningens inverkan för ett lyckat föryngringsresultat och effektiv föryngringsavverkning
No full textDenna kandidatuppsats ämnade att undersöka hur plantors vitalitet och tillväxt hos trädslagen tall (Pinus sylvestris) och gran (Picea abies) påverkas av konkurrerande vegetation, samt hur förekomsten av underväxt inverkar på skördarförarens produktivitet vid en föryngringsavverkning. Eftersom en lyckad föryngring är avgörande för att skapa livskraftiga och ekonomiskt hållbara framtida skogar med en hög gagnvirkesproduktion är det viktigt att identifiera och förstå de olika hinder som negativt påverkar skogens utveckling. Genom statistiska analyser och jämförelser med tidigare studier visar resultaten på ett samband mellan en hög täthet av konkurrerande vegetation och minskad plantvitalitet för både tall och gran, samt nedsatt tillväxt hos tall och en lägre produktivitet för skördare vid föryngringsavverkning. Gran var genomgående mindre negativt påverkad av konkurrerande vegetation jämfört med tall. Baserat på resultaten i denna studie tillsammans med tidigare studier framstår en underväxtröjning som motiverad vid en stamtäthet över 4000 underväxtstammar per hektar för tall och 5000 för gran.This bachelor's thesis aimed to investigate how the vitality and growth of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Norway spruce (Picea abies) seedlings are affected by competing vegetation, as well as how the presence of understory vegetation impacts harvester operator productivity during regeneration felling. Since successful regeneration is crucial for establishing vigorous and economically sustainable future forests with high merchantable timber production, therefore it is important to identify and understand the various obstacles that negatively impact forest development. Through statistical analyses and comparisons with previous studies, the results show a correlation between high densities of competing vegetation and reduced seedling vitality for both pine and spruce, as well as decreased growth in pine and lower productivity for harvesters during regeneration felling. Spruce was consistently less negatively affected by competing vegetation compared to pine. Based on the findings of this study, together with previous research, pre- commercial thinning of the understory appears to be justified at a stem density exceeding 4,000 understory stems per hectare for pine and 5,000 for spruce
When Water Rises, Do Prices Fall?
Get PDFThis thesis explores whether the record 18 August 2021 cloudburst in Gävleborg affected the prices of homes situated on the flooded streets. I merge 10 888 residential transactions from the Booli database with address-level Depth × Rain scores to identify highly exposed dwellings and employ a Difference-in-Differences framework, complemented by a weekly event-study spanning two years around the storm. Controlling for fixed housing attributes and calendar-week trends, the preferred specification indicates a price discount of about 1 350 to 1 475 SEK/m2, which corresponds to a decline of 6–7 % for highly exposed properties relative to very-low-risk comparators. The largest negative point estimates appear for ground-floor apartments and for sales concluded within the first post-event year, hinting at behavioural salience that may fade over time. Although Sweden’s standard home-insurance cover is still broadly available, recent reporting suggests that both insurers and lenders are beginning to reassess climate-exposed collateral, which could amplify market responses in the future. Taken together, the evidence offers cautious support for the notion that pluvial-flood risk is capitalised in Swedish housing prices, but further research with additional events and longer horizons is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn
How Does Nest Predation Affect Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) Breeding?
Get PDFThe Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) population in the Baltic Sea has suffered from a huge decline during the last decades. Nest predation on eggs from Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix) and Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) has been proposed as one of the possible reasons for the decline. Other explanations are quality changes in the eiders’ main food Blue Mussels (Mytilus edulis) and predation on adults and ducklings. There is a lack of studies examining nest predation in eider colonies in Swedish waters. Therefore, this study has investigated the early nest predation on eider nests at Stora Karlsö in the Baltic Sea. Possible factors contributing to egg predation has been examined, along with the consequences for the eider breeding. Camera surveillance was conducted between mid-April until mid-June 2024, monitoring a total of 17 eider nests. The predation pressure on eider eggs was high, with 42 % of the total clutch size being predated by Hooded Crow and Herring Gull, thus reducing the nest success to 65 %. One of the conclusions was that nest predation had more effect on the nest success than on the number of chicks per nest, possibly caused by female eiders in a poor body condition being more affected by egg predation and thus abandoning their nest. Furthermore, the risk of egg predation was highest in morning and mid-day during the egg laying days, explained by activity patterns of predators and egg guarding patterns of females. Another conclusion was therefore that there is a possible trade-off between foraging and egg guarding for eider females at Stora Karlsö, making eider females in a poor condition particularly vulnerable to early egg predation
Samband mellan hundars personlighet och fysiologiska och beteendemässiga reaktioner vid von Freys test
No full textSyftet med denna studie var att undersöka om det fanns något samband mellan olika hundars per-sonlighetsdrag, baserat på enkäten Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ), samt deras fysiologiska och beteendemässiga reaktioner vid känslighetstestet von Frey med fokus på smärta. I studien ingick tolv hundar, varav åtta tikar och fyra hanar, mellan åldrarna 1–7 år och av varierande ras. Alla hundar har medverkat på ett besök på klinik där olika fysiolo-giska och beteendemässiga parametrar har bedömts före, under och efter känslighetstest med von Frey. Varje hundägare fick innan besöket fylla i en personlighetsenkät, C-BARQ, om sin hund som därefter har analyserats och översatts till olika beteendekategorier som kan relateras till olika personlighetsdrag. Utöver detta har hundarna lämnat 4 urinprov för analys av kortisol-kreatinin-kvot. Dessa prover var tagna dels i hemmiljö (kvällen innan, morgonen samma dag), dels direkt före och efter klinikbesöket. Hundarnas hjärtfrekvens mättes under hela besöket med hjälp av en pulsmätare. Hundarna blev även filmade för senare beteendeanalyser. Under besöket utfördes känslighetstestet von Frey i två omgångar; före och efter smärtstimulering med tourniquet.
Samtliga resultat redovisas deskriptivt (C-BARQ, hjärtfrekvens, kortisol-kreatinin-kvot, känslighet under von Frey samt totalantalet gånger olika typer av smärt-/stressbeteenden uppvisades). Indi-kation fanns på att kortisol-kreatinin-kvoten och hjärtfrekvensen steg efter känslighetstestet. Vid von Freys test sågs ett potentiellt mönster att känsligheten minskade efter smärtstimuleringen vilket kan vara en effekt av “conditioned pain modulation” (CPM). Liknande mönster sågs på hjärtfrekvensen samt beteendefrekvensen på beteendena “bågformig position”, “flykt”, “kontakt-sökande”, “drar undan benet”, “tittar mot benet” och “gömmer sig”. Vid studier av de individuella resultaten sågs ett eventuellt samband mellan en hög känslighet vid von Frey och ett högt medel på beteendekategorier relaterade till rädsla (framför allt ”non-social fear”) och extrovertism (framför allt ”exploration tendency”) i C-BARQ. Utöver detta kunde ett eventuellt samband ses mellan be-teendet “flykt” och en oförändrad/sänkt kortisol-kreatinin-kvot samt mellan beteendet “frysning” och en förhöjd kortisol-kreatinin-kvot och sänkt hjärtfrekvens.
För att utveckla studien vidare och påvisa samband behövs statistisk analys av ett större antal hundar, en mer kontrollerad och likartad hantering av hundarna under besöket och en bättre filmning för bedömning av beteende. Detta är önskvärt för att i framtiden kunna uttala oss vidare kring hur olika typer av hundar bäst hanteras i kliniska situationer för att minimera onödig stress och snabbare upptäcka smärttillstånd.The purpose of this study was to investigate if there is any connection between different dogs’ personality traits, based on the survey Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ), and their physiological and behavioral reactions to the sensitivity test von Frey with focus on pain. The study included 12 dogs, of which 8 bitches and 4 males, between the ages 1–7 years and of varying breed. All dogs have participated in a visit to the clinic where different phy-siological and behavioral parameters have been assessed before, during and after the sensitivity test with von Frey. Each dog owner had to fill out a personality questionnaire, C-BARQ, about their dog which has been analyzed and translated into different behavioral categories which can be related to different personality traits. The dogs have, in addition to this, submitted 4 urine samples for analysis of cortisol-creatinine ratio. These samples were taken partly in the home environment (the evening before, the morning of the same day) and directly before and after the clinic visit. The heart rate of the dogs was measured during the whole visit with a heart rate monitor. The dogs were also videotaped for later behavioral analyses. During the visit the sensitivity test von Frey was done two times, before and after pain stimulation with a tourniquet.
All results are presented descriptively (C-BARQ, heart rate, cortisol-creatinine ratio, sensitivity during von Frey and the total number of times different types of stress/pain behavior were shown). An indication was that the cortisol-creatinine ratio and heart rate rose after the sensitivity test. During the von Frey’s test a potential pattern was seen that the sensitivity decreased after pain stimulation which may be an effect of conditioned pain modulation (CPM). A similar pattern was seen on the heart rate and behavioral frequency on the behaviors “arcuate position”, “flight”, “contact seeking”, “pulls the leg away”, “looks at the leg” and “hiding”. According to the indi-vidual results a possible connection was seen between high sensitivity during von Frey and a high mean value in behavioral categories related to fear (above all “non-social fear”) and extrovertism (above all “exploration tendency”) in the C-BARQ. In addition to this, a possible connection between the behavior “flight” and an unchanged/a lowered cortisol-creatinine ratio was seen and also between the behavior “freezing” and a raised cortisol-creatinine ratio and lowered heart rate.
To elaborate the study further a larger number of dogs should be analyzed statistically, and pre-ferably a more controlled and similar handling of the dogs during the visit as well as better video recordings for the behavioral assessment. It is desirable in the future to minimize unnecessary stress and faster discover pain conditions by being able to know how different types of dogs should be handled in clinical situations
Självföryngring i stickvägar – en analys av väderstreckens påverkan
Get PDFAdaptivt och intelligent brukande av skogen kräver god förståelse för ekologi kopplat till självföryngring, där ljus kan vara en avgörande faktor. Många av de naturligt förekommande trädslagen i boreal skog är anpassande till en störningsregim som innebär ofta återkommande samt större kalytor med ett ljusinsläpp till fältskiktet och därigenom de unga trädplantorna. Avsaknaden av detta ljusinsläpp vid hyggesfria skogsbruksmetoder innebär utmaningar, vilka kräver nytänkande och vidare förståelse för att möta.
Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka hur avlånga luckors kompassriktning påverkar ljustillgången och därigenom självföryngringen i upptagna luckor. I studien undersöktes även vilka andra beståndsfaktorer som påverkar plantetablering och tillväxt.
Studien utfördes på tio bestånd i Västmanland där totalt 100 transekter i stickvägar av nord-sydlig respektive öst-västlig riktning inventerades. Data samlades in om plantantal, trädslag, stickvägarnas kompassriktning, markförhållanden och beståndsstruktur. Statistiska analyser genomfördes för att testa skillnader i plantetablering och tillväxt beroende på de olika beståndsfaktorerna.
Resultaten visade att både antalet etablerade plantor och deras medelhöjd var signifikant högre i stickvägar med nord-sydlig riktning än i de med öst-västlig riktning. Denna skillnad kvarstod även vid analys av enbart barrträd för planthöjd, men inte för plantantal. Markstörning och fuktiga markförhållanden visade sig också positivt påverka föryngringen.
Studien bekräftar tidigare kunskap om ljusets och markstörningens betydelse men tillför ny förståelse om väderstreckens inverkan på självföryngring. Praktiskt innebär detta att taktisk placering av stickvägar i nord-sydlig riktning kan leda till minskade viltbetesskador och förenkling vid framtida omställningar till hyggesfritt skogsbruk.Adaptive and intelligent forest management requires a solid understanding of ecological processes related to natural regeneration, where light availability can be a decisive factor. Many tree species naturally occurring in boreal forests are adapted to a disturbance regime that involves frequent and large canopy openings, allowing light to reach the ground layer and thereby support young seedlings. The absence of such light in continuous cover forestry presents challenges that demand innovative thinking and a deeper understanding to address.
The aim of this study was to investigate how the aspect (orientation) of elongated canopy gaps affects light availability and thus natural regeneration. Additionally, the study examined which other stand factors influence seedling establishment and growth.
The study was conducted in ten forest stands in Västmanland, Sweden, where a total of 100 transects in north-south and east-west oriented strip roads were surveyed. Data were collected on seedling density, tree species, strip road aspect (cardinal direction), soil conditions, and stand structure. Statistical analyses were performed to test for differences in seedling establishment and growth based on these factors.
The results showed that both the number of established seedlings and their average height were significantly higher in north-south oriented strip roads compared to those oriented east-west. This difference persisted for conifer height, but not for conifer seedling density. Soil disturbance and moist soil conditions also had a positive effect on regeneration.
The study confirms existing knowledge about the importance of light and soil disturbance, while contributing new insights into how aspect influences natural regeneration. Practically, this implies that placing strip roads in a north-south direction can help reduce browsing damage from wildlife and facilitate future transitions to continuous cover forestry
Grothantering i Sverige - skogsaktörers prioriteringar och strategier
Get PDFI Sverige har skogsbränslet grot, det vill säga grenar och toppar som uppstår vid avverkning, fått en allt viktigare roll som förnybar energikälla. Grotens användning inom bioenergi har ökat, samtidigt som dess hantering innebär flera utmaningar kopplade till kvalitet och logistik. Den globala energikrisen som kulminerade under 2022 har medfört stora förändringar i efterfrågan på biobränslen och därigenom påverkat hur skogsaktörer arbetar med grot. Syftet med denna studie har varit att undersöka hur förändrade marknadsförutsättningar har påverkat grotens praktiska hantering, särskilt i fråga om kvalitet, logistik och ekonomisk lönsamhet. Studien bygger på kvalitativa intervjuer med representanter från värmeverk, entreprenadföretag och skogsaktörer.
Resultaten visar att grot idag ses som en strategiskt viktig råvara, där hanteringen i allt större utsträckning styrs av externa krav på kvalitet och miljöpåverkan, framför allt NOx-utsläpp. Under energikrisens mest akuta skede tvingades många aktörer till temporära lösningar, där flisning skedde tidigare än planerat och material med hög fukthalt togs i bruk. Detta skedde främst för att säkra bränsletillgång, snarare än att optimera kvalitet. Trots detta ökade grotens ekonomiska betydelse. Skogsaktörerna vittnar om god lönsamhet i grotleveranserna och jobbar åter aktivt med att säkerställa kvalitet för fortsatt ekonomisk bärkraft.
I takt med att marknadsläget stabiliserats har även skogsaktörer återgått till mer långsiktiga strategier, där fokus ligger på kvalitetssäkring genom längre lagringstider och bättre hantering. Värmeverkens krav har fortsatt stort inflytande på hanteringen och påverkar beslut längs hela kedjan, från uttag och torkning till leverans. Studien visar att grotens hantering är under ständig utveckling, där aktörer balanserar mellan att vara flexibla i krissituationer och att möta långsiktiga kvalitets- och miljökrav.In Sweden, forest biomass known as grot, comprising branches and tops left over after logging, has assumed an increasingly important role as a renewable energy source. The use of grot in bioenergy has grown, while its handling continues to present several challenges related to quality and logistics. The global energy crisis that peaked in 2022 led to major shifts in the demand for biofuels, which in turn has affected how forestry actors manage grot.
The purpose of this study has been to examine how changing market conditions have influenced the practical handling of grot, particularly in terms of quality, logistics, and economic profitability. The study is based on qualitative interviews with representatives from heating plants, forestry contractors, and forest companies.
The results show that grot is now regarded as a strategically important raw material, with its handling increasingly shaped by external demands related to quality and environmental impact, especially NOx emissions. During the most critical phase of the energy crisis, many actors were forced to adopt temporary measures, including earlier-than-planned chipping and the use of material with higher moisture content. These actions were driven primarily by the need to secure fuel supply rather than optimize quality.
Despite these challenges, the economic significance of grot increased. Forestry stakeholders report strong profitability in grot deliveries and have since resumed a more active focus on quality requirements to ensure continued economic viability.
As the market situation has stabilized, actors have returned to more long-term strategies, emphasizing quality assurance through extended storage periods and improved handling practices. The requirements set by heating plants continue to have significant influence, shaping decisions throughout the entire value chain, from extraction and drying to delivery. The study concludes that the management of grot is continuously evolving, as actors seek to balance flexibility during crisis situations with long-term commitments to quality and environmental standards