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Local varieties in the kitchen garden
Get PDFOur food system is facing several severe challenges. Climate change and population growth are just a few of the issues putting immense pressure on the agricultural food system. Yet, agriculture is a major contributor to environmental degradation. To ensure global food security, agriculture must not only produce sufficient food but do so sustainably, within the planetary boundaries. The concept of food system resilience is increasingly used to understand how the food system can become productive, and adaptive while mitigating the different threats. Diversification has been used as a risk minimizer throughout history and is emphasized in a range of global and national environmental goals. Increasing the genetic diversity in agriculture by cultivating local varieties and safeguarding the embedded traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), can be seen as a part of the solution. Still, genetic erosion and erosion of traditions are happening at an ever-faster rate. In Sweden, knowledge about these varieties and how they can improve food system resilience is still lacking amongst the general public. Hence this thesis focuses on how knowledge about and interest in local varieties can be fostered so that they can become a natural part of the food system. Furthermore, these varieties can be seen as a way to create an even greater connection to nature and foster care for the environment. Therefore, this thesis focuses on examining what potential tools can be used.
A case study of a Swedish agrarian museum, Katrinetorp Landeri, was made to gain an understanding of how these questions can be addressed on a local level. It was carried out through semi-structured interviews and observations at Katrinetorp and by drawing lessons from a reference place that already works with these issues, the local heritage society in Bjäre härad. The study resulted in three suggested tools directed to address deeper leverage points to encourage deeper, emotional connection and lead to behavioral change; storytelling, nature-based education, and co-creation. The result showed that visitors-gardens and museums can help increase knowledge about local varieties and potentially reach people with no previous interest or knowledge. However, for these varieties to re-enter the food system several other steps need to be addressed, for example, the lack of seed producers in Sweden that are willing to produce these varieties. The suggested vision can be seen as a small step in trying to place genetic diversity and local varieties on the agenda
Hur påverkar rekreation fågellivet i våtmarksmiljöer?
Get PDFLandskapsarkitektur syftar till att skydda människors och miljöns hälsa samtidigt som det
arbetas för en mer hållbar framtid, på senare tid med större fokus på biologisk mångfald.
Detta leder till att lösningar förväntas vara multifunktionella och alltså bistå med flera
lösningar inom samma landyta. Ökningen av rekreation i naturområden sätter press på
våtmarker där människor och natur försöker samexistera. I detta examensarbete har ett
större fokus lagts på fåglar, eftersom de är en bra indikator på biologisk mångfald och det
har upprepade gånger visats att mänsklig närvaro har en effekt på fågellivet i en våtmark –
och därigenom den biologiska mångfalden som helhet. Syftet är att hitta de sårbara delarna i
kombinationen av rekreation och fågelliv och att presentera lösningar på hur man kan mildra
eventuella negativa konsekvenser och sträva efter multifunktionaliteten. Effekten av åtta olika
parametrar på häckande fågelarter analyserades statistiskt för att skilja på deras separata
och kombinerade påverkan. Det visade sig att både ekologiska och urbana aspekter
påverkar fågellivet och att fåglarna i allmänhet verkar gynnas av att det inte finns människor i
våtmarkerna. Som ett exempel på god praxis diskuteras dock också att människors närvaro
kan ge ett viktigt, måttligt underhåll av områdena genom att boskap betar och skrämmer bort
rovdjur, vilket ökar fåglarnas mångfald. Dessutom kan människor bjudas in till våtmarkerna
med hjälp av små, men effektiva urbana ledtrådar som inte stör fågellivet nämnvärt och på så
vis få mer ut av sin rekreation. En bra våtmark gör det alltså möjligt för människor att uppleva
fågellivet och samtidigt låta fåglarna och den allmänna biologiska mångfalden frodas.Landscape architecture aims to protect human and environmental health while working for a
more sustainable future, lately with a greater focus on biodiversity. As a result, solutions are
expected to be multifunctional and thus provide multiple solutions within the same land area.
The increase of the recreation in natural areas puts pressure on the wetlands where people
and nature try to coexist. In this thesis, a greater focus has been placed on birds, since they
are a good biodiversity indicator, and it has been repeatedly shown that human presence
has an effect on the birdlife in a wetland - and thus biodiversity as a whole. Here, the aim
is to find the vulnerable parts of the combination of recreation and birdlife and to present
solutions on how to mitigate possible negative consequences and aim for multifunctionality.
The effect of eight different parameters on breeding bird species was statistically analyzed,
in order to disentangle their separate and combined impact. It was found that both
ecological and urban aspects have an effect on the birdlife and generally birds seem to
benefit from the absence of people in wetlands. However, as an example of good practice,
it is also discussed that people’s presence can provide a vital, moderate maintenance of the
areas through livestock grazing and scaring off predators, which increases bird diversity. In
addition, people can be invited to the wetlands by means of small, yet effective urban cues
that do not significantly disturb bird life and thus people get more out of their recreation. A
good wetland thus allows people to experience the birdlife, and at the same time let birds
and the general biodiversity thrive
Att följa träd genom gestaltning
Get PDFDetta examensarbete undersöker hur gestaltning inom landskapsarkitektur kan bidra till att bevara
och skydda trädsamhällen. Undersökningen görs genom ett gestaltningsförslag av trädflyttar i samband
med byggnationen av Västlänken. Västlänken är ett infrastrukturprojekt och en utbyggnation av
kollektivtrafiken i Göteborg. Till följd av byggnationen har 500 träd fällts och 300 träd flyttats. I detta
arbete kartläggs träden som flyttats genom en alternativ kartläggningsmetod kallad counter-mapping.
Det är en metod som ämnar skifta perspektiv och lyfta fram värden som vanligen förbises i mer
konventionella kartläggningsmetoder.
Parallellt med undersökningen av träden som flyttats i Västlänken har en litteraturstudie gjorts. Den
behandlar olika gestaltningsteorier, naturvetenskapliga perspektiv och posthumanistiska idéströmningar.
I litteraturstudien beskrivs problematiken att trädsamhällen inte bevaras och skyddas bero
på människans koloniala relation till naturen, där naturen ses som resurs att extrahera från. Här lyfts
mellan-art-symbioser som vägar fram. Litteraturstudien tillsammans med kartläggningsarbetet har
sedan legat till grund för gestaltningsförslaget
Förslaget utgörs av fem platsspecifika gestaltningar baserade på fem följda trädflyttar och vilka alla
undersöker olika gestaltningsgrepp. Detta följs av en diskussion baserat på examensarbetets frågeställningar.
De behandlar hur trädflyttarna bidrar till att bevara trädsamhällen, vilken kapacitet counter-
mapping och gestaltning av trädplatser har att synliggöra mellan-art-symbioser och avkolonialisera
träd, samt arbetets övergripande frågeställning: hur gestaltning inom landskapsarkitektur kan bidra
till att bevara och skydda trädsamhällen.
Diskussionen kommer fram till att flytta träd i vissa fall kan bidra till att bevara träd. Det gäller yngre
och mindre träd som hotas av fällning i staden. Större och äldre träd bör däremot prioriteras att
få stå kvar. Counter-mapping kan genom att lyfta dolda värden och främja perspektivskiften bidra
till att synliggöra mellan-art-smbioser och avkolonialisera träd. Gestaltning av trädplatser kan bidra
genom att skapa möten, iscensätta aktiviteter, främja sinnliga upplevelser samt stärka relationerna till
träd. Övergripande kan gestaltning inom landskapsarkitektur bidra till att bevara och skydda trädsamhällen
genom att skapa berättelser om träd som engagerar, initiera aktiviteter som stärker relationen
till träd, samla olika perspektiv i en gemensam kontext samt agera forum för diskussion.
I vidare studier kan fler aktörer bjudas in att delta i gestaltningsarbetet. Dels till att bygga gestaltningarna
på plats och undersöka hur de fungerar i praktiken, dels till att medverka i tidigare stadie av
gestaltningsprocessen för att kunna bidra med nya perspektiv.This master thesis examines how design in landscape architecture can contribute to preserving and
protecting tree communities. The investigation is done through a design proposal based on trees that
have been moved due to the Västlänken project. Västlänken is an infrastructure project and an expansion
of public transport in Gothenburg. As a result of the construction, 500 trees have been felled
and 300 trees moved. In this work, the trees that have been moved are mapped through an alternative
mapping method called counter-mapping. It is a method that aims to shift perspectives and
highlight values that are usually overlooked in more conventional mapping methods.
In parallel with the investigation of the trees that have been moved, a literature study has been made.
It processes different design theories, natural science perspectives and theories within posthumanism.
The literature study describes the problem when tree communities are not preserved and protected
due to man’s colonial relationship with nature, where nature is seen as a resource to be exploited. Inter-
species symbioses are highlighted as ways forward. The literature study together with the counter
map has since formed the basis for the design proposal.
The proposal consists of five site-specific design projects based on five of the trees that have been
moved, all of which are designed by different approaches. This is followed by a discussion based on
the thesis questions. They deal with how moving trees contribute to preserving tree communities,
what capacity counter-mapping and design have to make inter-species symbioses visible and decolonize
trees, as well as the main question of the work: How design in landscape architecture can
contribute to preserving and protecting tree communities.
The discussion comes to the conclusion that moving trees in some cases can contribute to the preservation
of trees. This applies to younger and smaller trees that are threatened to be cut down. Larger
and older trees, on the other hand, should be given priority to remain. By highlighting hidden
values and promoting other perspectives, counter-mapping can contribute to making inter-species
symbioses visible and decolonizing trees. Designing sites for trees can contribute by creating meetings,
staging activities, promoting sensorial experiences and strengthening relationships with trees.
Overall, design in landscape architecture can contribute to preserving and protecting tree communities
by creating stories that have the capacity to engage, initiating activities that strengthen the
relationship with trees, gathering different perspectives in a common context and acting as a forum
for discussion.
In further studies, more actors can be invited to participate in the design work. Partly to build the
designs on site and evaluate their capacity, partly to participate in an earlier stage of the design process
to be able to contribute with new perspectives
Interna marknadsföringens roll för den externa varumärkespositioneringen
Get PDFI denna uppsats undersöks hur intern marknadsföring påverkar Elgiganten AB:s externa marknadsföring. Med fokus på företagets interna marknadsföringsinsatser, såsom kampanjer och evenemang, samt företagskultur och intern samhörighet, analyseras hur dessa faktorer bidrar till medarbetarnas stolthet över företagets varumärke och konsistens i extern varumärkespositionering. Genom att kombinera författarens egna erfarenheter från företaget med en kvantitativ metod, samt en kombination av en induktiva och deduktiva forskningsansatser, erbjuder denna studie en unik inblick i strategierna som Elgiganten AB använder för att främja en positiv arbetsmiljö och stärka företagets externa varumärkesimage.
Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur interna marknadsföringsinsatser och företagskultur påverkar medarbetarnas stolthet över företagets varumärke samt den externa varumärkespositionen. För att uppnå detta syfte har följande frågeställningar utforskats:
1. Hur kan interna marknadsföringsinsatser, såsom interna kampanjer och evenemang, stimulera medarbetarnas stolthet över företagets varumärke och därigenom påverka den externa varumärkespositionen?
2. På vilket sätt bidrar en stark företagskultur och intern sammanhållning till medarbetarnas förmåga att leverera en enhetlig och konsistent extern varumärkesupplevelse?
Genom att analysera dessa frågeställningar belyser denna studie viktiga samband mellan intern och extern marknadsföring, samt bidrar till förståelsen för hur företag kan förbättra sin marknadsföringsstrategi genom att investera i sin interna organisation och företagskultur.
En kvantitativ metod användes, huvudsakligen genom en enkätundersökning riktad till medarbetare på Elgiganten. Detta kompletterades med författarens egna observationer och erfarenheter inom företaget. Data insamlades om både interna marknadsföringsinsatser och extern varumärkespositionering.
Resultaten visar att interna marknadsföringsinsatser har en signifikant inverkan på medarbetarnas stolthet och deras förmåga att leverera en enhetlig varumärkesupplevelse externt. En stark företagskultur och god intern kommunikation framstår som avgörande för att uppnå detta.
Studien konstaterar att investeringar i intern marknadsföring och företagskultur inte bara stärker den interna sammanhållningen utan också förbättrar företagets externa varumärkesposition. Företag rekommenderas att kontinuerligt utveckla sina interna marknadsföringsstrategier för att maximera positiva effekter på varumärkesupplevelsen både internt och externt.This thesis examines how internal marketing influences Elgiganten AB's external marketing. Focusing on the company's internal marketing efforts, such as campaigns and events, as well as corporate culture and internal cohesion, it analyzes how these factors contribute to employees' pride in the company's brand and consistency in external brand positioning. By combining the author's own experiences within the company with a quantitative method and an inductive research approach, this study offers unique insights into the strategies Elgiganten AB employs to promote a positive work environment and strengthen the company's external brand image.
The purpose of this study is to investigate how internal marketing efforts and corporate culture impact employees' pride in the company's brand and the external brand positioning. To achieve this purpose, the following research questions have been explored:
1. How can internal marketing efforts, such as internal campaigns and events, stimulate employees' pride in the company's brand and thereby influence the external brand positioning?
2. How does a strong corporate culture and internal cohesion contribute to employees' ability to deliver a consistent and unified external brand experience?
By analyzing these research questions, this study highlights important connections between internal and external marketing, and contributes to understanding how companies can improve their marketing strategy by investing in their internal organization and corporate culture.
A quantitative method was used, primarily through a survey directed at employees of Elgiganten. This was supplemented by the author's own observations and experiences within the company. Data were collected on both internal marketing efforts and external brand positioning.
The results show that internal marketing efforts have a significant impact on employees' pride and their ability to deliver a unified brand experience externally. A strong corporate culture and effective internal communication are essential to achieving this.
The study concludes that investments in internal marketing and corporate culture not only strengthen internal cohesion but also improve the company's external brand positioning. Companies are recommended to continuously develop their internal marketing strategies to maximize positive effects on brand experience both internally and externally
Nyhamnen marinpark
Get PDFArbetets syfte är att utforska vilka marina åtgärder som kan införas för att vitalisera hamnområden inom ramen för stadsomvandlingsprojekt, och hur dessa kan stärka marina ekosystem samtidigt som de skapar upplevelsevärden för människor. I arbetet utforskas möjligheten att anlägga en ‘marin park’, som förenar de värden som ett grönområde och ett vattenområde kan generera. Underlagsmaterial har samlats in genom platsbesök och samtal med sakkunniga inom fältet, och resulterade i en sammanställning av relevant forskning, praktiska exempel och lärdomar från genomförda projekt som rör marina åtgärder och marina parker. Slutligen föreslås gestaltningsprinciper för en marin park i Nyhamnen, Malmö. Parkens syfte är att skapa bättre förutsättningar för marint liv i hamnbassängen och bidra med rekreativa och pedagogiska värden för människor som rör sig i den ombyggda hamnmiljön.The aim of this paper is to explore which revitalising measures can be implemented in harbour areas during urban transformation projects, and how these can strengthen marine ecosystems while creating recreational values for people. The paper discusses the concept of a ‘marine park’, which combines the benefits that a green area and a seaside can provide. Data was gathered through site visits and through consultations with experts in the field, and resulted in a compilation of relevant research, practical examples and knowledge gained from projects that have been carried out. Finally, a design for a marine park in Nyhamnen, Malmö is presented, the purpose of which is to create better conditions for marine life in the harbour basin and to contribute to recreational and pedagogical values for inhabitants and visitors of the transformed harbour area
Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from an oilseed radish (Raphanus Sativus L.) cover crop fros
Get PDFAddressing the urgent need to adapt and mitigate climate change, a significant focus has been placed on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. The cultivation of cover crops is an important agricultural practice, offering a multitude of benefits. These crops are meticulously selected based on the farmer’s goals, the main crops cultivated, soil conditions, and the local microclimate. In the Scandinavian context, oilseed radish (Raphanus Sativus L.), is a popular option, due to it fast growth, deep taproot and termination by frost. While environmental advantages have been well-documented, concurrent greenhouse gas measurements of oilseed radish and its residues have revealed a potential increase in emissions. Given the growing consensus on mitigating anthropogenic N2O emissions, further investigation into oilseed radish as a cover crop is warranted. Such research is imperative to weigh its benefits against its drawbacks and to derive strategies for effective mitigation measures. This thesis aim was to find out the relationships between N2O emission and different ages of frost-killed oilseed radish with a focus on the C:N ratios of the plant material. To address this objective, the hypothesis that the crop age of oilseed radish has an inverse relationship with N2O emissions was tested. Oilseed radish was cultivated in the greenhouse for the purposes of the incubation experiment. The cultivation period lasted 35 days. The three different ages of oilseed radish mentioned, refer to plant material harvested on three specific dates. Age 1 corresponds to plants grown for 21 days and harvested on the 21st day of the cultivation period. Age 2 represents plants grown for 28 days and harvested on the 28th day, while Age 3 indicates plants grown for 35 days and harvested on the 35th day. Subsamples of oilseed radish from each harvest were prepared and analysed for dry matter (DM) content, Total C and Total N. Additionaly, subsamples (6.7g) from each harvest, were randomly selected, packed in zip-lock plastic bags and put in the freezer for the incubation experiment. The soil used for both cultivation and incubation was obtained from soil sampling, air-dried, sieved, and crushed. Subsamples of the soil were taken for further analyses, including total C, total N, and pH measurement. The remaining soil was stored in a cold storage room for the incubation experiment. For soil packing in the incubation cylinders, soil water content was determined gravimetrically, and water was added to achieve 60% WFPS. The experimental setup involved four treatments: cylinders with only soil (control) and soil with oilseed radish frost-killed at three different ages (Age 1, Age 2, Age 3, and Csoil). Each treatment was replicated four times in a completely randomized design. Incubation occurred for 7 days in a dark cabinet at room temperature, followed by sampling and subsequent analyses to quantify N2O, CO2, and CH4 fluxes. Results showed that N2O emissions in the 3 different ages significantly differ from the control treatment. N2O fluxes per dry weight, showed that N2O emissions from oilseed radish frost-killed are notably higher in Age 1 and that can be related with the lowest C:N ratio (6) from the three treatments in the experiment and significantly high emissions. Interestingly, Age 2 didn’t appear to have higher emissions as expected. About carbon dioxide CO₂, emissions were higher in all of the treatments in comparison with the control. CO2 also used as an indicator of the activity of heterotrophs. CH₄ emissions showed no significant differences between treatments. It shows that frost-killed oilseed radish can enhance N2O emissions and other factors except from the C:N ratio should be explored for a better understanding of N2O in different ages of oilseed radish. This study indicates the intricate relationship between the age of frost-killed oilseed radish, its biochemical composition, and the surrounding environmental conditions. The unpredictability of these interactions necessitates further research to accurately determine greenhouse gas emissions from oilseed radish at various ages
Shaping up the urban foodscape through local food and traditional knowledge : a case study of “Hela Bojun” food outlets in Kandy District, Sri Lanka
Get PDFThis thesis explores the role of traditional knowledge and locally grown food incorporation into the urban food systems in promoting sustainability, with a particular focus on “Hela Bojun” outlets in Sri Lanka. These outlets, which primarily employ women entrepreneurs, aim to provide nutritious, locally sourced food while preserving traditional knowledge and practices. The study investigates how “Hela Bojun” outlets contribute to sustainable food strategies by addressing environmental, social, and economic aspects of sustainability.
The research was conducted in the Kandy district, with additional observations in Trincomalee and Anuradhapura.
A mixed-methods approach was employed, including site visits, semi-structured interviews with entrepreneur women, key informant at the Department of Agriculture in Sri Lanka and consumers, and a consumer perception survey. The objectives of the study were to map out the “Hela Bojun” outlets in urban context, understand the traditional knowledge and locally grown food incorporation in food preparation and operational processes. And also assess their alignment with sustainability principles towards a better city with the scope of food and landscape perspectives.
Findings reveal that “Hela Bojun” outlets promote sustainability by utilizing locally grown agricultural produce, reducing food waste, and supporting economic empowerment for women. However, challenges remain in ensuring consistent diversity in food offerings and expanding the reach of these outlets to urban populations. The analysis highlights the potential for replicating similar models all parts of the country as well as other similar regions as part of broader sustainable food strategies.
This study contributes to the discourse on sustainable food systems by showcasing the significance of local food outlets in promoting environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic resilience. The findings offer insights into how traditional knowledge and local produce can be integrated into modern food strategies and policies to achieve long-term sustainability goals
Ground lichen occurrence in Gällivare forest Sámi community
Get PDFPå uppdrag av Sveaskog har en studie genomförts i syfte att genom fältinventering mäta och jämföra marklavsandel på avdelningar som var klassade med generell hänsyn och förstärkt hänsyn för rennäringen. Arbetet utfördes på Sveaskogs marker inom Gällivare skogssamebys renbetesmarker i Norrbottens län. Markerna fanns inom Boden, Gällivare, Luleå och Överkalix kommuner. Fältinventeringen utfördes på 30 avdelningar som var slutavverkade av Sveaskog mellan åren 2012 – 2020. På dessa avdelningar mättes andelen renlav upp på fyra provytor per avdelning. Syftet var att ta reda på om det skiljde sig i marklavsandel mellan avdelningar som hade en förstärkt hänsyn för rennäringen jämfört med avdelningar som saknade en förstärkt hänsyn och endast hade en generell hänsyn.
En metod som har visat sig lovande för framtiden vad gäller återetablering av marklav på kortast möjliga tid efter markberedning har visat sig vara HuMinMix-metoden.
Resultaten kunde i denna studie inte visa någon signifikant skillnad i marklavsandel beroende på om det var på en avdelning med förstärkt hänsyn för rennäringen eller om det var på en avdelning med generell hänsyn.On behalf of Sveaskog, a study has been carried out with the aim of measuring and comparing the proportion of ground lichen in sections classified with general consideration and enhanced consideration for reindeer husbandry through a field inventory. The work was carried out on Sveaskog's land within the reindeer grazing lands of the Gällivare Forest Sami in Norrbotten County. The land was located in the municipalities of Boden, Gällivare, Luleå and Överkalix. The field inventory was carried out on 30 sections that were logged by Sveaskog between 2012 and 2020. In these sections, the proportion of reindeer lichen was measured on four sample areas per section. The aim was to find out whether there was a difference in the proportion of ground lichen between sections that had increased consideration for reindeer husbandry compared with sections that did not have increased consideration and only had general consideration.
One method that has shown promise for the future in terms of re-establishing ground lichen in the shortest possible time after scarification is the HuMinMix method.
The results of this study could not show any significant difference in the proportion of ground lichen depending on whether it was in a section with enhanced consideratio
Inter-trial variation in movement symmetry in dogs over time
Get PDFDet här examensarbetet är en pilotstudie som undersöker variationer i rörelsesymmetri över tid hos hund. Vid tidigare studier där objektiva mätmetoder används noteras naturligt förekommande rörelseasymmetrier hos hundar som klassificeras som ohalta. Det är viktigt att veta hur mycket dessa asymmetrier varierar över tid om det i framtida studier ska gå att följa hundens rörelsemönster över tid och studera andra faktorers inverkan. För häst finns studier där rörelsesymmetrin utvärderas objektivt över tid hos hästar som anses ohalta, liknande studier saknas dock för hund. Studien syftar därför till att registrera huruvida det finns en naturligt förekommande variation i rörelsesymmetri hos hundar över tid, samt beskriva denna, genom användandet av det sensorbaserade mätsystemet Lameness Locator på hundar som tränats till att trava avslappnat på löpband.
I studien ingick totalt 8 privatägda hundar av varierande åldrar, med en vikt på minst 12kg. Inför mätningarna vandes varje hund vid att trava på löpbandet enligt ett specifikt protokoll. Hundarna följdes därefter under en period som varade i upp till 9 veckor. Varje vecka genomfördes en mätning med ett intervall på 7 +/- 2 dagar. Mellan två av de veckovisa mätningarna genomfördes även upprepade mätningar inom en dag, då hunden mättes tre gånger under samma dag med ett intervall på 2,5 – 4 timmar mellan varje mätning. Vid mätningarna registrerades huvudets och bäckenets vertikala rörelser och fyra symmetrivariabler beräknades som medelvärden över alla steg för en mätning: HDmin och PDmin (skillnaden mellan de två lägsta värdena för huvudets respektive bäckenets position under en stegcykel) samt HDmax och PDmax (skillnaden mellan de två högsta värdena för huvudets respektive bäckenets position under en stegcykel). Data grupperades i tre olika dataset och variationen i rörelsesymmetri inom dag, inom vecka och mellan veckor utvärderades.
Av resultaten gick det att utläsa att varje individ uppvisade en variation i rörelsesymmetri över tid, såväl inom dag, inom vecka som mellan veckor. Dock sågs ingen signifikant effekt av varken hund, vecka, mätning inom vecka eller mätning inom dag på variationens storlek.
Variationen i rörelsesymmetri var störst mellan veckor och numeriskt mindre både inom dag och inom vecka. Det vore det av värde att studera en större population för att kunna fastställa intervall inom vilka en normalvariation kan förväntas vid de olika tidsintervallen inom dag, inom vecka samt mellan veckor.This master thesis is a pilot study where variations in movement symmetry over time in dogs is studied. In previous studies where objective measuring methods are used, some degree of movement asymmetry is reported also in dogs classified as non-lame. Understanding the expected normal variation in movement symmetry is essential for future studies seeking to investigate the impact of various factors on the movement symmetry in dogs over time. There is existing knowledge regarding the over time variation in movement symmetry in non-lame horses. However, such a study has yet to be performed on dogs. The aim of this study is therefore to register if naturally occurring variations in movement symmetry are seen in dogs over time, and to quantify said variation using the sensor-based measuring method Lameness Locator on dogs that have been habituated to trot on a treadmill.
A total of 8 privately owned dogs participated in the study. They were of varying ages and all the dogs had a weight exceeding 12kg. Before the trials commenced the dogs were habituated to trotting on the treadmill according to a specific protocol. Measurements were then conducted on a weekly basis at an interval of 7 +/- 2 days. Interspaced between two weekly measurements, the dogs were on one occasion measured three times during one day at an interval of 2,5-4 hours between each measurement. During the measurements the vertical displacement of the head and pelvis was registered, and four symmetry variables were calculated as a mean across all strides of a measurement: the difference between the two minimum values for the head and pelvis during each stride (HDmin and PDmin) and the difference between the two maximum values for the head and pelvis during each stride (HDmax and PDmax). The acquired data was divided into three different datasets and the variation in movement symmetry was analyzed within day, within week and between weeks.
Regarding the results, each individual dog presented a variation in movement symmetry over time. This variation in movement symmetry was present within day, within week as well as between weeks. However, no significant effect was observed between dog, week, measurement within day or measurement within week on the size of the variation.
The variation in movement symmetry was largest between weeks and numerically smaller both within day and within week. It would be of worth to study a bigger population in order to determine an interval in which a normal variation can be expected during the different time periods within day, within week and between weeks
A survey among dog owners and a behavioral observation study
Get PDFSeizure conditions have been suggested to be the most common chronic neurological condition in dogs, with an estimated prevalence from 0.5% to 5.7%. One such condition is epilepsy. While epilepsy is not a diagnosis itself, it is a group of disorders that cause a predisposition for epileptic seizures. Idiopathic epilepsy (IE) is characterized by no indication of intracranial pathologies (including vascular, inflammatory/infectious, traumatic, anomalous/developmental, neoplastic and degenerative diseases) and a proven or suspected genetic background (A confirmed diagnosis of IE in genetically related individuals). There is a fair amount of terminology surrounding epileptic seizures, with ictus describing the seizure itself. The postictal phase refers to the period after ictus when the normal brain function is being restored.
There are reports of numerous symptoms and behaviors that are associated with the postictal phase in dogs with epilepsy, such as; hunger, fatigue, restlessness and ataxia, and the clinical manifestation varies largely between individuals. The International veterinary epilepsy task force (IVETF) current recommendation is to initiate medical treatment for patients with IE when the postictal symptoms are considered severe (for example aggression) or lasting over 24 hours. However, there is a paucity in the literature describing the postictal phase. To the authors knowledge there are no studies at the present time (2023) that describe postictal behavioral changes in detail and the existing reports regarding canine IE are only briefly mentioning the postictal period. Previous studies are based solely on dog owners’ reports and no observational behavior studies with a standardized ethogram have yet been conducted.
The objective of this study was to further investigate what symptoms and behaviors are exhibited by dogs with IE during the postictal phase, using both the owners’ descriptions of the postictal phase and observational study through video analysis. Additionally, this study investigated if some of the symptoms and behaviors can be missed by the pet owners. The purpose of this is to increase knowledge about the postictal phase that can be used by clinically practicing veterinarians to better evaluate an individual patient´s need for starting medical treatment and to give practicing veterinarians further support for gathering a complete anamnesis.
The hypothesis was that the dog being “tired” would be the most frequently described postictal change based on dog owners’ answers from the questionnaire, and that “resting” or “resting with eyes closed” would be the most registered behaviors from the video analysis.
A questionnaire was distributed to owners to epileptic dogs through social media, gathering information about their dog’s epilepsy including questions about how the diagnosis was made, what medication their dog is being treated with, how the epileptic seizures are manifesting and what postictal changes they see in their dog. Dogs that did not meet the Tier I confidence level of diagnostic criteria for IE were excluded from the study. Owners whose dogs had a duration of the postictal phase no longer than 60 minutes were invited to further participate in this study and to film their dog’s postictal phase. Dogs whose postictal period lasted for longer than 60 minutes were not invited to participate as the long period of filming in those cases was assessed to lower the dog owners’ compliance. An ethogram was constructed based on previous reports and the owner’s own description of the postictal phase and an observational behavioral study using continuous sampling
Abstract
was used to analyze the video material provided by the owners. Only one video was obtained and after the video analysis was conducted, the owner received a follow-up questionnaire asking them to choose the behaviors they see in their dog from a list based on the ethogram.
The most described behavior based on the owners’ answers was “restlessness”, thus rejecting the hypothesis that “tired” was the most described postictal change. Numerous behaviors were described by the owners that have not been previously reported, indicating a large variety of clinical manifestations of the postictal phase. No statistically significant behavioral difference was found when comparing male and female dogs in the postictal phase.
Only one video of the postictal phase was obtained. “Proximity to owner” was found to be the behavior with the longest duration based on the video analysis, closely followed by “resting” and “ears back”. When comparing the owner’s answers on the follow-up questionnaire with the registered behaviors, the more subtle behavioral cues (“ears back”, “wide eyes”, “lip licking” and “sham chewing”) were not recognized by the owner. In contrast, the more distinct behaviors (“proximity to owner”, “resting” and “trembling”) were correctly recognized and acknowledged by the owner. Further studies are required to investigate what behaviors dogs exhibit during the postictal phase and if some of these behaviors are harder to recognize by the owner