Multiple threat responses in zooplankton - from communities to individuals

Most organisms on Earth live a life where they are exposed to multiple and variable threats. In order to maximise survival they need to be able to perceive and respond to these threats. Two common threats that crustacean zooplankton are faced with are predation and ultraviolet radiation (UVR). To cope with these threats zooplankton use different strategies such as diel vertical migration and the accumulation of photoprotective compounds. In this thesis I study the threat responses of zooplankton when exposed to predation and UVR. I explore both inter- and intraspecific differences in the response to these threat situations. In addition to field data I also developed a new technique for tracking zooplankton using fluorescent nanoparticles, which I use to track the individual responses of zooplankton. I investigate if accumulation of photoprotective pigmentation may affect the spatial distribution of species in nature and how individual size may affect the migratory behaviour of zooplankton. In addition I also explore how previous exposure to threats affect the behavioural responses and if some of the observed behavioural variance could be explained by consistent individual differences in behaviour. In summary, I show that even closely related species may show large differences in their response to UVR. Intraspecific differences in pigmentation could not be related to the spatial distribution of either Daphnia or calanoid copepods; however, both Daphnia and copepods were found to perform size structured migration. I also demonstrate that previous experiences of a threat can affect how the organism responds. Some evidence for consistent individual differences in the behavioural response of Daphnia to UVR is presented, suggesting that individual based studies could add further to our knowledge about behavioural responses in zooplankton. Given the variability both with respect to inter- and intraspecific differences in UVR response we need to keep these differences in mind when postulating new, more comprehensive theories explaining the behaviour of zooplankton exposed to everyday threats

How does community gardens sow the seed for solidarity? : an investigation regarding community gardens social capital in Sweden

Följande arbete undersöker hur socialt kapital kan skapas i community gardens. Det finns ett behov av en bredare förståelse hos stadsplanerare kring vikten av community gardens, detta för att kunna skapa mer gemenskap i samhället. Idag utgör ensamhet och isolering ett globalt problem som visat negativ inverkan på människors hälsa. Odling i community gardens har visat sig vara en gynnsam gruppaktivitet för att känna delaktighet till andra (Firth et al 2011). Metoden för arbetet utgörs av semistrukturerade kvalitativa intervjuer med medlemmar på styrelsepositioner. Utformningen av arbetet bygger på tidigare studier genomförda av Firth et al (2011) samt Kingsley & Townsend (2006). Valet av teori för undersökningen bygger på inspiration från tidigare forskning kring socialt kapital i ämnesområdet stadsodling. Socialt kapital identifierar och klassificerar kontaktnät mellan individer och grupper i samhället. Dessa kontaktnät kan bidra till mervärden som gynnar personer utanför odlingssammanhanget. Arbetet visar att administrativas yrkesroller och utbildning är viktigt för skapandet av socialt kapital. Övriga faktorer som stärker det sociala kapitalet är goda relationer till kommun och myndighetspersoner. Skapandet av en tredje plats där interaktioner kan ske ohämmat mellan deltagarna är en viktig omständighet. Ytterligare en öppning för att skapa inkludering och nya bekantskaper är att interagera och arbeta i mindre arbetsgrupper.The following investigation, studies the occurrence of social capital in community gardens and how it can be achieved. It is of great importance for city planners to understand the phenomenon community gardens and their relevance for generating the feeling of solidarity in cities. Loneliness and isolation are a global issue in today’s society that affects people’s general health. Community gardening has shown promising results as a collective activity regarding the feeling of participation and inclusiveness for individuals (Firth et al 2011). The method for the study was centred around qualitative semi structured interviews with board members in the community gardens. The structure of the study has been influenced by earlier research by Firth et al. (2011) and Kingsley & Townsend (2006). The theory for the investigation is selected due to inspiration from earlier research in the scientific field of social capital and urban agriculture. Social capital identifies and classifies networks between people and groups in society. These links can result in profits such as members gaining experience that could be applied further, outside of the garden community. The findings have shown tendencies of producing social capital through the administration’s occupation and degrees. The second finding suggests that a good relationship with municipalities can influence the outcome of social capital. The creation of a third place where interactions between members and neighbours could occur was also a crucial circumstance. Lastly the importance of working in small varying groups was identified because it allowed people to get new acquaintances from different socioeconomic backgrounds

Cost-effectiveness of measures to improve biodiversity in Swedish forests

The main objective of this thesis is to analyse the cost-effectiveness of measures, which improve biodiversity among life forms dependent on coarse woody debris (CWD). The amount of CWD in forest land has decreased due to modern forest management. The wood of the trees is an important source of income for the forest owner and there is an undeniable conflict between increasing the amount of CWD and the economics of silviculture. To gain acceptance among forest owners of an increased retention of trees as potential CWD substrate, it is important that CWD-increasing measures are performed in a cost-effective manner, which means that the cost to attain a specific level of CWD is as low as possible. Calculations were performed of CWD formed and opportunity costs of forest stands from three regions in Sweden. Norway spruce was the prime study object but analysis of mixed stands of Norway spruce, Scots pine and birch or aspen were carried out as well. The cost-efficiency of seven conservation measures, which aim to increase CWD in managed forests, was analysed. In all regions the same pattern was obtained regarding ranking order of five measures; retention of snags was the most cost-effective measure, followed by creating high stumps, manual scarification and retention of living trees, and finally prolongation of rotation as the least cost-effective measure. Setting aside a stand as a reserve, and retention of wind-thrown trees showed an increasing cost with increasing land productivity. Estimating the cost-efficiency factor for different CWD-increasing measures in mixed stands revealed that birch and aspen were more cost-effective than Norway spruce and Scots pine. In a multiple stand context the least-cost allocation of conservation measures depends on the desired increase in CWD. Analysing the choice of cost-effective CWD-increasing measures on a Norway spruce dominated estate in central Sweden showed that huge improvements in the cost-effectiveness of biodiversity-oriented forestry are possible

Attributional and Consequential Life Cycle Assessment

An attributional life cycle assessment (ALCA) estimates what share of the global environmental burdens belongs to a product. A consequential LCA (CLCA) gives an estimate of how the global environmental burdens are affected by the production and use of the product. The distinction arose to resolve debates on what input data to use in an LCA and how to deal with allocation problems. An ALCA is based on average data, and allocation is performed by partitioning environmental burdens of a process between the life cycles served by this process. A CLCA ideally uses marginal data in many parts of the life cycle and avoids allocation through system expansion. This chapter aims to discuss and clarify the key concepts. It also discusses pros and cons of different methodological options, based on criteria derived from the starting point that environmental systems analysis should contribute to reducing the negative environmental impacts of humankind or at least reduce the impacts per functional unit: the method should be feasible and generate results that are accurate, comprehensible, inspiring, and robust. The CLCA is more accurate, but ALCA has other advantages. The decision to make an ALCA or a CLCA should ideally be taken by the LCA practitioner after discussions with the client and possibly with other stakeholders and colleagues

Exploring epigenetic resistance to infectious salmon anaemia in Atlantic salmon by genome-wide bisulfite sequencing in heart tissue

The viral disease infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) is an ever-present threat to salmon farmers globally. Since its appearance it has been responsible for crises in the industry and has changed the way in which salmon are farmed. Disease resistance is an important phenotype that contributes to sustainable aquaculture production. The increasing understanding of epigenetics suggest a role for DNA methylation in the plasticity of an immune response and thereby an involvement in resistance to disease. Differences in methylation profiles between fish that are resistant or susceptible to the virus could reveal DNA methylation’s role in ISA resistance. Immune responses in Viral target tissues, particularly tissues affected early in disease progression, have the potential to slow and hinder disease before systemic effects take hold. In ISA this is well represented by heart tissue. To this aim, the most thorough method for whole-genome DNA methylation profiling was used to revealing 163 differentially methylated genes between survivors and early mortalities in an ISA cohabitation challenge test. Amongst these genes are genes involved in viral replication, antiviral innate immune response, and viral immune evasion that suggests a role played by epigenetics in resistance to ISA.submittedVersionEM-AB

Assessment and treatment of dizzy patients in primary health care.

Dizziness is a common reason for visits to primary health care, especially among elderly patients. From a physiotherapeutic perspective, this thesis aims to study the assessment and treatment of dizzy patients in primary health care. Interventions in papers I, III and IV comprised a vestibular rehabilitation programme. In paper I, patients with multisensory dizziness were randomized to intervention group or control group. At follow-up after six weeks and three months, the intervention group had improved their postural control while the control group had deteriorated. In paper II, the diagnostic panorama at a primary health care centre was studied, as well as balance measures and self-perceived handicap because of dizziness. Patients with multisensory dizziness performed more poorly on the balance measures than the other groups. Subjects 66 years or older had more disturbances in balance, but lower level of self-perceived handicap. The level of self-perceived handicap did not correlate with any of the balance measures. In paper III, patients with dizziness caused by whiplash associated disorder were randomized to intervention group or control group. At follow-up after six weeks and three months, the intervention group had improved in both balance measures and self-perceived handicap. In paper IV, patients with multisensory dizziness were studied. An intervention group was compared to a control group regarding balance measures, self-perceived handicap and the proportions of patients who fell. At the follow-up after three months, the intervention group had improved in two balance measures. There were no differences between the two groups in the proportions of patients who fell. This thesis indicates vestibular rehabilitation as a feasible treatment for dizzy patients in primary health care. Since primary health care is considered the appropriate level of medical care for the majority of dizzy patients, this is also where vestibular rehabilitation is best provided, preferably by a trained physiotherapist