A semiotic polyocular framework for multidisciplinary research in relation to multifunctional farming and rural development

The concept of multifunctional farming rises out of a problematization of the role of agriculture in society and, in particular, in relation to rural development. Hitherto multifunctional farming has primarily been used as a notion on the relationship between agriculture and society concerning the range of commodity and non-commodity goods that farms provide for society. But the agro-economic achievements together with societal development have led to a point where praxis is questioned and discourse potentially reopened. In an indirect way, the notion of multifunctionality reflects, that aspects not captured by the distinction between commodity and non-commodity need to be reintroduced. This paper offers a new framework (theoretical and methodical) suggesting a poly-ocular multidisciplinary approach and constructivist semiotic understanding of multifunctionality, which supports dialogue and interactions between the approaches, involved. Each research perspective has its own construction of the object of ‘farming’ and the ‘environment’ of farming; and thereby also its own perception of the functions and problems of farming. It therefore comes as no surprise that problems of communication are experienced between different perspectives, or that confusion on shared notions can cause frustrations and difficulties for multidisciplinary studies of multifunctionality. The present framework introduces a notion of multifunctionality, which enables the explicit handling of different perspectives by way of a distinction between the ‘immediate object’, as it appears to the observer, and the ‘dynamical object’, which represents the potentiality of the object in itself. From such semiotic point of view, the notion of multifunctionality becomes genuinely multidisciplinary. Multifunctionality cannot be reduced and included in one perspective, but has to be observed as a second order observation that involves reflexive communication between different perspectives and disciplines

A polyocular framework for research on multifunctional farming and rural development

The paradox of multifunctionality is that, on the one hand, the specialized functionalities of agriculture only arise because of the functional differentiation of social systems and scientific disciplines and, on the other hand, multifunctionality can only enter as a way to mediate between conflicts, interests and fragmented knowledge when different functions and observations of functions combine. The aim of this paper is to contribute to a theoretical and methodological platform for multidisciplinary research on multifunctional farming. With the notions of polyocular cognition and polyocular communication we introduce a second order, interdisciplinary communication process that can meet the challenge of creating a shared view on multifunctional farming. Polyocular communication must be based on other rules than the rules of the involved disciplines. Whereas disciplinary communication is about providing consistent, efficient and precise knowledge in the context of a sharply delimited research world, polyocular communication is about extending a multidimensional space of understanding

How will thawing permafrost affect the microbial abundance and diversity in the Arctic?

Permafrost, permanently frozen soil, constitutes a major portion of the Earth’s terrestrial cryosphere and represents a unique niche for cold-adapted microorganisms. As the global temperature increases, it is still unknown what consequences this will have for the inhabiting microbial structure and diversity. We assessed the microbial diversity within permafrost in Adventdalen, Svalbard across two different years (2016 and 2019). Our results revealed that the living conditions of the indigenous microorganisms had changed, due to an increase in moisture and organic matter. Furthermore, we observed that the bacterial and fungal gene abundance had also increased. The majority of the microorganisms discovered within our samples are recognised as degraders of complex carbon compounds, indicating that a potential increase of carbon dioxide emissions is likely to be a consequence of the further increase in global temperatures. Due to differing study design across years, exact replicates were not possible, and most of the measured data would not be statistically reliable if compared directly to each other. However, one depth from each of the cores could be directly compared, and here we observed an overall increase in moisture content, organic matter, and in microbial abundance. We thus infer that there is a possibility of increased greenhouse gas release when the microbial living conditions have shifted.Masteroppgave i biologiBIO399MAMN-BI

Norsk sverm : asymmetrisk strategi og norsk forsvarsevne

English summary : In a rapidly changing strategic context, long-standing assumptions regarding military concepts must be re-evaluated. The Norwegian Swarm is a proposed alternative to the current Norwegian landpower operational concept. Any concept must build on a solid theoretical foundation in order to identify strengths and weaknesses as early as possible. This theoretical foundation should rely on rigorous analysis of empirical observations. If not, it runs the risk of recycling established assumptions and does not contribute to a constructive military theoretical debate. The research question of this thesis thus becomes: Can the Norwegian Swarm defeat a Russian limited surprise attack, assessed by empirically based military theory? The premise for the study is a limited strategic attack against Finnmark in the period up until year 2050. NATO-support is eliminated as a factor. The thesis uses abbreviated dynamic systems modelling methodology and, based on empirical observations, constructs the National Defence Model. The arguments underpinning the model strive to be explicit and transparent, so as to allow further studies to test its validity or expand upon the model. The National Defence Model illustrates that Norway, as a small power with defensive strategic goals, is best served by pursuing a prolonged war against a larger invader. Own forces that are able to infiltrate unseen and attack along multiple axes deliver the best chance of attaining a beneficial casualty rate. Conscious use of strategic communication to shape the dominant narrative appears as an important method of maximizing the probability of victory. When inserted into the National Defence Model against Russian forces in Finnmark, the Norwegian Swarm is characterized by being a resilient and time-consuming concept. It is very difficult to neutralize, even when the enemy enjoys a highly favourable situation at the onset of hostilities. In this situation, the Swarm likely will have to conduct a prolonged war lasting for months or even years. This thesis does not assess whether Norwegian political and popular will can endure a war of this duration. It does conclude, however, that if Norway is prepared to endure the hardships for as long as needed, the Norwegian Swarm gives the country the ability to independently defeat a limited attack by Russia