The proximity of rapeseed fields influences levels of forest damage by red deer

Deer can show transitional use between agricultural fields and forests for foraging and shelter. Such transitional use may affect forest damage as nutrient balancing theory suggests that if deer ingest large amounts of nutrient-rich food, complementary browse, such as bark, may be required to balance the diet.We investigated the relationship between the level of red deer Cervus elaphus bark-stripping damage in 68 Norway spruce Picea abies stands and the presence of rapeseed Brassica napus fields – an energy-rich crop preferred by red deer – in the surroundings, hypothesizing that damage increases with decreasing distance to rapeseed fields. We also considered other potentially influencing factors, such as supplemental feeding, alternative forage availability, and deer use of spruce stands as indexed by a pellet group count.Spruce stands closer to rapeseed had a significantly higher proportion of damaged stems. The increased level of bark-stripping damage was not explained by a higher stand use of deer closer to rapeseed fields, indicating that deer increase their consumption of bark in order to balance their diet. Similarly, spruce stands closer to supplemental feeding stations had significantly higher damage levels.In line with earlier findings, damage levels were negatively related to the amount of available browse in the forest. This emphasizes the importance of alternative forage for reducing the damage risk in forest plantations.Our study shows that the availability of fields with nutrient-rich food, such as rapeseed, as well as supplemental feeding needs to be considered when predicting the level of forest damage. With a high availability of nutrient-rich food in the vicinity of forest stands, a higher damage level can be expected and counteractions could be taken such as increased disturbance, harvest or changed choice of both crop and supplemental feed types. These actions may also be combined with a push–pull strategy where the deer are steered to disturbance-free zones insensitive to damage and with alternative forage. The importance of alternative forage availability on damage levels highlights the necessity for managers to actively promote tree and shrub forage within and around their production stands

Nutrient balancing or spring flush - What determines spruce bark stripping level by red deer?

The distribution and population density of red deer (Cervus elaphus) are increasing in several regions of Europe. The deer may cause severe damage in commercial forestry and agriculture. Bark stripping is the main problem in forests, especially on Norway spruce (Picea abies), and is thought to mostly occur during winter when other forage is scarce. It has been suggested that an imbalance in the nutrient intake, and especially a diet including high amounts of easily-digestible macronutrients, such as agricultural crops, can lead to an increased urge to consume bark. Feeding on brassicas, for example rapeseed (Brassica napus) might have this effect. The aim with this study was to investigate the relationship between intake of rapeseed and bark stripping on Norway spruce by red deer during early spring. We did this by a controlled feeding experiment with four groups of captive red deer in southern Sweden. All groups were given spruce logs every week, while only two groups had access to freshly harvested rapeseed plants. In addition, influence of air temperature and forage nutritional composition was taken into account. Our results show that red deer bark stripping can be considerable not only during winter but also during spring green-up. We found no significant influence of rapeseed on bark stripping performed by the deer. However, at a threshold temperature, deer suddenly started to ingest large amounts of bark biomass, coinciding with a significant change in the bark's concentration of starch. We suggest that the lack of effect of rapeseed feeding can partly be explained by overshadowing effects caused by such seasonal changes of bark character-istics, and partly by the fact that the rapeseed plants in our study contained lower than expected concentrations of easily-digestible macronutrients (apart from protein). We conclude that the risk of damage on spruce can be especially high during certain periods, something that is important to consider when mitigating bark stripping. However, several interactive effects are involved and must be considered in order to more efficiently mitigate damage

Nutrient density of beverages in relation to climate impact

The food chain contributes to a substantial part of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and growing evidence points to the urgent need to reduce GHGs emissions worldwide. Among suggestions were proposals to alter food consumption patterns by replacing animal foods with more plant-based foods. However, the nutritional dimensions of changing consumption patterns to lower GHG emissions still remains relatively unexplored. This study is the first to estimate the composite nutrient density, expressed as percentage of Nordic Nutrition Recommendations (NNR) for 21 essential nutrients, in relation to cost in GHG emissions of the production from a life cycle perspective, expressed in grams of CO2-equivalents, using an index called the Nutrient Density to Climate Impact (NDCI) index. The NDCI index was calculated for milk, soft drink, orange juice, beer, wine, bottled carbonated water, soy drink, and oat drink. Due to low-nutrient density, the NDCI index was 0 for carbonated water, soft drink, and beer and below 0.1 for red wine and oat drink. The NDCI index was similar for orange juice (0.28) and soy drink (0.25). Due to a very high-nutrient density, the NDCI index for milk was substantially higher (0.54) than for the other beverages. Future discussion on how changes in food consumption patterns might help avert climate change need to take both GHG emission and nutrient density of foods and beverages into account

Targeting the RNA m⁶A reader YTHDF2 selectively compromises cancer stem cells in acute myeloid leukemia

International audienc

Toddlers’ introduction to the nursery and children’s meaning making

Toddlers’ introduction to the nursery and children’s meaning making A majority of the children in Swedish nurseries (the nursery is a part of the Swedish pre-school) are 1- 4 years old. In spite of this, studies that focus on toddlers in educational contexts are rare; mostly they involve older children. Sciences that define children and childhood are of importance to the construction of this phase of life. The aim of this study is therefore to investigate the youngest children’s first encounter with an educational institution and their meaning making processes. The initial question of the study is: Which patterns and variations are distinguished by toddlers´ introduction to a nursery in a perspective of interaction and meaning making? This project concerning toddlers’ introduction to a nursery is accomplished as a case study at one nursery with 20 children aged 1-1 1/2 years old. The study is theoretically based on the sociology of childhood, theory of learning and meaning making. The methods used are observations, field notes and interviews with educators and parents. This is a study in progress and at present the analyses are not completed. However, the preliminary result of my observations is that the interaction between the educators and the children vary, have different functions in different situations and that expressions of emotions and the responses from the educators are of importance concerning children’s meaning making

Becoming a preschool child - Subjectification in toddlers during their introduction to preschool in a gender perspective

The aim of this presentation is to discuss and problematize children’s introduction to the pre-school as social practice with a focus on subjectification in a gender perspective. This introductory process is to be of great importance in the Swedish preschool. This paper is based on a study carried out in one strategically chosen preschool infant group. The study addresses the question of which possible subject positions can be adopted by children during their introduction period to the preschool, their first institutional practice. What possibilities are offered and what limitations imposed as part of the pedagogical practice? The focus is on the interaction between the teachers and the children and between the children and the social practice. One of the analytical tools used is the concept “positioning”. In my observations I observed gendered positions for the child as both in need of care and competent. Key words: Childhood, childhood care, subjectification, gender, positioning, toddlers

The construction of “the competent child” and early childhood care

Abstract The construction of “the competent child” and early childhood care Values education among the youngest children in a nursery school The phenomenon I focus on in this article is the construction of “the competent child”. This discourse, that has developed from both psychology and later the sociology of childhood, has influenced the Swedish Childhood Education. One purpose of this paper is to investigate the pedagogical signs in this construction of “the competent child” and to investigate the influence of a new understanding of children in a child care practice. I have chosen a Reggio Emilia-inspired nursery, with its emphasis on democracy and view of the child as competent and active, to shed light on the connections between this view and a values education. I also aim to problematise this paradigm of childhood. The theoretical discussions concerning the view of the competent child are illustrated by empirical material from a limited case study at one child care centre. The methods used in the present study are field notes and video recordings. Empirical material from my case study illustrates how values education is expressed in a child care practice. The children in the nursery observed can be seen as both “being” with access to adult nursing and care, and also as being competent