Nitrogen and phosphorus balances on Finnish dairy farms

The calculation of whole-farm nutrient balance is an effective and simple method for estimating the potential nutrient loading from dairy farming into the environment. In Finland, however, the published results based on larger number of farms are still lacking. In this study whole-farm nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) balances on Finnish dairy farms were studied based on short-cut data for the year 2002. The survey was targeted to 1260 dairy farms, located all over Finland. Of the 386 replies received, 319 were used for subsequent statistical analyses. The association between selected farm variables and nutrient balance was studied using regression analysis and a sensitivity coefficient was calculated for each regression slope. The average (± standard deviation) whole-farm nutrient balance for N and P was 109 (±41.3) and 12 (±7.2) kg ha-1, respectively. The most responsive factors affecting the nutrient balances were total nutrient and fertilizer import per ha, followed by animal density, milk export per ha and concentrate import per ha. The results suggested that nutrient surpluses could be controlled more easily in combined crop and milk than in specialised milk production. It is concluded that nutrient surplus on Finnish dairy farms is markedly lower than that on areas with intensive production in central European countries. However, when nutrient balances were extrapolated to comparable production intensity as in central Europe, the level of the surpluses was equal

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Siirretty Doriast

Localisation of primary food production in Finland: production potential and environmental impacts of food consumption patterns

The potential for and environmental consequences of localising primary production of food were investigated by considering different food consumption patterns, based on conventional and organic production. Environmental impact was assessed according to agricultural land use and numbers of production animals, both of which depend on food consumption. The results were quantified in terms of nutrient balances, greenhouse gas and acid emissions and the diversity of crop cultivation, which indicate eutrophication of watersheds, climate change and landscape changes, respectively. The study region was able to satisfy its own needs for all farming and food consumption scenarios. Dietary choice had a marked impact on agricultural land use and on the environmental parameters considered. Organic farming for local food production resulted in higher greenhouse gas emissions. Compared with mixed diets, the vegetarian diet was associated with lower emissions and nutrient surpluses, but also with reduced crop diversity. The arable areas allocated to leys and pastures were also smaller. The study area represents a predominantly rural region and is a net exporter of agricultural produce. Therefore, only part of the environmental impact of food production results from local needs. Both the differences among the dietary options and the overall environmental benefit of localised primary food production were greatly reduced when considering total agricultural production of the region. Much of the negative impact of agriculture is due to food consumption in the densely populated urban areas, but the consequences are mainly felt in the production areas. The environmental impacts of localisation of primary food production for the rural areas are small and inconsistent. The results indicate the importance of defining ‘local’ on a regional basis and including the urban food sinks in impact assessment

Hevostaloutta ympäristöä kunnioittaen

Hevostalouden vahva kasvu Suomessa luo uutta nostetta maaseutualueille. Se lisää myös rehun, erikoisammattien ja oheispalveluiden kysyntää. Kasvu kuitenkin koettelee paikoin naapurisopua ja jossakin määrin lähiympäristön tilaa. EquineLife-hankkeessa ratkottiin näitä haasteita.vo

Traditional Ecological Knowledge

Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) refers to a body of knowledge, practices, and ideas transmitted and (re)generated orally and non-verbally in diverse forms from generation to generation. It is constantly changing and being updated. TEK is rich among several communities, but we will situate our cases in the Amazonian and Arctic Indigenous contexts. We will also discuss the limits of TEK in sustainability science, which include its truth-value and legitimacy. As it originates from different traditions, experiences, and language structures, it is challenging to systematize. Recently, however, TEK has been recognized in a more inclusive way, and traditional knowledge holders have been taken as collaborators to scientific projects. Therefore, various local communities have been able to contribute to science with their views and knowledge of the social history and presence of specific places, which are rapidly changing due to climate change and global warming. This has also offered better-situated and multidimensional understandings of complex and dynamic ecosystems. The inclusion of TEK can thus bring better-informed results, improve our understanding of environmental situations, and eventually contribute to greater sustainability.Peer reviewe

Lost boys? : Secondary education and crime

Peer reviewe

Knowledge Management Challenges in Renewal of R&D Processes in Software Business

A software company operates in a dynamic, knowledge intensive business. To stay competitive in such a business, the R&D processes and their development play a significant role. Knowledge management becomes a factor when organizing knowledge work. This paper is based on a qualitative case study conducted in a software company moving to component based production. In addition to theoretical insights, the paper describes the KM challenges involved in this process and suggests solutions to these. Also some managerial implications are proposed

johdantoartikkeli

kansatiedeIn this introduction to the Journal of Finnish Studies theme issue entitled The Making of Finland: The Era of the Grand Duchy, the editors outline, in broad strokes, the years when Finland was part of Russia. The second part of the chapter consists of a discussion of the eight chapters that make up this article collection. The contributors approach the topic of the Grand Duchy of Finland from multiple—and even surprising—perspectives, showing how, in addition to the important cultural events that contributed to Finland’s quest for independence, ordinary aspects of daily life, such as food culture, were also part of this path, as was hunger, poverty, and illness.Peer reviewe