Comparative aspects of volatile fatty acid production in reindeer {Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in northern Norway and on South Georgia

Dietary influence on pH and volatile fatty acids concentrations and production rates in the rumen and distal fermentation chamber (DFC) was investigated in Norwegian reindeer (Rangifer t. tarandus) on South Georgia in summer (SG), and in northern Norway in late summer (NS) and winter (NW). Mean [standard deviation (s)] ruminal pH was similar in SG teindeet (6.46, s = 0.13) and NW reindeer (6.45, s = 0.19), but significantly different from NS reindeer (6.87, s = 0.08)(P < 0.05). Mean DFC pH in SG reindeer (6.92, s = 0.12) and in NS reindeer (6.70, s = 0.16) did not differ significantly. In NW reindeer DFC pH (6.26, s = 0.20) was significantly lower than in the SG and NS animals (P < 0.05). Mean ruminal concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA) was 92.4 mM (s = 13-3) in SG reindeer, which was significantly larger (P < 0.05) than in NS (71.5 mM, s = 10.2) and NW reindeer (73.3 mM, s = 9.7). In DFC mean VFA concentration was 51.3 mM (s = 11.7), and 48.8mM (s = 14.5) in SG and NW reindeer respectively, and significantly less than in NS reindeer (86.7mM, s = 5.4) (P < 0.05). Mean daily ruminal VFA rate of production was 246.4 kj/kg BM"" in SG teindeer, compared to 195.6 kj/kg BM"" in NS and 193.4 kJ/kgBM0 75 in NW reindeer. Mean daily VFA rate of production in DFC was 8.3 kj/kg BM0 75 in SG reindeer compared to 6.2 kj/kg BM07' in NS and 3.0 kj/kg BM"75 in NW reindeer. The summer pastures on SG and NS were of moderate quality in terms of ruminal VFA production. In winter in northern Norway when forage quality was assumed to be low, both ruminal and DFC pH were low. The high fermentation rate in winter was probably due to easily digestible carbohydrates in the lichens eaten. DFC seems to be of minor importance in these reindeer in terms of VFA energy yield

Forage chemistry and the digestive system in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in northern Norway and on South Georgia

Comparative chemical and botanical analyses of the reticulo-rumen content (RR) and the fill of the digestive system were carried out in free-living Norwegian reindeer {Rangifer t. tarandus) on South Georgia (SG) in summer (mean body mass (BM) = 74 kg, n - 10), and in northern Norway in late summer (NS) (mean BM = 77 kg, n = 6) and winter (NW) (mean BM = 60 kg, n = 11). The RR of SG reindeer contained mainly grasses, while grasses dominated in NS reindeer and woody plants and lichens in NW reindeer. Mean ruminal plant cell-wall contents (CWC) comprised 37% of organic dry matter (OM) in SG reindeer and 50 and 69% in NS and NW reindeer, respectively. The high CWC in NW reindeer was due to high intake of lichens containing as much as 45% hemi-cellulose. Mean ruminal content of lignin was as low as 5% of OM in SG reindeer, which was different (P < 0.05) from NS (14%) and NW reindeer (15%), respectively. The mean total gastro-inresrinal tract (GIT) (fill and tissue) weight was 27% of BM in SG reindeer, different (P < 0.05) from NS (18% of BM) and NW reindeer (22% of BM), respectively. Wet weight RR content was 14.5% of BM in SG reindeer, not different from NS (12.2% of BM) and NW reindeer (14.2% of BM). The ratio between the wet weight content of the distal fermentation chamber (DFC) and the RR wet weight content was 1:10 in SG reindeer, different (P < 0.05) from NS (1:14) and NW reindeer (1:14). We did not find any significant differences between the intestinal lengths of the groups investigated. It was concluded that the degree of fill of the different parts of GIT in reindeet seems to be related to the lignin content of plants eaten and not only of seasonal changes in appetite and availability of plants. Our data stress the fact that reindeer are highly adaptable to a wide range of different dietary plants, even in the southern hemisphere

The bacteriology of the small intestinal mucosa of free-living reindeer

Bacteria in close associaton with the intestinal mucosa are thought to protect the mucosa from pathogenic microorganisms. The pH of the small intestinal mucosa and the viable populations of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria associated with the proximal and distal jejunal mucosa, were measured in four free-living reindeer in winter. The anaerobic bacterial populations were characterized. The median pH of the mucosa of the duodenum was 6.6 (n=4) at point 0.2 m from the pyloric sphincter. The mucosal pH increased along the length of the intestine to 8.3 at 14 m and then decreased to 7.9 at 19.8 m from the pyloric sphincter. Examination by transmission electron microscopy and cultivation techniques failed to reveal any bacteria on the mucosa of the proximal jejunum in two of the animals. In two other reindeer the median anaerobic bacterial densities in the proximal jejunum ranged from 25-2500 cells/g mucosa. The median anaerobic bacterial populations in the distal jejunum ranged from 80 to 20000 bacteria/g mucosa (n=4). The anaerobic population of bacteria in the proximal jejunum was dominated by streptococci and unidentified gram positive rods. Bacteroidaceae, streptococci and unidentified gram positive rods were common in the distal jejunum. The low density and the species diversity of bacteria in the small intestine suggests that these microorganisms are inhibited by components in the natural winter diet of reindeer. Bacteria evidently play a minor role in protection of the mucosa of reindeer in winter

Industrially relevant pyrolysis of diverse contaminated organic wastes: Gas compositions and emissions to air

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Living in the Landscape 2021

Målet med det arktiske samarbeidsprosjektet ‘Living in the landscape’ (LiLa) er å samle studenter og forsk­­ere fra ulike fagområder for å utvikle estetiske læreprosesser gjennom kultur-sensitiv og bærekraftig forskning på sosiokulturelle landskap i den europeisk-arktiske regionen. Covid 19 medførte at prosjektet i stedet for et fysisk møte i et felles landskap ble endret til en Online Spring School. Deltakerne produserte kunstneriske uttrykk som ble presentert i en online utstilling, i tillegg til visuelle essay. Med utgangspunkt i forfatternes fem essay med fokus på lokale tradisjoner med ull, starr og dun vil vi vise hvordan en felles forståelse for landskapets mangefasetterte betydning kunne utvikle seg i et online fellesskap på tvers av fagområder og kulturelle forskjeller. Våre norske bidrag eksemplifiserer hvordan det er mulig å formidle kunnskap om tradisjoner, kultur og identitet i et digitalt kulturfellesskap

The role of the arts and crafts subject in education for sustainable development

Artikkelen presenterer en kvalitativ undersøkelse om kunst og håndverksfagets bidrag i et tverrfaglig undervisningsprosjekt om marin forsøpling i Norge. Vi gjør rede for hvordan faget kunst og håndverk bidrar i utdanning for bærekraftig utvikling utover        kompetansemål beskrevet i de nye norske læreplanene, LK20, der fokuset er på tekno­logisk kompetanse og materialkunnskap, gjenbruk og produktutvikling. Empirien består av notater fra deltakende observasjon og visuelle uttrykk fra elever på mellomtrinnet og ungdomstrinnet. Vi benyttet Visual Art Based Participatory Method for å analysere materialet. Resultatene indikerer at kreative og skapende prosesser i kunst og håndverk er betydningsfulle for å gi elevene mulighet til å uttrykke og bearbeide sine følelser om vanskelige dilemma. Dette ser ut til å være et viktig bidrag for å øke elevenes forståelse, engasjement og handlingskompetanse for bærekraftig utvikling. Gjennom Eco Art bidro elevene til samfunnsdebatten og fikk innblikk i samfunnets interessekonflikter. Vi mener at det kroppslige og affektive elementet av kunst og håndverksfaget er under­kommunisert i LK20, men at det har avgjørende betydning for elevenes motivasjon for å lære og handle for en bærekraftig fremtid. Med denne artikkelen ønsker vi å åpne opp for en diskusjon i fagfeltet om kunst og håndverks rolle i utdanning for bærekraftig utvikling.Abstract The article presents a qualitative study of the contribution of arts and crafts (AC) in an interdisciplinary teaching project on marine litter in Norway. We explain how the subject AC may contribute in education for sustainable development beyond com­petence goals described in the new Norwegian curriculum “Fagfornyelsen” (LK20), where the focus is on technological competence and knowledge of materials, recycling and product development. The empirical data consist of notes from participatory observation and visual expressions from students in grades 5–10. We used the Visual Art Based Participatory Method to analyse the material. The results indicate that creative and making processes in AC are important in giving students the opportunity to express and process their feelings about difficult dilemmas, and this seems to be an important contribution to increase students’ understanding, commitment and action competence for sustainable development. Through Eco Art, students contributed to the societal debate and gained insight into society’s conflicts of interest. We believe that physical learning opportunities and the affective element in AC is under-communicated in LK20, but that it is crucial for students’ motivation to learn and act for a sustainable future. With this article we hope to open a discussion in the field about AC’s role in education for sustainable development

Living in the Landscape 2021 : Kunstbasert arktisk økokultur i et online samarbeidsprosjekt

The aim of the Arctic collaborative project 'Living in the landscape' (LiLa) is to bring together students and researchers from various disciplines to develop aesthetic learning processes through culture-sensitive and sustainable research on socio-cultural landscapes in the European-Arctic region. Covid 19 meant that the project, instead of a physical meeting in a shared landscape, was changed to an Online Spring School. Participants produced artistic expressions that were presented in an online exhibition, in addition to visual essays. Based on the authors' five essays focusing on local traditions with wool, starch and down, we will show how a shared understanding of the landscape's multifaceted meaning developed in an online community across disciplines and cultural differences. Our Norwegian contributions exemplify how it is possible to convey knowledge about traditions, culture and identity in a digital cultural community.Målet med det arktiske samarbeidsprosjektet ‘Living in the landscape’ (LiLa) er å samle studenter og forsk­­ere fra ulike fagområder for å utvikle estetiske læreprosesser gjennom kultur-sensitiv og bærekraftig forskning på sosiokulturelle landskap i den europeisk-arktiske regionen. Covid 19 medførte at prosjektet i stedet for et fysisk møte i et felles landskap ble endret til en Online Spring School. Deltakerne produserte kunstneriske uttrykk som ble presentert i en online utstilling, i tillegg til visuelle essay. Med utgangspunkt i forfatternes fem essay med fokus på lokale tradisjoner med ull, starr og dun vil vi vise hvordan en felles forståelse for landskapets mangefasetterte betydning kunne utvikle seg i et online fellesskap på tvers av fagområder og kulturelle forskjeller. Våre norske bidrag eksemplifiserer hvordan det er mulig å formidle kunnskap om tradisjoner, kultur og identitet i et digitalt kulturfellesskap