| 1. |
- Bergström, Lena, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of offshore wind farms on marine wildlife-a generalized impact assessment
- 2014
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Ingår i: Environmental Research Letters. - : IOP Publishing. - 1748-9326. ; 9:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Marine management plans over the world express high expectations to the development of offshore wind energy. This would obviously contribute to renewable energy production, but potential conflicts with other usages of the marine landscape, as well as conservation interests, are evident. The present study synthesizes the current state of understanding on the effects of offshore wind farms on marine wildlife, in order to identify general versus local conclusions in published studies. The results were translated into a generalized impact assessment for coastal waters in Sweden, which covers a range of salinity conditions from marine to nearly fresh waters. Hence, the conclusions are potentially applicable to marine planning situations in various aquatic ecosystems. The assessment considered impact with respect to temporal and spatial extent of the pressure, effect within each ecosystem component, and level of certainty. Research on the environmental effects of offshore wind farms has gone through a rapid maturation and learning process, with the bulk of knowledge being developed within the past ten years. The studies showed a high level of consensus with respect to the construction phase, indicating that potential impacts on marine life should be carefully considered in marine spatial planning. Potential impacts during the operational phase were more locally variable, and could be either negative or positive depending on biological conditions as well as prevailing management goals. There was paucity in studies on cumulative impacts and long-term effects on the food web, as well as on combined effects with other human activities, such as the fisheries. These aspects remain key open issues for a sustainable marine spatial planning.
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| 2. |
- Bergström, Lena, et al.
(författare)
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The effects of wind power on marine life : A Synthesis
- 2012
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- As in many other countries, an expansion of wind power is expected in Sweden during the coming decades. The expansion is driven by rising prices on electricity and the need for an increased production of renewable energy. Since wind conditions at sea are good and relatively constant, several offshore wind farms are planned in Swedish waters. Offshore wind power with a total effect of about 2500 MW has been granted permission and an additional 5500 MW are being planned for. Examples of granted projects are Storgrundet with an effect of 265 MW, Stora Middelgrund with an effect of 860 MW and Kårehamn with an effect of 48 MW. The largest offshore wind farm in Sweden today is Lillgrund in Öresund, with its 48 turbines with an installed effect of 110 MW.Prior to this expected expansion, it is important to investigate the environmental impact of offshore wind power, and how possible negative effects can be minimized. This synopsis about the impact of wind power on the marine life in Swedish waters is based on more than 600 studies, most of which are scientific articles, but also reports by companies and authorities.Habitats and species in Swedish marine areasSwedish marine areas are characterized by a unique salinity gradient that varies from marine conditions in Skagerrak to almost limnic environments in the Gulf of Bothnia. There are also vast differences between areas in terms of environmental factors such as insolation, temperature and wave exposure. This entails variation in species composition, dominance by different populations and structural differences in plant and animal communities. Therefore, this synopsis provides environment descriptions of three widely separated marine areas: the Swedish West Coast (Kattegat and Skagerrak), the Baltic Proper and the Gulf of Bothnia (Bothnian Sea and Bothnian Bay). The main focus is on occurrence of species and communities within the depth interval that is of interest for establishing offshore wind power in Sweden.Offshore wind powerThere are mainly two types of foundation structures used in Sweden today: gravity-based foundations and monopile foundations. These are also the most commercially viable. Offshore wind farm projects affect the environment in different ways during installation, operation and decommissioning. The installation phase is assessed as having the largest impact on the environment, since high noise levels and sediment dispersal can affect marine organisms. A wind farm during operation can cause barrier effects as well as changes in the natural environment. The decommissioning phase can again enhance noise levels and lead to sediment dispersal in the wind park and its adjacent area. Effects on marine organisms and communities Since marine environmental conditions vary between different locations as well as over time, it is difficult to make universal assessments of the effects of offshore wind power. This increases the importance of well-designed pilot studies and monitoring programs of the local environment. Also, location-specific surveys minimize the risk that costly measures to reduce negative impact are used when they are not needed. In general, installation and decommissioning of offshore wind farms should be planned so that sensitive reproductive periods for marine species are avoided. Particular consideration might also be needed for constructions in important growth and spawning areas for fish and marine mammals, or specific environments, such as offshore banks with high natural values. Below is a list of the effects that, according to existing knowledge and accessible literature, might affect marine organisms and communities. Each effect has been assessed after how long, and to what scale, it affects the marine life in the wind farm area.Acoustic disturbances during the installationAs monopile foundations are being driven into the sea floor, a lot of noise is generated that spreads in the water. Cod and herring can potentially perceive noise from pile driving at a distance of 80 kilometres, experiencing physical damage and death at just a few meters from the place of installation. For all types of work involving noise, flight reactions in fish are expected within a distance of about one kilometre from the source. The greatest risk of significant harm to fish populations exists if the installation overlaps with important recruitment areas for threatened or weak populations. Among the marine mammals, porpoises have proved to get both impaired hearing and behavioural disturbances from noise associated with pile driving. There are no studies indicating any long-term negative effects on any of the seal species occurring in Swedish waters. It is not possible to draw any general conclusions of the effects on invertebrates from pile driving noise, since the group is too large and diverse. The few studies that exist, however, show that oysters are relatively sensitive, whilst mussels are not affected at all. The effects of high noise levels can be reduced by, for example, successively increasing the power and thus the noise during piling, so that larger animals such as fish, seal and porpoises are intimidated at an early stage and leave the construction area well before high noise levels are reached.Sediment dispersalDredging work during the construction of gravitational foundations, and laying of cables between the wind turbines and land, can cause sediment from the bottom to whirl up and disperse in the water mass. The amount of sediment dispersed depends on the type of sediment, water currents and which dredging method is being used. Increased concentrations of sediment in the water affect mainly fish fry and larval stages negatively. Invertebrates are often adapted to re-suspension of sediment, since it occurs naturally in their environment. The sediment dispersal at the construction of a wind farm is often confined to a short period. The effects are also relatively small due to the fact that the bottom sediment is usually coarse-grained. The overall assessment is therefore that sediment dispersal is a limited problem for most animal and plant communities, but specific consideration should be taken and fish recruitment periods should be avoided.Introduction of a new habitatThe foundations of wind turbines can function as artificial reefs and attract many fish species, particularly around gravitational foundations which have a structurally complex erosion protection. At first there is often a redistribution of fish from nearby areas to the wind park foundations, but over time an actual increased fish production within the park is possible, as long as the park is large enough and the fishing pressure is low. The structure of the erosion protection can bring local positive effects for crustaceans such as lobster and crab, by functioning as shelter as well as increasing their foraging area. One example of a species that seems to increase locally around foundation structures on the Swedish West Coast and the Baltic Proper is the blue mussel. Which species that will dominate depends on the salinity in the area. There are no studies showing that foundation structures will facilitate the distribution of new species to Swedish marine areas. One reason for this might be that the total amount of hard bottom surface formed by the foundations and their structures is relatively small compared to natural hard bottoms.Turbine noise and boat trafficMaintenance work on the wind turbines causes a certain increase in boat traffic in the area of an operating wind farm. Also, different parts of the turbines generate noise during operation that spreads through the water. The reactions of fish on noise from turbines and boat engines vary, but study results indicate that the effect on most fish species from noise produced in a wind farm is low. There are, however, no studies on long-term effects of stress due to an increased noise level or effects of noise disturbance on fish spawning behaviour. Porpoises especially, but to some extent also seals, are sensitive to noise disturbance. Today there are no studies showing negative effects from the operational sounds from a wind farm on populations of marine mammals. The noise of both strong winds and engines from ships often exceeds the underwater noise generated by operating wind farms.Electromagnetic fieldsThe electric cables leading from a wind turbine generates a magnetic field that decreases with distance from the cable. The expected effect on most fish species is low, but since the effect is ongoing throughout the entire operational stage, the risk should be considered in areas that are important to migrating fish species. No studies have been found that show how electromagnetic fields affect marine mammals. The few studies that have been found on invertebrates indicate that the electromagnetic fields around common transmission cables have no effect on either reproduction or survival.Exclusion of birdsMost birds do not avoid wind farm areas. An exception is several common diving ducks that avoid flying or swimming within wind farms and keep a safe distance of at least 500 meters to a turbine tower. The most common food for these species in the Baltic Sea is blue mussels. Areas within the Swedish economic zone where a large-scale expansion of wind power would have the greatest effect on the ducks, and thereby indirectly affect the benthic community, are the offshore banks in the central Baltic Proper, mainly Hoburg Bank and Northern Midsjö Bank, where two thirds of the oldsquaw populations in Europe overwinters. The level of impact will depend on the total area of the park, and the distance between the turbine towers. Large-scale studies are needed in order to assess if the effect might lead to substantial changes for the benthic community.Gaps of knowledgeThe basis of this synopsis is research results from studies concerning single wind turbines or small wind farms, which in many
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| 3. |
- Bergström, Lena, et al.
(författare)
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Vindkraftens effekter på marint liv : En syntesrapport
- 2012
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Precis som i manga andra lander forvantas en utbyggnad av vindkraft i Sverige under de narmaste decennierna. Expansionen drivs bland annat av stigande elpriser och behovet av okad produktion av fornybar el. I Sverige har havsbaserad vindkraft med en total effekt pa ungefar 2500 MW fatt tillstand och ytterligare 5500 MW ar under utveckling. Exempel pa vindkraftsprojekt med fardiga tillstand ar Storgrundet med en effekt pa 265 MW, Stora Middelgrund med en effekt pa 860 MW och Karehamn med en effekt pa 48 MW. I dag utgor Lillgrund i Oresund med sina 48 vindkraftverk och 110 MW i installerad effekt, Sveriges storstahavsbaserade vindkraftpark. Infor denna forvantade expansion ar det viktigt att undersoka vindkraftens miljoeffekter, och hur eventuella negativa effekter kan minimeras. Over 600 studier, huvudsakligen vetenskapliga artiklar, men aven rapporter fran foretag och myndigheter, ligger till grund for slutsatserna och rekommendationerna i denna syntesrapport om paverkan av vindkraft pa det marina livet i svenska havsomraden. [...]
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| 4. |
- Borell, Lena, et al.
(författare)
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Exploring experiences of "participation" among individuals living with chronic pain
- 2006
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1103-8128 .- 1651-2014. ; 13:2, s. 76-85
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this paper is to advance our understanding of participation and its relation to occupation, by analysing the daily occupational experiences of six men and women living with chronic pain. Open-ended interviews are used in conjunction with a constant comparative method of analysis. The findings are thematically presented as: "taking initiative and making choices", doing something physical", "doing something social", and "doing something for others". Furthermore, a short vignette is presented in which the authors attempt to juxtapose theoretical constructs with individual experiences in order to illustrate another level of contextual richness of the data. Methodological implications are discussed in relation to the findings, analytic presentation, and previous research.
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| 5. |
- Cleeve, Helena, et al.
(författare)
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Drawing in-situ : Matters of care and representation in daily life with dementia
- 2023
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Ingår i: Qualitative Research. - : Sage Publications. - 1468-7941 .- 1741-3109. ; 23:3, s. 782-808
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This article brings methodological insight into in-situ drawings as representations of daily life with dementia. As part of ethnographic fieldwork in dementia care units in a nursing home, drawings were made on site by a researcher. We suggest that the ambiguity of in-situ drawings, and the ensuing possibilities to disambiguate them, is valuable. Inspired by Asdal and Moser’s (2012) concept of “contexting,” we experimented with arranging the drawings with fieldnotes, discussing them with staff members, as well as with configuring multiple drawings and fieldnotes in sequences. This led to reflexive engagements with the drawings, creating space for discussing concerns in research practices and care practices. Switching between different forms of contexting produced tensions, revealing that what was cared for through the practices of researchers, staff members, and residents, diverged. In this way, we argue that contexting in-situ drawings may intervene in ways of knowing, caring for, and living with dementia.
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| 6. |
- Cleeve, Helena, et al.
(författare)
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(In)visible materialities in the context of dementia care
- 2020
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Ingår i: Sociology of Health and Illness. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0141-9889 .- 1467-9566. ; 42:1, s. 126-142
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Seemingly mundane materialities are intertwined with important, but often neglected, care interactions. It has been argued that if healthcare professionals paid more attention to the roles materialities can have, everyday routines could become important occasions for care. In response to such proposals, we argue that it is relevant to examine how materialities are currently understood. In this article, we explore materialities as part of work in a dementia unit. Using abstracted illustrations of everyday materialities to elicit reflections, we conducted 11 individual interviews with certified nursing assistants. Through phenomenographic analysis we explain our findings as three different categories conceptualising understandings of materialities as: ‘tools for care’, ‘a set of principles for care’ and ‘caring relationships’. Our analysis indicates that understanding materialities as instruments was reinforced and made visible through the healthcare organisation while understanding materialities as part of specific relationships with residents appeared informal and less visible. How materialities were understood seemed to have several implications for residents. While care practices could benefit from nursing assistants’ abilities to alternate between ways of understanding materialitites, such competence seemed dependent on how professional care was organised, structured and materialised.
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| 7. |
- Johansson, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Qualities of the environment that support a sense of home and belonging in nursing homes for older people
- 2022
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Ingår i: Ageing & Society. - : Cambridge University Press. - 0144-686X .- 1469-1779. ; 42:1, s. 157-178
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study was to contribute with knowledge about how a sense of home and belonging is enacted and can be supported in everyday life, with a particular focus on the relationships that connect everyday life and the environment in nursing home contexts. The concepts 'a sense of home' and 'belonging' were chosen with the ambition to grasp values grounded in experiences and everyday practices, with an openness for various aspects that can support an enjoyable life and comfort for nursing home residents. The study focused on communal areas, e.g. dining room, kitchen, corridors and gardens, that serve as arenas where nursing home residents' everyday lives expand beyond the private room. Ethnographic methods were applied to identify and explore situations where a sense of home and belonging were enacted in nursing homes that had been acknowledged as good examples of nursing home environments. Through the analytic process, four qualities were identified: (a) a cornerstone for stability and everydayness, (b) the beating heart, (c) spatial dynamics, and (d) magnetic places. Following from the chosen methodology, the findings provide a situated understanding of how communal areas in nursing homes can invite a sense of home and belonging for the residents.
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| 8. |
- Mondaca, Margarita, et al.
(författare)
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Altering the boundaries of everyday life in a nursing home context
- 2019
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1103-8128 .- 1651-2014. ; 26:6, s. 441-451
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Despite global and local policy frameworks that explicitly aim to privilege participation and active engagement of older adults living in nursing homes, this group often has limited possibilities to engage in occupations and to have influence in their everyday lives. Aim: To explore how older adults’ engagement and influence in an occupation can emerge in everyday life in a nursing home setting.Material and methods: A participatory qualitative approach was applied. Older adults living in a nursing home participated in a Book Club that was created collaboratively between researchers, residents, and the nursing home community.Findings: The analysis identified qualities of altering the boundaries of everyday life and addressing the uncertain conditions for influence and engagement as processes actualized by the residents when engaging in the Book Club. Further analysis identified how these processes involved ordinariness, familiarity, fellowship, and connectedness.Conclusion and Significance: Engagement and influence in occupation in a nursing home is possible when enabling partnerships and resourcefulness among the residents. However, such enablement is not guaranteed and needs to be actively upheld by the nursing home community in order to build practices aligned with policy frameworks of participation.
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| 9. |
- Nilsson, Ingeborg, et al.
(författare)
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Perpetuating harms from isolation among older adults with cognitive impairment : observed discrepancies in homecare service documentation, assessment and approval practices
- 2018
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Ingår i: BMC Health Services Research. - : BioMed Central. - 1472-6963. ; 18
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Older persons with cognitive impairment (CI) risk social isolation. Strong evidence shows that perceived loneliness, or inadequate social networks, triggers and increases health problems. How homecare systems address social participation remains unknown; anecdotal data suggests there are significant gaps. This study's objective was to identify and describe how the assessors of homecare needs document social participation among persons with CI and how their documentation corresponds with the services actually provided to meet social needs. The research questions were: How and what kinds of social participation needs are documented on need assessment forms? What types of homecare services (with a social focus) are documented and approved? How are specified needs in social participation profiles addressed by a homecare service?Methods: Descriptive data from need assessment forms and their attached care plans for all applicants aged 65+ were collected during a 2 month period from a large homecare agency serving a municipality in Sweden. Persons with documented CI (n = 43) in the group were identified. Qualitative data analysis was conducted to examine the research questions.Results: Social participation factors were not documented consistently. The relationship between recognition of limitations to social participation and approval of service eligibility was not consistent. Social participation was designated by references to social status, sometimes by social network size, and occasionally by limitations to social participation. The range of approved homecare services (with social focus) covered services such as day care center visits or companionship. Three profiles of social participation were identified: clients with, (a) no participation limitations; (b) potential limitations; and (c) marked limitations.Conclusion: Given the known health harms from social isolation and the high risk of isolation among older persons with CI, this novel study's documentation of inadequate and inconsistent information in homecare social need assessments and services is sobering. The findings suggest a pressing need for initiatives to formulate best practices and standards to ensure alignment of care service systems to the health needs of the growing group of aging individuals with CI.
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| 10. |
- Sandberg, Linda, et al.
(författare)
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Home care services for older clients with and without cognitive impairment in Sweden
- 2019
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Ingår i: Health & Social Care in the Community. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0966-0410 .- 1365-2524. ; 27:1, s. 139-150
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Little is known about the types of home care services granted to older clients in Sweden. The objectives of this study were to: (a) identify and describe the range of granted home care services and service hours; (b) compare services granted for clients with and without documented cognitive impairment; and (c) examine associations between the range of granted home care services and factors related to cognitive impairment and demographical characteristics. The study design was descriptive and cross‐sectional. The data, included records of granted home care services for clients age 65+ with (n = 43) and without (n = 88) cognitive impairment documented by the local municipality assessors, collected from one agency in Sweden during a 2‐month period in 2015. Data analyses resulted in an overview of the range of home care services divided into two categories: personal care and service. In the personal care category, the median was 3 for types of services (range 0–12), and shower (n = 69; 52.7%) was the most common service. In the service category, the median was 5 for types of services (range 0–10), and cleaning the household (n = 103; 78.6%) was the most common service. The median for service hours was 27 hr per month (range 2.5–127.5). Logistic regression models revealed that cognitive impairment was associated with a higher number of services in the personal care category and a higher number of hours per month. Living alone was associated with a higher number of services in the service category. In conclusion, a wide range of home care services were provided for clients who have complex needs in daily life. Home care services were granted to clients with cognitive impairment and to a greater extent with clients who were living alone.
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