| 1. |
- Brogaard, Sara, et al.
(author)
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Governance of biofuel production in the transport sector through the renewable energy directive
- 2012
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- In the search for viable pathways for transforming governance and institutions in the Rio+20 agenda, strengthening of public-private governance networks has been emphasized. Important initiatives are found in the expanding bioenergy sector where several certification schemes have been launched for ensuring that bioenergy feedstock meet environmental and social requirements. These initiatives are encouraged by the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED). RED states that biofuels should replace 10% of Europe's fossil fuel in transport by 2020. However, the production of bioliquids raises serious environmental and social sustainability concerns in producer countries. In order to contribute to the EU targets, economic operators most comply with a set of sustainability criteria through one of three reporting schemes. This study, emphasizing the Swedish case as one of the first countries to transpose RED into national law, focuses on which reporting system is chosen by economic operators and on what grounds. Are social concerns such as labor rights, land and resource rights considered important factors? Preliminary studies show that the national scheme is stressing environmental sustainability, showing fewer concerns of social aspects, while the EU recently accredited voluntary systems, driven by a range of actors, are more transformational concerning the inclusion of social concerns in producer countries. The study contributes to the important question on how to promote north-south justice and fairness aspects in governing a sustainable biofuel production by learning from the implementation of this potentially influential regulatory innovation.
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| 2. |
- Elmqvist, Bodil, et al.
(author)
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A traditional agroforestry system under threat: an analysis of the gum arabic market and cultivation in the Sudan
- 2005
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In: Agroforestry Systems. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1572-9680 .- 0167-4366. ; 64:3, s. 211-218
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The main aim of this study is to review the environmental and socioeconomic sustainability of the gum arabic farming system in central Sudan. A further aim is to analyse some of the main factors influencing production in recent decades in order to understand the future trade potential and consequently the smallholder livelihood. The study shows that end-user imports of gum arabic have increased during recent decades. Gum arabic is mainly for uses such as soft drinks, confectionary, and pharmaceuticals. However, even with this increased demand the production in Sudan, the main country of production, is declining. The producers, mainly smallholders, suger from fluctuating prices. If the gum arabic farming system should be able to provide the environmental benefits of improved soil fertility and the socioeconomic benefits of risk spreading and dry season income opportunities, the prices paid to smallholders must be stabilized at a fair level, otherwise a shift to other crops or practices might take place.
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| 3. |
- Elmqvist, Bodil, et al.
(author)
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Does the EU renewable Energy Directive contribute to fair and just governance of the biofuel sector? A comparison between the Swedish national scheme and EU accredited voluntary schemes
- 2012
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In the search for viable pathways for transforming governance and institutions in the Rio+20 agenda,strengthening of public‐private governance networks has been emphasized. Important initiatives arefound in the expanding bioenergy sector where several certification schemes have been launched forensuring that bioenergy feedstock meet environmental and social requirements. These initiatives areencouraged by the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED). RED states that biofuels should replace10% of Europe's fossil fuel in transport by 2020. However, the production of bioliquids raises seriousenvironmental and social sustainability concerns in producer countries. In order to contribute to theEU targets, economic operators most comply with a set of sustainability criteria through one of threereporting schemes. This study, emphasizing the Swedish case as one of the first countries totranspose RED into national law, focuses on which reporting system is chosen by economic operatorsand on what grounds. Are social concerns such as labor rights, land and resource rights consideredimportant factors? Preliminary work show that the national scheme is stressing environmentalsustainability, showing fewer concerns of social aspects, while the EU recently accredited voluntarysystems, driven by a range of actors, are more transformational concerning the inclusion of socialconcerns in producer countries. The study contributes to the important question on how to promotenorth‐south justice and fairness aspects in governing a sustainable biofuel production by learningfrom the implementation of this potentially influential regulatory innovation.
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| 4. |
- Elmqvist, Bodil, et al.
(author)
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Hållbarhetskrav på biodrivmedel
- 2013
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In: 15 nedslag i klimatforskningen : dåtid, nutid, framtid. - 9789163723384 ; , s. 195-208
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Book chapter (peer-reviewed)
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| 5. |
- Elmqvist, Bodil, et al.
(author)
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Land use studies in drylands: an evaluation of object-oriented classification of very high resolution panchromatic imagery
- 2008
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In: International Journal of Remote Sensing. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1366-5901 .- 0143-1161. ; 29:24, s. 7129-7140
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Object-oriented classification approaches offer an alternative to per-pixel methods for assessment of land use and land cover. Combining object-oriented approaches with very high resolution imagery may provide enhanced possibilities for applications requiring land use and land cover data. The aim of this study is to evaluate the application of object-oriented classification of panchromatic very high resolution data in African drylands, where sizes and shapes of fields are varied, and intercropping practised, which might lead to difficulties in image segmentation. The results show that region-based segmentation is sensitive to the proportion of spectral and shape information and the best results were gained when the segmentation was based on predominately spectral information. The accuracy (Kappa value of 0.6) for the object-oriented classification was significantly higher than that for per-pixel classification. However, both the segmentation and the classification were time-consuming based on a trial and error process.
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| 6. |
- Elmqvist, Bodil
(author)
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Livelihood diversification and land use change in the Sahel: an interdisciplinary analysis of gum arabic in Sudan
- 2006
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This thesis contributes to the ongoing debate about livelihood diversifi cation and the related question of agriculture’s central role in rural development in the Sahel. It focuses on on-farm diversifi cation during the dry season. The aim is to assess the practice and potential of gum arabic production for smallholders in central Sudan. The agricultural system of gum arabic production has provided smallholders with incomes, soil fertility improvements and other advantages for generations, but for a number of reasons changes are taking place in production, which can be detrimental if no other alternatives exist. The methods in this thesis involve a multi-level analysis from international to local level analysing both indirect and direct driving forces of production. An interdisciplinary approach is applied combining different theoretical frameworks and integrating the results from both remote sensing and interviews. The results showed that the indirect driving forces, operating at international, national and regional levels, related to the economic and political causes: international demand and national gum prices, and the environmental causes: drought, precipitation and pests. The severe drought in 1984 caused an eventdriven change that lead to a discontinuation of production in some parts, which was one of the reasons for regional differences in production. The direct driving forces, operating at a local level, related to the way in which input of labour and resources was prioritised between the main livelihoods: gum arabic, crops, off-farm activities and livestock. Results from the local level revealed that incomes from off-farm activities increased, as in many other parts of Africa, during the last decades. Livestock was found to be diffi cult to combine with gum arabic production since they damage the trees. A study of very high resolution satellite images showed that the cultivated land per capita had decreased since the end of the 1960s. No increase in yields took place, according to interviews, and therefore a production per capita decline was concluded. The image classifi cation was based on an object-oriented approach with high accuracy and the approach can therefore be an alternative for regional land use studies. The relations between gum arabic, crops, off-farm activities and livestock are complex and, for example, depend on labour division within households. In conclusion, both direct and indirect driving forces of gum arabic production are recognised, but the direct causes, taking into account the constraint and opportunities of households, are emphasised. Gum arabic production can play a part in rural development in these parts of Sudan, but the challenge is also to acknowledge the diversity and dynamics of other livelihoods.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Elmqvist, Bodil, et al.
(author)
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The possibilities of bush fallows with changing roles of agriculture - An analysis combining remote sensing and interview data from Sudanese drylands
- 2007
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In: Journal of Arid Environments. - : Elsevier BV. - 1095-922X .- 0140-1963. ; 70:2, s. 329-343
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The lengths of fallows have decreased in many parts of the Sahel due to agricultural expansion, which can have negative impacts on crop production when few other ways to improve soil fertility exist. However, the dynamics of agricultural expansion may change because of the changing role of agriculture in society due to increased livelihood diversification outside of agriculture. The results of this study, which combine very high resolution satellite images and interview data, show that the role of agriculture has changed in parts of central Sudan since the crop production per capita declined substantially during the past three decades. It is argued that this decline is linked to the increase in incomes from off-farm activities during the same period. The reduced role of agriculture implies that the majority of households have more than half of the land lying in fallow; however the amount of fallow land per household varies considerably. This has specific value for the debate about Acacia senegal bush fallows in Sudan since with respect to the availability of land, a potential for these fallows was shown.
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| 9. |
- Pendleton, Hillevi, et al.
(author)
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Posterior laryngitis: a disease with different aetiologies affecting health-related quality of life:a prospective case–control study
- 2013
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In: BMC Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1472-6815. ; 13:11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Laryngo-pharyngeal reflux (LPR) is assumed to be the most common cause of posterior laryngitis (PL). Since LPR is found in healthy subjects, and PL patients are not improved by acid-reducing therapy, other aetiologies to PL must be considered. The aims of this study in PL were to investigate the prevalence of acid reflux in the proximal oesophagus and functional gastrointestinal symptoms, to analyse motilin levels in plasma, and to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) before and after treatment. Methods: Forty-six patients (26 women), with verified PL, median age 55 (IQR 41–68) years, were referred to oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy and 24-h pH monitoring. Plasma motilin was analysed. The 36-item Short-Form questionnaire was completed at inclusion and at follow-up after 43±14 months, when also the Visual Analogue Scale for Irritable Bowel Syndrome was completed. Values were compared to controls. Treatment and relief of symptoms were noted from medical records. Results: Thirty-four percent had proximal acid reflux and 40% showed signs of distal reflux. Ninety-four percent received acid-reducing treatment, with total relief of symptoms in 17%. Patients with reflux symptoms had lower plasma motilin levels compared to patients without reflux symptoms (p = 0.021). The HRQOL was impaired at inclusion, but improved over time. Patients, especially men, had more functional gastrointestinal symptoms than controls. Conclusions: This study indicates that a minority of patients with PL has LPR and is cured by acid-reducing therapy. Disturbed plasma motilin levels and presence of functional gastrointestinal symptoms are found in PL. The impaired HRQOL improves over time.
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| 10. |
- Pendleton, Hillevi, et al.
(author)
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Posterior laryngitis: a study of persisting symptoms and health-related quality of life.
- 2013
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In: European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0937-4477 .- 1434-4726. ; 270:1, s. 187-195
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Posterior laryngitis is a common cause of chronic cough, hoarseness, voice fatigue and throat pain. The aim of the present study was to examine how patients with posterior laryngitis have been examined, treated and followed up, and to assess their present health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Patients treated for posterior laryngitis at consultation at the ear-, nose- and throat clinic during 2000-2008 were contacted by mail. The letter contained questionnaires addressing the current symptoms and medication, and the HRQOL 36-item short-form questionnaire (SF-36). Medical records were scrutinized. One hundred and twenty-two patients with verified signs and symptoms of posterior laryngitis were included. Forty percent of the patients had been treated for acid-related symptoms prior to consultation. The most common symptoms at the time of consultation were the sensation of hoarseness (women 40 %, men 37 %), globus (women 35 %, men 33 %) and cough (women 33 %, men 26 %). The most frequent diagnosis was gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Ninety percent of the women and 92 % of the men were treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). At the time of study, 63 % of the patients still had symptoms. The results of the SF-36 questionnaire showed significantly lower HRQOL for women. Patients with posterior laryngitis present varying symptoms, and are often not adequately treated or followed up. When PPI treatment fails, other aetiologies of their complaints, such as visceral hypersensitivity, weakly gaseous acid reflux or non-acid reflux are not considered. Symptoms from posterior laryngitis have a negative impact on the HRQOL for women.
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