Science Faculty Magazine no 1 2018 - English by Faculty of Science - University of Gothenburg

Faculty of Science 1 | 2018

SCIENCE FACULTY M

Can new food from the ocean solve future food crisis? RESEARCH

The Earth’s species are disappearing at an ever-increasing rate RESEARCH

RESEARCH USING NEW TECHNOLOGY

Discovers unknown Antarctica

EDITORIAL SCIENCE FACULTY MAGAZINE Science Faculty Magazine is for those interested in the University of Gothenburg and in particular the work at the Faculty of Science.

EDITOR Camilla Persson +46-31-786 9869 camilla.persson@science.gu.se

EDITORIAL STAFF Cecilia Andersson Edwall Albin Dahlin Carina Eliasson Tanja Thompson

PUBLISHER

Gustav Bertilsson Uleberg

LAYOUT

Camilla Persson

COVER

Antarctica Photo: Johan Rolandsson

ADDRESS

University of Gothenburg Faculty Office of Science Box 460 405 30 Göteborg Sweden E-mail: info@science.gu.se

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ONLINE MAGAZINE

www.sciencefacultymagazine.com

We hope you will enjoy this glance into the Faculty of Science. The Science Faculty Magazine’s target group ranges from Faculty staff and alumni to business and industry, public actors and politicians with an interest in mathematics and the natural sciences.

he United Nations Sustainable Development Goals once again serve as our point of departure. This issue focuses on goals 14 and 15, which deal with conserving and making use of the oceans, seas and marine resources as well as halting the loss of biodiversity.

THERE IS A GREAT INTEREST in sustainability issues among our students, and that bodes well for the future. Among other things, they are trying to breathe new life into the “Science Students for Sustainability” association. Gullmarsgymnasiet in Lysekil also is focusing on advanced placement in marine biology. Along with researchers at Kristineberg, students are able to participate in field work and research projects. Kristineberg is in the process of being developed into a research and innovation centre where external actors also are active. Read more about it in the column. UNIVERSITIES HAVE A long-term responsibility for educating tomorrow’s researchers and innovators in sustainability. We also have a responsibility to provide science-based information for decisionmakers. An example that is described in this issue is a Nordic collaboration on a master’s programme on biodiversity. The programme is open to all students and provides an interdisciplinary understanding of biodiversity and systematics. This kind of knowledge will come in handy in places like the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and museums or in research. New research specialisations also are being integrated after the fact in programmes to prepare students for the future. A HOT TOPIC TODAY is the impact microplastics are having in nature. How microplastics affect animals and people is not clear, and more research is needed. One problem is that microplastics can become carriers of toxic substances and end up in the food chain

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NYHETER and reach humans. However, plastic is good in many ways, and it’s important to find a balance between its effective use and environmental concerns. SEVERAL ARTICLES SHED LIGHT ON opportunities to utilise marine resources for food, which also connects to goal 2: zero hunger. We can become better at using different types of marine organisms for food and do so sustainably. The ability to “grow” seafood would be one possible way to go, and much research and development is being done in the field. For example, researchers at Tjärnö are collaborating with the maritime cluster in western Sweden to investigate the possibility of using unconventional organisms as food.

How does the ocean’s nurseries affect the climate?

THIS ISSUE DESCRIBES how permafrost is disappea-

ring and how this accentuates global warming. Higher temperatures in turn affect biodiversity, with consequences that are difficult to foresee. New reports on biodiversity paint a gloomy picture, and it’s important that we contribute in every way we can with knowledge about these processes, both through research and in the education of tomorrow’s decisionmakers.

Plastic and chemicals – how much can we tolerate?

He teaches young people to take responsibility for the sea

REPHOTOGRAPHY IS DESCRIBED AS a way to place scientific investigations in a social and historical context. Old photos are used in combination with newly taken pictures from the same sites to chronicle the climate’s impact on the environment. This research also shows the importance of digitising old works and photographs. Today there is a whole new opportunity to link past and present to understand the historical contexts. SPRING IS HERE, and we can look forward to a

pleasant summer, with time for rest and reflection, so read and marvel at the wonderful world of science. And now, I pass the baton with the best of wishes to the new management of the faculty and look forward to reading future issues of Science Faculty Magazine.

Elisabet Ahlberg, dean

Is aquaculture the solution SCIENCE FACULTY to the future foodMAGAZINE crisis?MAY 2018

THE RESEARCHER

From snow and ice to soil and plants Mats Björkman received his doctorate in snow chemistry, but as a permafrost researcher, he has continued in considerably darker shades. As a Marie Curie research fellow at the University of Gothenburg, he is conducting research on what happens to the environment when the permafrost in the north melts. “The first time I rode off to get muddy samples, I decided to never work with permafrost”, says Mats Björkman. “It was so gooey.”

ut fate decreed otherwise. Because of his partner and child, a postdoctoral position in Gothenburg involving permafrost research suited him better than staying in Norway, where he received his doctorate. Permafrost means that the ground is completely frozen all the way through. This constant ground frost, the result of temperatures below freezing for at least two years, can be up to 600 metres deep and is most widely distributed in the Arctic tundra. But in the northernmost parts of Sweden, there are patches of permafrost in areas extending for miles and miles. In research lingo, this is called discontinuous permafrost.

IT TAKES A LONG time to melt permafrost. Usually only the very top layer of soil and peat melts during summers, making it possible for the tundra’s low-growing and fragile vegetation to survive. But as the climate becomes warmer, the permafrost underneath melts, and it is that period after the melting that Mats and his team are researching. They want to determine how the ecosystem

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is affected during the period when permafrost vanishes as well as the following years when the permafrost is completely gone. “Nobody knows exactly what is going to happen with biodiversity”, says Mats, “because until now there has been a lack of long-term studies of ground that had previously been permafrost.” RESEARCHERS ARE WELL aware that increa-

singly large areas of permafrost are disappearing and that this in turn affects vegetation. One person who has been investigating climate change and permafrost for a long time is Ulf Molau, professor of plant ecology at the University of Gothenburg. Based on Ulf’s research, Mats has identified three areas near Abisko that previously had been permafrost, which he is investigating further. Mats was surprised at how much change has taken place just 10 years after Molau’s studies. He almost wondered if there were errors in the measurements, but this was not the case. “This is beginning to be scary. The effect

Mats Björkman Age: 39 Family: Partner with two children, 2 and 4 years Place of residence: Kålltorp Occupation: EU researcher Leasure interests: ”I like jogging but these days I don’t get out much.” Happiest when: ”I’m in the outdoors, for example, when I’m camping with the family or working on a research assignment, and everything works the way it should and I can sit back and enjoy a cup of tea.” Unexpected talent: ”I can sew. And previously I was good at dancing tango.”

of climate change is clearly evident, not so much here but in the Arctic, where we can see the extreme effects as warm temperatures are transported northwards from here. The average temperature in Svalbard has been above normal for the last five years. In the areas we’re investigating, it’s getting to be a problem for the local population, such as reindeer husbandry for the Sami.” THIS SUMMER MATS, along with students and field assistants, is traveling northwards for the third year in a row. They will move between the three areas, performing plant inventories, taking soil samples and measuring carbon dioxide and methane flows, which indicate how the ecosystem has been affected. “Climate change is apparent, and for me it creates a kind of ethical dilemma that is difficult to tackle. With the knowledge I have, I should definitely stop using fossil fuels, while at the same time, I’m dependent on plane and helicopter transport to do my job.”

In a year, his Marie Curie project is to be completed, and it’s hoped that the project will result in two or three scientific articles, an EU report and maybe some side projects. “I’ve considered preparing educational materials, such as films or teaching materials, to spread the research results even more, but it’s not so easy to do it well. What’s most meaningful is when I have students and see that they understand what I’m talking about.” THE PERMAFROST RESEARCH will continue

with funding that Mats already has been granted by the Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning (Formas). He doesn’t know what comes next. “In five years I hope to have a permanent position or a position where I don’t always have to go and think about how I’ll be able to finance my salary for the next two years.” TEXT CECILIA ANDERSSON EDWALL PHOTO JOHAN WINGBORG

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New tools are revolutionising

polar resear More than a hundred years ago, Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen won the race to be the first to reach the South Pole. “The main difference between Antarctic research today and a hundred years ago is that the expeditions no longer involve risking one’s life. In the past explorers could die out there in the field”, says polar researcher Anna Wåhlin.

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hat’s what happened in the winter of 1912 during the Terra Nova expedition. English Captain Robert Scott, who had already participated in a number of Antarctic expeditions and was predicted to be the first to reach the South Pole, died after great difficulties on 30 March. His rival, Roald Amundsen, returned to Norway as the first to reach the southernmost point on Earth. “A hundred years ago Antarctica was really an unexplored region on the map. Now we know much more about the conditions there”, says Anna Wåhlin, professor of oceanography. Together with research colleague Sebastiaan Swart, we talk about how technology in polar research has evolved over the years. “There has been almost exponential growth in how we researchers collect data and the quality of that data. Today we can measure much more than we could just a couple of decades ago”, says Sebastiaan. WHEN A RESEARCH SHIP left Cape Town headed towards Antarctica 10 years ago, only about 30 ocean samples were collected along the way, and at great cost. “The exponential growth we have achieved through automation and use of underwater robots yields not only tens of thousands more measurements in the area, but it also gives us continuous measurements throughout the year”, Sebastiaan continues. “Previously, we were limited to the summer and had no idea what was happening in the other seasons, especially in winter. What has happened in the last five years is a revolution in maritime observations.” One of the explanations for this progress is underwater vehicle – that is, unmanned robots that chart the ocean beneath the surface. Via satellites, the vehicles send information such as water flow velocity, temperature and salt and carbon dioxide content. AN IMPORTANT GOAL with data from underwater vehicles is understanding the interactions that exist between the Antarctic Ocean and the Earth’s climate and how they affect each other. The insufficient knowledge in these matters is one of the biggest uncertainties in current climate projections. “We must not forget the international Argo network, with more than 3,000 buoys floating in the

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ocean and continuously taking measurements and collecting data”, Anna Wåhlin says. “The difference is large compared to the infancy of polar research, when a researcher lowered a bottle into ocean water, fished it up, measured the temperature with a thermometer and recorded the results on a slip of paper.” WITH UNDERWATER ROBOTS, it’s possible to

get below the glaciers. This summer the University of Gothenburg is getting its first large autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) at just over seven metres long. But the smaller versions of underwater robots, ocean gliders, have already been tested. During an expedition to Antarctica last winter, researchers used a fleet of five such gliders. “The Antarctic continent doubles in size during the winter season. We plan to send gliders under the ocean ice this year, or by next year at the latest, and for the first time we’re hoping to get measurements under ice in wintertime in the Antarctic Ocean”, Sebastiaan says. With the help of the five gliders that were used during the winter expedition, researchers discovered new processes in the ocean that they didn’t know about before and that could not have been detected without the new technology. For example, they learned that

With underwater robots, it’s possible to get below the glaciers. The smaller ver Swart (right).

the phytoplankton in the ocean absorb more carbon dioxide than previously thought. “We saw that the plankton grew for one to two months longer than we had thought”, says Sebastiaan. THE RESEARCHERS FOUND that there are lots of small vortices in the Antarctic Ocean, approximately 10 kilometres in width. This is an important discovery because currents and ocean vortices change the physics of the ocean and affect how much heat the ocean can absorb. “The deep sea functions as heat storage for the globe. If that heat were released, the Earth would become uninhabitable. Viewed from that perspective, the ocean is very important in reducing heat”, says Sebastiaan. What polar researchers in the past and today have in common is that things don’t always turn out as planned.

“A hundred years ago Antarctica was really an unexplored region on the map. Now we know much more about the conditions there”, says Anna Wåhlin, professor of oceanography.

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rsions, ocean gliders, have already been tested by South African Sebastiaan

RESEARCHER THOMAS DAHLGREN, recently

en route to the Antarctic with a British research expedition to study small animals under glacier ice, had to turn back because they encountered too much pack ice on the way. “But even if we didn’t get all the way, I obtained good samples of the animals that live on the bottom of the Weddell Sea, a sea that borders the Antarctic Ocean”, Thomas Dahlgren said on a crackly phone line from Port Stanley. LITTLE IS KNOWN about the shallow part of

the Weddell Sea due to the extent of the large mass of ice. “We got truly unique samples of animal life from the bottoms there, including many completely unknown species.” Thomas and research colleague Adrian Glover now have 300 containers with samples of millimetre-size animals. All of them have been photographed while still alive. And with new DNA technology, scientists can obtain information such as how big the

populations have been historically and how different areas have been isolated from each other. Such data can be used to understand the extent of ice in the past. “Identification of animal life is as important as surveying ocean bottoms or mineral deposits. Knowledge about animals and about their DNA can be used in many ways, such as to study the effects of climate change. Through knowledge of animal life, we can also find out what the environment looked like around Antarctica in historic times and gain new knowledge about how serious today’s climate change is for ice in the Antarctic”, Thomas says. What will be the repercussions when floating glaciers melt and disappear at an accelerating rate? “It appears that warm water from the deep sea is what is melting the ice from below. I’m collaborating with Anna Waddell on this issue. We’re attacking the problem from two different directions, where I’m using animal life in an attempt to understand what’s happening with the climate”, Thomas says. TEXT CARINA ELIASSON PHOTO JOHAN WINGBORG, SEBASTIAAN SWART, THOMAS DAHLGREN

Too much pack ice prevented Thomas Dahlgren and his colleagues from reaching Antartica during this spring’s expedition. But he still was able to bring home unique samples.

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Tyrone Martinsson on Svalbard. Photo: Peter Johansson

The camera chronicles changes in the Arctic

The melting of ice in the Arctic has increased rapidly in recent years, and glaciers in several areas are disappearing. The scientific findings are clear, but it can be difficult to get an overview of the drastic changes that are going on. Photographer Tyrone Martinsson at Valand Academy uses rephotography to create a narrative of what’s happening in the Arctic.

n rephotography, researchers use historical photos of specific places as a basis for going out in the field and locating the sites where they were taken. At the site new photos are then taken, and by comparing them with the historical ones, it’s possible to create a picture of how the site has changed over time. “Basically, I’m interested in how photographic images can be used in matters that affect people in relation to the environment”, says Tyrone Martinsson.

HE’S A SENIOR LECTURER in photography at the University of Gothenburg and has wholeheartedly devoted himself to a field called environmental photography. In recent years he has conducted research in the Svalbard Islands, where he used rephotographic methods based on pictures taken in 1896 by the scientist Nils Strindberg. Swedish photography on Svalbard began in 1861, and the photos from the early polar expeditions constitute a valuable archive for studying

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changes over a period of time. In one of Tyrone’s research projects, which resulted in the book Frusna Ögonblick (Frozen Moments), he looked for old polar photos and digitised them to visually document developments there. MUCH OF Tyrone’s work has involved fin-

ding the places on Svalbard that Strindberg photographed. It has been a rather exacting task because the views have changed. If you look at a photo taken by Strindberg in the 19th century, it’s difficult to recognise where it was taken. “There was a lot of ice at the time, and the photos don’t resemble how the site looks today at all. The large glaciers have changed, and the small glaciers that existed then are completely gone.” EVEN DURING THE RELATIVELY short time Tyrone worked at Svalbard, he has been able to see how the landscape and glaciers have changed. He has worked together with

Rephotography chronicles how a site changes over a period of time. The upper photo was taken in 1930 by Carl Müller & Sohn. The lower photo by Tyrone Martinsson is from 2016.

glaciologists who helped him to interpret the landscape and find explanations for various changes. For example, there are melting glaciers that undergo change for reasons other than climate. By working together, it has been possible to construct long narratives that also make it possible to see where we are headed. TYRONE CURRENTLY is working on a project called “The long narrative”. It’s a tool for studying the Magdalene Fjord on Svalbard that is based on visual documentation extending 200 years back in time. The material

makes it possible to recreate what the site looked like in the mid-1800s and at the same time convey what it looks like today. IN SEVERAL CONTEXTS Tyrone has worked

to create interdisciplinary collaboration and meetings that transcend disciplinary boundaries. Collaboration between photography, art and science is something that interests him. “Many of the best discussions I’ve had about photography I’ve had with scientists in the field.” TEXT ALBIN DAHLIN PHOTO TYRONE MARTINSSON

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NEWS

New book on the role of church buildings What’s going to happen to our churches? Congregations of the Church of Sweden own more churches than they need. Each year churches are deconsecrated; some are put in mothballs in anticipation of better times, and others are sold or rebuilt. Similar changes are taking place throughout Western Europe. A new book from the University of Gothenburg sheds light on contemporary and future

challenges for the Church of Sweden’s church buildings. “Many people who never go to church still think the buildings themselves are important. That’s interesting. What’s this attitude based on and why does it persist? These are questions we’re trying to sort out in the anthology”, says Eva Löfgren, senior lecturer of conservation and one of the authors behind the book.

The plastics industry is leaking huge amounts of microplastics Millions of plastic pellets are leaking out into the environment from a manufacturing site in Stenungsund. This has been shown by a new study conducted by researchers at the University of Gothenburg. Despite several international and national

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sets of regulatory frameworks, the leaking continues. Small plastic pellets are used as raw materials. The pellets are shipped from the manufacturing site to different plants where they are used in production of various types of plastic goods.

The research team’s calculations show that continuous leakage leads to between 3 and 36 million plastic pellets spreading from the Stenungsund production site every year. “In order to better understand how plastic pellets end up in the environment, we have documented, measured and calculated the flows of the pellets via waterways leading out from the production and distribution plants in Stenungsund where approximately five percent of the polyethene that is used in Europe is produced,” says professor Martin Hassellöv.

NEWS

History holds clues to the future distribution of species

Photo: Tonje K Sørdalen

Wrasse on the lam Wrasse are being caught and sold alive to salmon farms to combat salmon lice. Now wrasse are escaping from fish farms, which could have major implications for local fish populations, according to new research. Many wrasse eat parasites and clean other fish. Salmon farms in Norway and Great Britain use various species of wrasse, especially Symphodus doderleini, to combat salmon lice. One of the most commonly used species is the corkwing wrasse. But now wrasse are escaping from the Norwegian salmon farms. Well outside the farms, they spawn with fish from local populations, and as a result, their offspring will be hybrids between fish from the Skagerrak and Trøndelag, according to new research published in Royal Society Open Science. “More than a third of the examined fish proved to be escapees or offspring from escapees”, says Ellika Faust, a doctoral student in conservation economics.

Student survey reveals high amounts of plastic in freshwater High concentrations of microplastics are present not only in the sea, but also in freshwater. This was revealed in a study of the river Viskan by geoscience students Duncan van‘t Land and Oscar Robertsson carried out during the autumn of 2017. “The high content of plastic in Öresjön lake was surprising and may be due to fallout from the atmosphere”, Duncan van‘t Land says.

Species range shifts in mammals must be analysed in light of both global warming and human activity. This is the conclusion of the researchers behind a new study published in Nature Climate Change that investigates the distribution of mammalian species in North America. “We saw that it is impossible to fully estimate the effects of global warming on large mammals in North America without taking into account the human activity that affects the species,” says Sören Faurby.

Soils respond differently to warming As the climate becomes warmer, there is also an increased risk that soils releasing carbon, will become something of a “carbon bomb” and further accelerate global warming. But new research reveals that the effect varies with different types of soil. “Our study doesn’t change the fact that certain soils emit carbon when the climate becomes warmer, but the correlation between carbon in the ground and warming is complicated. It varies from one location to another and between different soils, says Louise C. Andresen.

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What happens to the climate if the ocean's forests disappear? Eutrophication, trawling, big storms and a warmer ocean. There are various factors that threaten the seagrass beds outside East Africa’s coast. “If the seagrass beds disappear, it could have major consequences for the Earth’s climate”, says climatologist Hans Linderholm.

hat deforestation of forests releases large quantities of carbon dioxide that accentuates the greenhouse effect is something we’ve known for a long time. But what happens to the climate if the ocean’s forests – seagrass beds — disappear? That’s what climatologist Hans Linderholm and his colleagues want to find out in a major research project in East Africa. PREVIOUS RESEARCH HAS focused on what

is happening to seagrass when the climate changes. What’s unique about this project is that the researchers have turned the question around and instead are studying the effect seagrass beds have on the environment. “We have quantified how much carbon is sequestered in seagrass beds outside Tanzania, Mozambique and Madagascar”, says Hans Linderholm. “If the carbon is released in the form of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which takes place if the seagrass disappears, it could potentially con-

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tribute to accentuating the greenhouse effect quite substantially.” THE SEAGRASS BEDS OUTSIDE East Africa’s

coasts are partly threatened by climate change. A warmer ocean can have a negative impact on seagrass, large storms create enormous waves that tear the beds apart and heavy rainfall causes torrents of sediment to gush into the sea from the land. This has an impact on seagrass beds through greater amounts of nutrients that lead to eutrophication, increased sedimentation and thereby a reduction in available light. Seagrass also is affected adversely by bottom trawling, dredging and indirectly by overfishing as well as increased tourism, which can lead to removal of seagrass to create good swimming beaches at new hotels. “The beds are indeed an important ecosystem. They’re commonly referred to as the ocean’s nurseries. But they’re also important as carbon sinks”, says Hans. “Up to now

TEMA

TELLUS – JORDEN VI ÄRVDE

The East Africa project in brief

“If we lose faith in the future, nobody will have the energy to make decisions about changing our lifestyle.”

East Africa has been an unexplored region regarding this type of studies. Our research will be an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to running models for the various factors that affect the climate globally.”

Name: Assessment of carbon sequestering capacity in East African seagrass ecosystems affected by multiple stressors in a changing climate and Improving the understanding of carbon storage and sequestration and ecosystem services of blue forests: analysis of carbon flux in degraded seagrass beds. Number of researchers involved: Three senior researchers plus several postdocs, doctoral students, master’s and undergraduate students. Ongoing since: 2011. Funders: Sida and Global Environmental Facilities, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), United Nations Environment Programme.

perspective. In addition to the ecological and economic importance in the region, I wanted to take a broader approach and see how seagrass beds affect climate globally.” WORKING TOGETHER, MEMBERS of the re-

WHAT ALSO MAKES the project unusual is the

way ecologists, physiologists and climatologists are working closely together. Besides Hans Linderholm, who is a climatologist and a professor of physical geography in Gothenburg, the project is being run by two researchers at Stockholm University: Associate Professor Martin Gullström and Professor Mats Björk. The two Stockholmbased researchers had conducted research in this area in East Africa for two decades when Hans Linderholm entered the picture almost eight years ago. “They had studied the seagrass beds in East Africa based on a number of ecological and physiological issues. I thought it would be exciting to study the beds in a larger

search team have collected large amounts of field data along the eastern coasts of Africa for a number of years. The collection of data is now concluded, and what remains is performing calculations to get real numbers on the seagrass beds’ climate impact and how average temperatures could be affected if the carbon in the beds is released. HANS LINDERHOLM USUALLY works in a

mountainous environment, where he takes samples of trees to study regional climate fluctuations in Europe and Asia from about 2,000 years back in time to the next 100 years. Working underwater was a completely new experience. “It’s been really exciting to study marine

ecosystems. And challenging. It’s not always the easiest environment to work in. You dive with air tanks and have oxygen for only a certain amount of time, you have to take account of tides and currents and aggressive animals can crop up at times. Sharks, for example.” HANS HAS NOT ENCOUNTERED any sharks,

however, although he was told that tiger sharks sometimes swim up the river channels, jump up and seize prey going along the water’s edge right where he has stood, taking samples of mangrove trees. “On the first day you might be a little nervous, but then you relax. You get so caught up in what you’re doing that you forget to keep a lookout”, he notes. Although environmental pollution and the ravages of humans have caused some damage to seagrass beds in East Africa, as in other parts of the world, Hans doesn’t want to take a dark view of the future. He feels that once problems are identified, it’s important to focus on solutions.

“If we lose faith in the future, nobody will have the energy to make decisions about changing our lifestyle. We have to concentrate on the opportunities and what can be done.” Consequently, Hans and his colleagues are keen on involving the local populace in the places where their study has been carried out. “We have a lot of discussions with the villagers. We must find solutions tailored for the population that involve the residents and make them feel that new methods of fishing, for example, actually benefit them in the long run.” THE PROJECT HAS ALSO caused ripples because it has been partially conducted in collaboration with students and researchers in a Sida-funded bilateral programme in Tanzania. “Many of the students are already working in government agencies or within academia in Tanzania and are learning things during their education that can be of direct benefit in their daily work. That’s incredibly valuable.” TEXT KARIN FREJRUD PHOTO HANS LINDERHOLM

Hans Linderholm Age: 49 Occupation: Climatologist, professor of physical geography at the University of Gothenburg. Place of residence: Torslanda Family: Wife and three boys. Research: Studies regional climate variations and their links to the large-scale circulation in the atmosphere and the oceans in the northern hemisphere, from about 2000 years back in time to the next 100 years. Also studies the effects of a changing climate on marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Current: In the final phase of the major project in East Africa, which is investigating the climate impact of seagrass beds. Hans Linderholm takes samples of mangrove trees.

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Air pollution kills millions Air quality in congested cities like New Delhi and Bombay is definitely bad. But the levels of air pollution in the Indian countryside are also high. “Air pollution has a significant impact on our lives. It’s not only a health risk, but also affects the availability of water and the quality of our crops”, says Senior Lecturer Ravi Kant Pathak.

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ndia is a hotspot for air pollution, and not just in the big cities. Just over a year ago, the University of Gothenburg established a research station in the area known as the Indo-Gangetic Plain, which extends from Pakistan and the northern parts of India to Bangladesh along the Ganges River. About 700 million people live in the area, many of them in the countryside, where they earn a living as farmers.

THE CAUSE OF THE poor air quality in the

Indo-Gangetic Plain area is, above all, the widespread burning of biofuel. To cook and heat their homes during the winter, the people here burn firewood, coal, cow manure and other biofuels. The concentrations of pollutants such as soot, atmospheric brown carbon and ozone are just as high in the Indian countryside as in populous Beijing. That has a great impact on the people who live there. “Air pollution is one of the most lethal threats to people on Earth. Each year eight million people die prematurely after being exposed to air pollution indoors and outdoors”, says Ravi Kant Pathak.

He is a senior lecturer at the University of Gothenburg, with responsibility for work at the research station in northern India. Part of the work consists of collecting and analysing data on air quality in the area. Another part concerns informing and educating local communities to increase understanding of the problem and together find solutions. The University of Gothenburg operates the station but collaborates with local organisations in the area and with other higher education institutions and international partners. “Air quality is not just a national issue, it affects all of us. Air pollutants, which are transported over long distances in the atmosphere, don’t recognise any national

The Gothenburg Air and Climate Centre and IGP-Care The Gothenburg Air and Climate Centre (GAC) is a centre for atmosphere-related research in the region. The centre promotes greater collaboration and better coordination of resources and activities and includes approximately 150 members who are working on atmosphere-related issues. The research station IGP-Care, IndoGangetic Plains Centre For Air Research and Education is situated in the northern parts of India.  igpcare.in 18

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borders. We are now trying, with the help of our own research and that of others, to show how this type of pollution can be avoided.” AIR POLLUTANTS AFFECT not only our health because of the dangerous particles we inhale. They also affect the climate, which indirectly affects our health. For example, air pollution has an influence on cloud formation, which means that precipitation is affected. In addition, emissions of air pollutants cause ozone to be formed, which can damage crops. “In a region where many people support themselves by farming, this can be catastrophic”, says Ravi. Another important aspect of air pollution is the gender perspective. In poorer areas it is mainly women who prepare food over an open fire – a fire that directly affects their health. Women are at risk of premature death to a greater extent due to the health hazards from pollutants from fires, which also has an impact on their small children. “The next generation is affected by air pollution even before starting to walk.” IN SWEDEN WE BURN wood, too, and

according to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, our wood fires cause the premature death of about 1,000 people each year. Ravi Pathak believes that wood burning will become more common in Sweden, since our goal is to increase the share of renewable energy sources and reduce fossil fuels by the year 2030. But the question is what then happens to air quality in Sweden? “We will be able to use the results from the Indo-Gangetic Plain area to predict how air quality will be affected in Sweden if wood burning increases, and what impact this will have on people here.”

Air quality PM2.5 is particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns and that has clear links to our health, both long and short term. In the Indo-Gangetic Plain area, PM2.5 levels of 300 mg/m³ have been measured during wintertime, compared to an environmental quality standard in Sweden of 25 micrograms/m³. Black carbon is made up of dark particles formed during incomplete combustion. For example, when burning wood or in diesel engines. Like other particles, black carbon has proven to have strong links to adverse health effects. Black carbon also has light-absorbing properties. As a result, black carbon in the atmosphere has a warming effect that drives the greenhouse effect. So it is important to reduce black carbon emissions both from the point of view of health and to reduce the climate impact. (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency)

TEXT CAMILLA PERSSON PHOTO SHUTTERSTOCK&RAVI KANT PATHAK

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For equal opp A network that can provide role models, facts and support – that was the goal when Anne Farewell and some friends started an association for women in natural science research.

he idea behind the Gothenburg Women Scientists network is to reinforce women in academia. “If there are no women who are teaching and conducting research, there are no role models for students. It becomes a vicious circle”, maintains Anne Farewell, initiator of the network and a researcher in molecular biology. She wants to encourage women to study, conduct research and teach in the natural sciences. “In the last 15 years gender equality in academia has become worse”, Anne says. “When I was young, there were many female researchers, and the trend was towards greater equality in academia. Now it’s different. There are still many female researchers, but only two female professors in the department” (Editor’s note: approximately 30 male professors).

WHILE AT THE UNDERGRADUATE level there are more women than men, the opposite is true at the research and professorial level. Many women leave academia, and Anne has asked herself why. “Why are we losing half of our capacity? When young, talented women leave the university, there are perhaps many reasons, and we should find out more about that. We are researchers after all and want to collect data”, Anne says.

One of the new members of the network is doctoral student Michelle Lindström. “It’s sad to say, but it has become even clearer now, after the ‘me too’ movement, that there are inequality problems in all the nooks and crannies of society, including within academia”, Michelle says. SHE IS PART OF A group within the network that is going to collect data and examine statistics and research on gender equality in academia. They want to know how things stand with gender equality – whether there are differences among countries, cities or higher education institutions – and so they want to interview women who have left academia. “It’s important to have facts and shed light on structural gender equality problems. That the university takes it seriously so that it’s discussed and doesn’t become something that is taboo. If there is an interest group, faster progress can be made”, says Michelle. “I’m also interested in working with mentorship. Women in science need to have role models and feel that they are welcome. Sparking girls’ interest in science while they’re in school is also an important part of the work.” IT HAS NOW BEEN a little more than a year

since Anne Farewell heard about a network for female researchers, 500 Women Scien-

ortunities tists, in its founding country, the United States. “In my opinion, the problems are greater here than in the U.S.”, Anne Farewell says. When Anne talked about the U.S. network with female colleagues, she was surprised that so many people were interested. There seemed to be a pent-up demand.

Gender equality in academia Despite the fact that there are far more women than men among students, it is still more common for a professor to be a man than a woman. At the same time, in certain areas within universities and university colleges, women are more dominate, while other areas men are more dominant. In 2016–2017 the Swedish Secretariat for Gender Research was tasked with serving as a support function for higher education institutions within the framework of the Gender Mainstreaming in Higher Education (JiHU) project. In 2013–2017, the secretariat had another similar government assignment to serve as a support function for 60 government agencies, within the framework of Gender Mainstreaming in Government Agencies (JiM). The JiHU and JiM assignments were transferred to the Gender Equality Authority on 1 January 2018. (Swedish Secretariat for Gender Research)

GOTHENBURG WOMAN SCIENTISTS is not an

isolated phenomenon. Several similar organisations also exist to support women within other occupational groups. Scientists are considering becoming part of a larger organisation, such as the International Women’s Club, and welcome different perspectives and collaborations. In recent years Anne Farewell has reconsidered her view of quotas. She has previously been completely opposed to them, but now she can see them as a path to greater gender equality. Personally, she’s pleased that during her professional life, she has been allowed to do what she thinks is most enjoyable, namely to conduct research and teach. “But I’ve experienced uncertainty, too. I have not always been satisfied. I believe it will be better if we women are prepared. Then we can tackle obstacles and uncertainty better.”

Professors at universities and university colleges in 2016 4 813 74%

1 718 26%

Source: SCB/Swedish Higher Education Authority

TEXT CECILIA ANDERSSON EDWALL ILLUSTRATION ERIKA HOFF

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NYHETER

Plastic and chemicals – how much can we tolerate?

Plast och kemikalier Researchers are unanimous: the biggest threat when it comes to microplastics and chemicals is a lack of knowledge. There is no overview of all chemical substances, how they interact and how they affect human health and the environment.

hat is the state of research today regarding plastics and chemicals? What are the threats and opportunities? We’ve asked some people who have researched chemicals and plastics in our environment for a long time: Bethanie Carney Almroth, senior lecturer in animal physiology, and Thomas Backhaus, professor of ecotoxicology. Thomas Backhaus also heads FRAM, the Research Centre for Future Chemical Risk Assessment and Management Strategies, which promotes sustainable use of chemicals.

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– hur mycket tål vi och vår omgivning? Both agree that there is still too little knowledge about chemicals and microplastics and that we lack a comprehensive picture of the situation. The number of new substances and fields of application is increasing all the time, and there is a continuing race against time to map out the use of chemicals and their properties and effects. “We’re talking about thousands of chemicals, and new ones are added constantly. All are not dangerous, but some are”, says Bethanie Carney Almroth, who is studying the effects of microplastics on fish.

Plastics in the sea is a hot topic now, and something that the public has taken seriously. In July 2018 a new ban on microplastics in certain cosmetic products is being imposed, and many hope this is the beginning of a more comprehensive ban. Bethanie points out that although knowledge of microplastics has markedly increased, much more research on how plastic affects us and ecosystems is still needed. IN THE MANUFACTURE of plastic, various

substances are added, such as stabilisers, plasticisers, bleaching agents and colouring. Even if properties of the individual substances are identified, additional knowledge is needed of manufacturing processes, mixtures and how substances change over time. “In the environment plastic can bind with other chemicals found in the water or sediment, such as dangerous toxic substances that do not break down easily”, Bethanie says. “We can examine what happens under simplified conditions in laboratory settings, but this does not provide sure-fire conclusions about what’s happening in complex environments such as the ocean.” AND PLASTIC IS NOT one, but rather many

different substances. In addition, there are many other problems with chemicals that require research, which is less obvious and more difficult to communicate. “If we focus too much on one subject or problem, there is a danger that others will be overlooked”, says Thomas Backhaus. Sweden has been a driving force in many issues related to chemicals management, including the development of the REACH regulation that now applies in all EU countries and deals with the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemical substances. “We need to find out more, collect facts and try to see the whole picture”, says Thomas. “Given that we are exposed to a variety

of chemicals at the same time, for a long period, we need to be aware of what is called the ‘cocktail effect’ – that is, that chemical mixtures can be more toxic than each individual component.” He emphasises that plastics and chemicals are not in themselves bad; on the contrary, they are and have been extremely important for us and the prosperity that we have built up. In addition, far from all chemical substances are hazardous. “But we have to strike a balance to be able to make the right choice when it comes to the use of chemicals and any replacement products”, Thomas adds. IT’S LARGELY A MATTER OF collaboration and communication – for example, between researchers and industry. “We researchers have a great responsibility to communicate intelligibly. If we communicate the wrong things, we can inspire solutions that do not really solve the problems”, says Bethanie Carney Almroth. Although the situation may seem a little dark when it comes to environmental issues, the researchers maintain that there’s hope. “I think we will be able to make changes and improvements. But we must do it now. The situation was already critical 10 years ago”, she says. TEXT CECILIA ANDERSSON EDWALL PHOTO SHUTTERSTOCK

FRAM

Sustainable use of chemicals is a global challenge. FRAM, the Research Centre for Future Chemical Risk Assessment and Management Strategies, is part of the University of Gothenburg’s commitment to meet global societal challenges, with the collective name UGOT Challenges. Within FRAM researchers are working in an interdisciplinary fashion, with a focus on chemical combinations. The centre is run by a multidisciplinary team of environmental scientists in ecotoxicology, ecology, environmental chemistry, life cycle and environmental systems analysis, environmental economics, and environmental and tax law.

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Nordic hotspot for biodiversity education Through the Nordic master’s programme known as NABIS, students acquire extensive knowledge about species and systematics. “Human beings are completely dependent on what nature can provide. But today we can lose important species without even knowing it”, says Tobias Andermann, who has attended the NABIS programme at the University of Gothenburg.

ABIS stands for Nordic Master’s Programme in Biodiversity and Systematics, and the master’s programme includes courses in subjects such as biodiversity, systematics and knowledge of organisms. The programme provides students not only an overview of the great variety of Earth’s species, but it also teaches them to identify species within a group of organisms and the taxonomic system for naming organisms. DNA technology and how to practically handle molecular systematic information are other components in NABIS. Most of the programme is taught online. “This gives students options and a certain freedom. For example, I went on a field trip to Madagascar for a month and studied a Cambridge course given locally there. I was able to include the course in NABIS. So it’s possible to pick up relevant courses from other universities and incorporate them into the education”, says Tobias Andermann. He is originally from Germany. In 2015 he completed NABIS and continued with doctoral studies at the University of Gothenburg. WHAT’S UNIQUE ABOUT NABIS is that several

Nordic universities are involved in the programme. All in all, seven universities and two field stations are part of the network. But the master’s programme is not aimed solely at

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Nordic students; it’s open to everyone. Laima Bagdonaite, from Lithuania, is in her final year of NABIS. After an exchange year at the University of Gothenburg, she applied for the programme after completing a bachelor’s degree in her native country. “It’s educational and fun to have teachers from various universities. It brings in a lot of knowledge and is a great way to connect with more people. I really like that about NABIS”, she says. NABIS LEADS TO A degree of master of

science in biology with specialisation in biodiversity and systematics. The master’s programme is broadly oriented towards those who want to work with conservation in varies ways. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency or the World Wildlife Fund are two conceivable workplaces. The museum world as well. Research is another possible career. This year about a dozen students in NABIS and a handful of teachers at the University of Gothenburg are engaged in various courses. One of them is Urban Olsson. He’s teaching a course in ornithology. It’s a distance learning course, but teachers and students meet during two days for discussion and practical exercises. “The idea behind this course is that students will recognise 300 of the 500 species of birds

TEMA

TELLUS – JORDEN VI ÄRVDE

Students Tobias Andermann from Germany and Laima Bagdonaite from Lithuania have both chosen to come to Sweden to study in the master’s programme in biodiversity and systematics.

we can see in Sweden. And they’ll learn how to capture birds and ring and handle them”. HE BELIEVES THAT species knowledge and

biodiversity are important from many different aspects. Teachers in NABIS want to provide students with the education in systematics and knowledge of species needed to help counter the depletion of biological diversity that is under way. “If you only see nature as a green backdrop, you can’t have a relationship to it other than perhaps artistically, but biologically speaking, you have no understanding of it. And if you don’t have that, you don’t care about it in the same way either. And the way the world looks today, people really need to care about nature.” TOBIAS ANDERMANN IS AIMING for a career in research, and at the moment he is focused on his doctoral studies at the University of Gothenburg. “Scandinavia is a ‘hot spot’ for systematics and research in evolutionary biology. Many people come here to learn more about how to

construct evolutionary trees. In Gothenburg there is a high level of knowledge about this.” In a project in South America that he’s participating in, researchers are investigating how different species of hummingbirds are related to each other. “We want to know how hummingbirds have separated into distinct species and what may the underlying causes. I’ve found interesting patterns that seem to indicate that changes in the Amazon river’s system of tributaries have divided different groups that then have become new species. COURSE COORDINATOR BENGT Oxelman

is hoping for a broadening of the master’s program in the future. “Today we have new research specialisations represented by younger researchers like Tobias. They are studying changes in biodiversity on a large scale, both in modern times and in geological time. And there’s good research that hasn’t really been incorporated into our teaching yet and that we want to include in NABIS.” TEXT CARINA ELIASSON PHOTO ANNA-LENA LUNDQVIST

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Earth’s species disappearing at A third of all species have disappeared from the American continent since the first Europeans arrived. And one in four species in Europe is losing ground. This according to new reports on biodiversity and ecosystem services. “If we are to address problems, we need better coordination among countries”, says Ulf Molau, professor emeritus of plant ecology and one of the authors behind the report on Europe and Central Asia.

n March, four regional reports on the great variety of species in the world were presented at the annual meeting of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) in Medellín, Colombia. In addition to the reports on Europe and Central Asia, there were also reports for the Americas, Africa, Asia and Oceania. “Biodiversity and ecosystem services were not previously prioritiesed in the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Since these issues were somewhat unfairly treated, IPBES was formed in 2012”, says Ulf Molau. If the IPCC can be said to “take the temperature” of the Earth’s climate, the IPBES global platform provides answers to how the millions of different species on Earth are doing. “In Europe we have to protect our national parks. In Poland, for example, the last virgin forests are threatened”, Ulf says.

THE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES vary when it comes to protecting animals, plants, seas, lakes and land areas. As far as Sweden is concerned, the goal adopted at the United Nations

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Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) meeting in Nagoya in 2010 is within reach: 17 per cent of land areas and 10 per cent of marine areas are protected. But the statistics are deceptive. “The protected land areas in Sweden are largely mountainous regions. And certainly we’re seeing positive developments in areas such as Kosterhavet, with the establishment of the national park there, but there are problems in many other coastal areas. At several locations on the West Coast, seashore meadows are disappearing, for example. This has meant that the number of wadering birds has fallen dramatic over the last 10 years.” THE IPBES REGIONAL reports are based on data from hundreds of researchers from various disciplines around the world. Local communities have also contributed information for the reports, as well as various networks, such as birdwatchers. “With the help of the various networks of birdwatchers, we have a decent check on how common different bird species are. We also have pretty good monitoring of the plant world. On the other hand, the insect side is more difficult to describe. Of course, there

t an ever-increasing rate is an incredible number of insect species as well.” BUT IS IT SO important to maintain all the different species? Can’t we get along without some of them? “It’s vital that we retain biodiversity. This is necessary in part for the stability of ecosystems. The species depend on each other. And in part because monocultures are much more vulnerable. And especially because we need access to large genetic diversity so we have multiple alternatives in the future.” Ulf points to the island of Bali as an example of how badly things can turn out otherwise. “The island is almost entirely rice paddies nowadays. Everything else has disappeared, except the temple groves.” THE WORK OF IPBES is based on scientific studies. About 1,300 scientists from all over the world assess the current state of knowledge. On the panel there is broad scientific expertise in the natural sciences, humanities and social sciences. More than 10 Swedish researchers from different universities have participated in work on the regional reports, including three from the University of Gothenburg. A FIFTH REPORT ON land degradation from

Earth is threatened by land degradation through deforestation, flooding, overpopulation, drought, fires and overgrazing. He has seen clear examples of overgrazing during field work in New Zealand. “Intensive sheep farming for more than a hundred years has led to erosion and widespread land degradation in southeastern New Zealand. In some places there is only a hard crust left. It will take an extremely long time to restore the land. All you can do is wait.” It’s easier to restore the land after landslides – for example, as a result of monsoon rains. This can be taken care of through reforestation, but it costs a lot of money. A COMMON DENOMINATOR for solving all problems is that countries have to work together. During the IPBES meeting week in Colombia, government representatives from more than 100 countries met to discuss the conclusions. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency represented Sweden. “In the reports we point out problems, but the problems have to be resolved through collaboration among the countries.” TEXT CARINA ELIASSON PHOTO ULF MOLAU

a global perspective (Land Degradation and Restoration) also was presented at the annual meeting in Medellín. Ulf is one of the researchers behind this report. Many parts of the

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He wants to teach young people to take responsibility for the sea He spent his childhood summers by the sea. Now he inspires young people to take responsibility for the marine environment. Ragnar Eide is one of the motivating forces behind the advanced placement programme in marine biology at the upper-secondary school Gullmarsgymnasiet in Lysekil.

lackboard and benches in long rows? No, at Gullmarsgymnasiet’s marine programme, the classroom features aquariums, sea urchins and trickling sea water instead. It’s a bit chilly and damp when we step into the low building on the quay next to the main building of Gullmarsgymnasiet in Lysekil. In the middle of the grey concrete floor is a giant tub with seawater, where some small flatfish have concealed themselves in the sand at the bottom. A small crab quickly scurries under a tuft of seaweed when it notices the unwelcome guests peering down into the tub. In the room there’s also a long chute with trickling, fresh sea water that is full of small marine animals, and the walls of the room are covered with shelves crowded with small aquariums – the students’ own, it turns out.

Natural Resource Programme rub shoulders with students of the Natural Sciences Programme with Marine Biology Advanced Placement. This advanced placement programme has been around since 1995, and Ragnar Eide, a marine biology teacher, has been involved since the start. “It’s an interesting and varied job, and I learn new things all the time”, he says. In addition to teaching marine biology, the job also includes many excursions in which teachers and students go into the field to collect marine animals and study their structure and behaviour. “We have a close collaboration with the marine laboratory in Kristineberg, and students lend a hand with several of the lab’s projects.”

“Being a teacher is actually more educational than being a researcher”

THE AQUARIUM ROOM is the hub of

Gullmarsgymnasiet’s marine programmes. Here students in the relatively new marine

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HIS WORK AS A teacher gives him a unique

opportunity to keep up to date within the marine biology field. Science is rapidly advancing, and Ragnar is constantly updating courses so that students have access to the latest findings.

Emma Kristensen, age 18, Malin Hageräng, 18, and Daniel Albinsson, 18, attend Ragnar Eide’s class in the Natural Resource Programme.

Ragnar Eide Age: 56 Occupation: Teacher of marine biology at Gullmarsgymnasiet in Lysekil Education: Bachelor’s degree in marine biology at the University of Gothenburg Place of residence: Lysekil and Gothenburg Family: Girlfriend Leisure time: Listen to classical music and be out in nature. Likes to hike, paddle, sail and dive.

“Being a teacher is actually more educational than being a researcher. As a researcher, you have to know everything in your own subject, but I have a chance to acquire much broader knowledge. From an educational standpoint, I think it’s really great. My interest in science is what motivates me, and I like to keep abreast of developments and pass them on to the students.” THE RESEARCH TRACK IS what Ragnar had in mind from the beginning. He studied marine biology at the University of Gothenburg in the 1980s and had begun a dissertation on the evolution of polychaete worms when a completely different species came to his attention – the fire-bellied toad. The species was endangered, and Ragnar got the chance to participate in a collaborative project between Universeum and Nordens Ark to

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save the species. For a few years in the early 1990s, he raised fire-bellied toads in order to stock them in their natural habitat in ponds in Skåne. “Saving frogs seemed more important than the dissertation”, he says, laughing. “And then came the chance to be involved in starting up this upper-secondary school advanced placement programme in marine biology – a unique opportunity to get young people to take an interest in the marine environment.” Yes, protecting wildlife and nature has always been second nature to him. “I’ve always liked having animals. I lugged home common vipers by the tail as a kid, to my mother’s despair. I would keep them for a while, study how they behaved and then release them. I don’t like animals in cages. No, it had to benefit of animals.”

A LOVE OF NATURE and the sea was born

during childhood summers on the island of Flatön, not far from Lysekil. Ragnar snorkelled, sailed and paddled sea kayaks. Happiness was to cram the kayak with water and powdered soup and paddle off on his own to explore the islands along the coast for a few days. “I slept in the open in rock crevices. If it started raining, I just pulled a tarp over me. My parents had to put up with the fact that I went off like that. At that time there was no mobile phone, of course, but I think they reasoned that as long as they didn’t hear anything, everything was okay.” WHEN RAGNAR BEGAN working at Gullmarsgymnasiet, he could not find his way around Lysekil at all. But he knew every islet in the

sea outside the city. Something that comes in handy during school excursions. For several years his main assignment has been teaching in the Marine Natural Resource Programme. The focus is new resource-friendly and environment-friendly ways of aquaculture. “What people have done to the environment has had catastrophic consequences. But we must not give up. We must focus on what we can save. Algae cultivation for biofuel production, for example, is an active way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. “I want to get students to see the possibilities. How it is important that we put the environment first and save what can be saved.” TEXT KARIN FREJRUD PHOTO ANNA-LENA LUNDQVIST

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We finally are focused on

the ocean I

began my career path in limnology, and since then I’ve spent 45 years working on behalf of conservation – in everything from positions at the local level to the international level in the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organisation. Marine issues have been close to my heart ever since I was involved in work on the Mediterranean in the late 1970s. When I was director general of the former Swedish Board of Fisheries up until 2011, sustainable fishing was the central issue. Now I’m chair of the board of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the most exciting honorary assignments you can have. WHEN THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY adopted

the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, it was a huge success. They replaced what were called the Millennium Development Goals, which applied from 2000 to 2015. The main difference was that this approach was now broader and concerned all countries, not just developing countries. The Sustainable Development Goals are in effect until 2030 and cover 17 main areas, ranging from poverty and health to the environment and natural resources. Within each area there are a number of intermediate objectives, a total of 169.

IT’S INTERESTING and encouraging that the goals have gain major attention internationally, not only within the sphere of the United Nations and governments of the member states. In the business world and civil society, groups often have incorporated the goals into their own efforts. One example is the WWF, where we have fully integrated the goals into our strategy. Our marine areas have been singled out in particular and have an area of their own, goal 14, which is especially gratifying for all who work on marine issues in research and management. What’s even better is that Sweden, together with Fiji, has assumed leadership for goal 14 in particular. However, these must not be just empty words, as has happened so often in the past within the UN system. The initiative got off to a good start in June last year when Sweden, Fiji and the United Nations organised the Oceans Conference in New York.

”These must not be just empty words, as has happened so often in the past within the UN system.”

THIS WAS ALSO the first global conference for any of the global goals. To be honest, the resolution from the conference was not especially impressive, but what happened alongside was what was important. The University of Gothenburg was present with, among others, Lena Gipperth, director of the Centre for Sea and

GUEST COLUMN Society, and I was privileged to be included in the WWF delegation. Many contacts were made, which will be important in the future, and of course there was a lot of lobbying. ONE EXAMPLE CONCERNED the free ocean – that is, areas outside the exclusive economic zone of 200 nautical miles, which accounts for the vast majority of our maritime areas. There is no real regulation of biological diversity, even though for decades various environmental organisations have lobbied the UN to start a process to develop a convention on biodiversity in these areas. Now a decision in the UN General Assembly finally has been reached, and the process has begun. I was part of the extensive lobbying effort in New York and would like to think that our work was the last drop that wore away the stone. There’s still a long journey ahead where anything can happen before we have a convention. WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY of Gothenburg, development efforts focusing on the ocean are ongoing, and an important step forward was the formation of the Centre for Sea and Society as an interfaculty centre of expertise and research. The fact is that the sea is relevant for virtually every faculty. At the same time a marine department is being formed. The university’s marine infrastructure has struggled with financial challenges and needed developing to improve coordination and put into place measures to improve costeffectiveness. SINCE I LED the efforts to develop the

maritime cluster in the Västra Götaland region, I had many contacts and therefore was asked if I would help. From this was born the idea of creating something new at Kristineberg, and I invited IVL, the Swedish Environmental Research Institute, the Royal Institute of Technology, Chalmers University of Technology and RISE to develop a unique

collaboration along with the University of Gothenburg. After various discussions, I submitted my report in February 2017 in which I suggested the creation of the “Kristineberg Center for Marine Research and Innovation”, with these five organisations as the core group. The proposal was well received by both the vice-chancellor and the university board, and implementation work could start right away. It was led by Lena Gipperth, and at Christmas last year, there was a plan and a partnership agreement among the five stakeholders. IT’S WORTH MENTIONING THAT this is

something quite unique in Sweden and probably also in Europe. Eeverything from basic marine research to operation of the test beds are represented. Today there already is collaboration among these research organisations, but the potential is great. What makes it particularly interesting is that, behind the marine research in the respective organisation, there is extensive research in other and closely related areas. This can include information technology or other areas of technology, and the possibilities are limited only by our imagination. At the same time, it’s important to move forward slowly to ensure the collaboration is stable and sustainable. I HAVE CONCLUDED my assignment now,

but I’m extremely happy that we have come so far, and there is every reason to believe that this will succeed. Strengthening the marine cluster in western Sweden is also an important contribution. My dream is that this will become a European counterpart to Woods Hole in the United States, which is considered by many to be the world’s leading marine research station. Axel Wenblad Chairman of WWF Honorary Doctor, University of Gothenburg

NYHETER

New policy recommendations for managing invasive fish Stocking of salmon outside their natural habitat should be avoided. That sounds obvious, but the fact is that in Europe it’s common to stock fish such as rainbow trout and brown trout in streams where they normally aren’t found. For this reason, the SalmoInvade research project has now developed policy recommendations for the management of invasive fish in the salmon family, or salmonids.

almonids are among the most significant fish species in Europe, from both an economic and cultural perspective. They are an important species for the growing aquaculture industry, but also for both recreational and the commercial fishing. For this reason, salmon have been stocked to one degree or another in many places where they

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normally are not found, which can have major consequences for both natural fish stocks and the entire ecosystem. Jörgen Johnsson, professor of animal ecology, is the coordinator of the SalmoInvade research project, which is behind the new recommendations.

Brook trout is an invasive species in Sweden.

“Anglers and other nonprofit organisations in Sweden are already making major contributions towards improving natural habitats”

WHY HAVE YOU DEVELOPED POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS?

“There are shortcomings in the management and regulation of the spread of invasive salmonids in most countries in Europe. There is also a large variation among European countries in this management, which varies from more central control and regulation in Scandinavia to stronger local influence in continental Europe. There are also shortcomings in how existing regulations are observed in all European countries. So we felt that a common European approach was needed to analyse and try to improve the situation.” WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR REGULATIONS TO BE FOLLOWED?

“Closer cooperation and dialogue between regulatory agencies, researchers and those responsible locally as well as an improved transfer of knowledge so local stakeholders feel motivated and involved in applying the recommendations and

Policy recommendations at a glance Improve the monitoring, reporting and evaluation of salmonid stocking Introduce strict guidelines for stocking of invasive salmonids to preserve biodiversity Provide information and support to local and regional decisionmakers and agencies to create better regulations and evaluation methods Take into account the variation in how people in the various European countries value native salmonids in drawing up strategies for their conservation Improve the dialogue between the scientific community, the public and decisionmakers to create preconditions for biodiversity  SalmoInvade Policy Brief:

www.biodiversa.org/1330

understanding why they are needed.” WHAT CAN ORDINARY PEOPLE DO TO HAVE AN IMPACT?

“They can do such things as restore natural habitats to strengthen natural salmon stocks instead of relying on artificial stocking. Anglers and other nonprofit organisations in Sweden are already making major contributions towards improving natural habitats, but there’s always more that can be done. In continental Europe people often look on stocking more favourably, in part because the natural salmonid stocks are often absent. Dissemination of knowledge is also very important. In all the countries studied, we’ve found that ordinary people have a rather poor understanding of which salmonid species are native and which ones are introduced. That makes it difficult to get involved in protecting native species.” TEXT CAMILLA PERSSON PHOTO JOACIM NÄSLUND

SCIENCE FACULTY MAGAZINE MAY 2018

More and more people want to eat seafood at the same time as wild stocks in the oceans are shrinking. Can new types of aquaculture be the solution to the future food crisis?

Aquaculture looks for ways to secure the future supply of protein

he world’s population is growing and the need for sustainably produced protein is rapidly increasing. Now significant research resources are being invested to find new and sustainable ways to cultivate seafood, both in the sea and on land. Cultivating fish and seafood is a rapidly growing industry worldwide, but today’s farming techniques can also have a negative impact on the environment. To create sustainable marine aquaculture requires finding solutions to two major challenges. These have to do with the nutrients that leak out from fish farms to the ocean and the feed, which traditionally has consisted of fishmeal from fish caught in the wild.

IN AUGUST LAST YEAR 1,200 catfish fry from Iceland arrived at the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences. The fry, which weighed only 5 grams on delivery, have grown considerably, and now the largest weigh 150 grams. The fish are being studied to find workable methods for commercial farming of catfish and other marine species.

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“We’re testing various ways to see how to raise the fish in a manner that is optimal for both the environment and the fish”, says Snuttan Sundell, professor of animal physiology and director of SWEMARC, the Swedish Mariculture Research Centre, which coordinates all research on aquaculture within the University of Gothenburg. CATFISH IS AN EXCLUSIVE and sought after

edible fish that has not yet been grown commercially on a large scale. The farming experiment is just one of several projects that aim to find ways that would facilitate the development of sustainable aquaculture. In addition to developing cultivation procedures for new marine species, much of the research involves testing different types of circular aquaculture systems and developing new types of feed. THE MAJORITY OF fish farming in Sweden takes place today in what is known as open systems in fresh water. SWEMARC is working to find sustainable solutions for marine

In Kristoffer Stedts' degree project, he examined the possibilities of balancing nutrient emissions from a fish farm in Norway using algae and mussels.

aquaculture. To have better control of both the water leaving the facility and the water in which the fish live, different forms of more closed farming systems are being tested. Studies show that as much as 60 per cent of the nitrogen from conventional fish farming is released directly into the water without being put to good use. Consequently, measures are needed to raise fish in a sustainable manner. CLEAN WATER IS A prerequisite for workable aquaculture. Among other things, microbiological filters are used to purify the water in recirculating aquaculture systems. “There are not yet many marine recirculating farming systems that are commercially viable and thereby economically sustainable. That’s why this research is particularly important”, Snuttan says. ANOTHER METHOD TO REDUCE the effect of

nutrient leaching from aquaculture involves raising several different species together in what are known as multitrophic systems. For example, algae and mussels can be grown in connection with a fish farm to ingest nutrients from the water and build it into their biomass. A master’s degree project by Kristoffer Stedt demonstrates that the techni-

que seems to work, but that there are also practical challenges. In his degree project on marine biology, he examined the possibilities of balancing nutrient emissions from a fish farm in Norway using algae and mussels. Blue mussels filter water and ingest the particulate nutrients, while the algae ingest the dissolved nutrients. “We got good results. The mussels ingested between 15 and 30 per cent of the particulate substances, and the algae ingested 60 to 70 per cent of the nitrogen”, Kristoffer Stedt says. ALTHOUGH THERE IS great potential for increased marine aquaculture in Sweden, Snuttan Sundell thinks we probably have a long way to go before we can compete with countries like Norway when it comes to volume production. A better way to go is to focus on smaller and sustainable local farms with high quality, perhaps with more exclusive species such as catfish and lobster. “The key to success lies in sustainable, circular farming on a smaller scale. It can create new industries for local communities along the coast when fishing quotas are decreasing.” TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN

aquaculture have taken a big step forward in recent years, but another obstacle to more large-scale farming is current regulations in this area. In SWEMARC, which is an interfaculty centre, natural and social scientists are actively working together to simplify and speed up the processing of permits for aquaculture. “There are many entrepreneurs who want to invest in sustainable farming, but today’s regulatory system has not kept up with technological developments”, Snuttan says. TEXT ALBIN DAHLIN PHOTO KRISTOFFER STEDT

 Read the full interview: sciencefacultymagazine.com SCIENCE FACULTY MAGAZINE MAY 2018

Johanna Elam Age: 29 år Occupation: Oceanographer, interdisciplinary doctoral student Place of residence: Linnéstaden Family: Partner Leisure interests: Snowboarding (recent interest, having switched from skis), hiking, sailing – everything that involves being outdoors is enjoyable. Happiest when: At, on and in the sea! Unexpected talent: Mould! I'm good at mould and can make anything at all get mouldy. That’s probably a nice euphemism for being a little sloppy with what I have in the fridge.

Curiosity as a motivator 38

SCIENCE FACULTY MAGAZINE MAY 2018

Johanna Elam is not taken aback by different opinions. On the contrary, she feels right at home with different points of view. With great curiosity and interest in interdisciplinary science, she is investigating what is happening with the wood foundations of buildings in Gothenburg as the infrastructure is changing.

t’s a fun project because it is so concrete and so many people are involved”, says Johanna Elam. “Everyone I talk to has an opinion, feeling or insight, different approaches that could be of use. I take all good advice into account and am not likely to run out of ideas.” As a doctoral student in an interdisciplinary research project, she is working on identifying the extent to which wood pilings in Gothenburg’s clay soil may become infested by mould fungus and bacteria when the surrounding conditions change. The doctoral project is a continuation of a preliminary investigation that Johanna’s supervisor, Charlotte Björdal, conducted as a commission of Västlänken (West Link).

BECAUSE THERE ARE a lot of opinions and emotions among Gothenburg residents surrounding the West Link, Johanna often gets questions and comments relating to it and whether the city standing on clay will hold up. “As soon as I tell them what I’m working on, the West Link comes up, and I have nothing against that. But I wish people didn’t think that I have all the solutions. I try to remain neutral and really emphasise that I’m not working on the West Link. My research is my research, and the West Link is the West Link.” SINCE SHE STARTED last autumn, she has

learnt a lot about wood, and she proudly displays a diploma from Svenskt Trä (Swedish Wood). Recently Johanna has set out wood samples in various places in Gothenburg that will be in the ground for two years before they are retrieved and analysed. “We have also placed metres that give us an indication of pore pressure in the clay. We want to try to understand the

relationship between the environment and decomposition.” SO FAR THE RESEARCHERS have seen that

it is usually the outermost centimetres of the wooden pilings that are affected. The preliminary investigation project has provided a zero reference point – what things looked like in 2017. It’s hoped that the new tests will provide answers to how long it takes before the wood is affected by bacteria and how severe the infestation becomes as time goes on. One of the reasons that Johanna has taken on this project is her great interest in interdisciplinary science. She has a master’s in physical oceanography, and during her studies, she expanded her knowledge by studying chemistry, biology and geology. “I like learning new things and applying the knowledge I have in new areas. I feel that you find good things when you look at the intersection of different subjects.” THE DOCTORAL POSITION also includes teaching, something she likes and wants to do more of. The desire to teach had a lot to do with her decision to work towards a doctorate. “The moment when I see that they understand something that they didn’t understand before is wonderful. I might have tried different approaches, and when understanding comes, right then, it’s like a completely solved Sudoku. It’s something special when things fall neatly into place like that.” The project will continue for four to five years. Eventually she hopes to have a more permanent type of teaching position, perhaps as a senior lecturer. “But there will probably be a postdoc first.” TEXT CECILIA ANDERSSON EDWALL PHOTO JOHAN WINGBORG

SCIENCE FACULTY MAGAZINE MAY 2018

SCISS’s clothes swap day was a success and attracted lots of participants. Five items of clothes could be traded for five other items.

Students with a sustainable focus The commitment is steady, the time and energy vary. This is how the activities of Science Students for Sustainability (SciSS) can be summarised. Now the students are trying to breathe new life into the association.

hey want to do a lot of fun things to boost student interest in sustainability. “In addition to swap-your-clothes days and inspirational lectures, perhaps film nights and collaboration on urban farming”, says Gabriella Christenson, who wants to get more students interested in working on sustainability issues.

Gabriella is in her second semester of the environmental science programme. In addition, she is a UN Development Programme communications officer participating in UN efforts to spread knowledge about the sustainable development goals, is part of a UN environmental team and has worked as a volunteer with the SPIRA Science labour market fair.

New interdisciplinary master’s programme

Efforts on an interdisciplinary programme began last spring with a master’s course in marine management offered in collaboration with the Faculty of Natural Sciences, the School of Business, Economics and Law, and the Faculty of Social Sciences.

The future requires a broad understanding of sustainable development issues and how the different parts fit together. Consequently, the University of Gothenburg has developed Master in Sea and Society, a new interdisciplinary marine master’s programme, which will begin in autumn 2019. “It’s important to have a long-term programme that can contribute to a new generation of students with an interdisciplinary foundation”, says Per Moksnes, who is responsible for the new programme.

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WHEN SCIENCE FACULTY Magazine visited

the course in the Botanical building, one of the seminar rooms was buzzing with activity as students gathered around a large game board set up on several tables. Placed on the board were game pieces and colourful tiles with various symbols. This was a role play in which students simulate different interest groups that are going to design a marine plan. “It was a difficult exercise for me, as I had

But science students are always interested in sustainability, right? Is an association necessary? “Yes!” exclaims Gabriella. “It’s not enough to have an interest. To bring about change, you have to take the step from being interested to getting involved. And together we are stronger.” FOR MANY OF THE initiators of SciSS, there

hasn’t really been enough time, but now they’re hoping for a fresh start. “Most of us are environmental scientists and would like to also involve other natural scientists, such as chemists, biologists and geologists, who can bring in new perspectives and diversity”, says Christopher Magnusson, who helped start the association in 2015. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences, he’s now studying for a master’s in biology. The first thing the association did was a “barbrescue”, a barbecue with products that shops were going to discard. Since then there have been seminars, a book club and most re-

cently a well-attended swap-your-clothes day. “It’s important to have this sort of forum for students. We can both help the faculty with sustainability work and learn more about sustainability in everyday life”, says Christopher. IN THE QUEST TO develop the association,

there really are no restrictions, except money. “We could go on a trip, pick up trash, work with urban farming, collaborate with companies, give lectures at schools – there’s no limit to what can be done”, says Gabriella. “Many have climate anxiety and don’t really know what they can do. So it’s good for students to come together and feel that they make a difference.” Both Gabriella and Christopher think it’s also good for their future careers to combine theoretical knowledge with practical activities. “It would be great if the association can serve as a hub for all sorts of initiatives and ideas from its members. It really is uplifting when it goes well”, says Christopher. TEXT CECILIA ANDERSSON EDWALL

to play the role of a representative for the oil and gas industry”, said student Cecilia Patriksson. She previously studied environmental science with a broad focus.

In autumn 2019, the Master in Sea and Society programme will begin. TEXT&PHOTO ALBIN DAHLIN

SHE THINKS THE COURSE has been rewar-

ding because the issues raised are things she has encountered in her working life. The aim of the course is to present an overview of the contents and requirements of the EU directive governing marine areas and provide students with a new type of interdisciplinary competence. The idea is to have an understanding of how the different parts fit together and affect each other. For example, the regulations are intended not only to protect nature, but they also concern the utilisation of marine resources. SCIENCE FACULTY MAGAZINE MAY 2018

NYHETER

New national arena for

marine research&innovation The first steps towards creating a national arena for marine research and innovation are now being taken through a new collaboration project involving five strong research stakeholders. An agreement has been signed to develop a unique research and innovation environment for blue growth to be called the Kristineberg Marine Research and Innovation Centre.

ristineberg’s marine research station in the county of Bohuslän is one of the oldest marine stations in the world for research and education. As of 2008, it has been under the management of the University of Gothenburg. To develop its activities and take on the challenges of the future, five strong research stakeholders, with support from Lysekil municipality, have decided to create a joint research and innovation centre. “This initiative will strengthen the maritime innovation climate at regional, national and EU level. It is also completely in line

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with Sweden’s undertaking regarding global efforts with sustainable development goal 14 for oceans, seas and marine resources,” says Jessica Hjerpe Olausson who is a maritime expert at Region Västra Götaland.

The Kristineberg Marine Research and Innovation Centre will be under the joint management of the six partner organisations. University of Gothenburg, Chalmers University of Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute and RISE och Lysekils municipality. The facility is currently owned by the University of Gothenburg.

The centre will have advanced marine infrastructure, testbeds and demonstration environments, facilities that are increasingly in demand by trade and industry and the public sector. Testsite Akvamarin is an example of a testbed, the purpose of which is to support the development of new innovative marine foods focusing on circular systems for the cultivation of fish, shellfish and algae. Another example is the development of Testsite Skagerrak where it will be possible to perform sea-based tests and demonstrations for marine energy and technology. TEXT ALBIN DAHLIN PHOTO EDUARDO INFANTES

AWARDS

Scary Seafood will teach us to eat new food from the sea Can sea squirts, polychaete worms and algae become delicacies of the future? Although they may not sound very appetising, the sea contains many untapped resources that work great as food for people. Scary Seafood, a newly established project, hopes to inspire us to eat new marine species that are not made use of and consumed today.

t a workshop at the Tjärnö marine research station in mid-April, fishermen, growers and representatives of the restaurant and tourism industries gathered to learn more and sample some of these unexplored ingredients. Much of what we eat is governed by traditions and expectations. In times of over-fishing and increasing demand for seafood, there are reasons to rethink what we can actually eat. “It’s also about rediscovering foods that were eaten here before”, says Christin Appelqvist, a researcher in marine biology at the University of Gothenburg and project manager. THE SCARY SEAFOOD PROJECT, which is run by the

University of Gothenburg and Maritma, the maritime cluster in West Sweden, is conducting a study of both conceivable and inconceivable species from the sea from a sustainability perspective. The goal is to describe the current state of knowledge about the species and shed light on the obstacles or opportunities for getting the product from the ocean to the plate. The project also wants to stimulate entrepreneurship and the creation of new businesses. Spectacular and unusual food can also stimulate travel and lead to the development of experiential tourism.

2018 JANUARY-MAY BO BERNDTSSON, profes-

sor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences, has been awarded the 2017 Stefan Bergman Prize from the American Mathematical Society. AXEL MÅLQVIST, professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences, has been awarded the Göran Gustafsson Prize in mathematics. ERIK SANDBLOM, senior

lecturer at the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, has been awarded the prestigious President’s Medal from the Society for Experimental Biology. KARNA LIDMARBERGSTRÖM, professor eme-

rita of physical geography at Stockholm University, has been appointed honorary doctor at the Faculty of Science, University of Gothenburg.

SOFIA B. OLSSON, WHO IS head chef at vRÅ restaurant in Gothenburg, was one of the participants in the workshop. She’s very interested in finding new sustainable species to serve because it is often difficult to vary the menu if the requirement is that the ingredients come from sustainable stocks. “There are several different prawns, crabs and octopuses that I would like to test. Sea cucumbers are also interesting.” TEXT ALBIN DAHLIN SCIENCE FACULTY MAGAZINE MAY 2018

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