News from the department of Ecology

Find news from the department of Ecology.

How can we domesticate food insects? External web Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry Department of Ecology SLU Future Food The emerging concept of using insects-as-food is increasingly seen as an environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional animal protein production systems. However, there are some obstacles that are currently preventing the wide-scale implementation of mass-rearing of insects, and these are all based on limits of our scientific knowledge. But thanks to two new project at the Swedish University of Agriculture we will soon know more. Åsa Berggren and her colleagues have received funding... 15 November 2018
How much bark-feeding from pine weevils can conifer seedlings tolerate? External web Staff web Department of Ecology Platform Plant Protection Utilizing basic ecological knowledge on plant defence against herbivores is a novel tool for developing efficient and durable plant protection strategies. Yet, the focus has been on traits that prevent damage (resistance), while those enabling plants to withstand damage (tolerance) have been neglected. Adriana Puentes has received funding from the Swedish research council to explore how tolerance and resistance can be combined to decrease damage from pine weevils. 07 November 2018
SLU researchers challenge the lawn norms External web Department of Ecology On start page external web Research news SLU Urban Futures In an article in Science, SLU researchers Maria Ignatieva and Marcus Hedblom write about alternatives to lawns that would be better for both climate and biodiversity. It could also give people a more interesting environment. Today, the norms surrounding lawns are strong and creating a new ecological norm requires creative solutions, visible demonstration areas and communication with the public. 30 October 2018
Surprising discovery may be exploited to generate plants with enhanced resistance External web Entomology Genetics and breeding Forest science Department of Ecology On start page external web Research news Press releases Platform Plant Protection Researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and the Forestry Research Institute of Sweden (Skogforsk) have shown that Norway spruce plants produced through somatic embryogenesis, a clonal propagation method, are more resistant to pine weevil damage compared to conventionally cultivated seedlings. These differences in susceptibility to insect feeding are likely explained by the propagation method in itself, as plant defense mechanisms are known to be activated during t... 26 October 2018
Seminar in Alnarp on biological control with CBC's new operations group External web Centre for biological control (CBC) Department of Ecology Institutionen för skoglig mykologi och växtpatologi Department of Plant Protection Biology Department of Molecular Sciences Platform Plant Protection The Center for Biological Control, CBC, met in Alnarp 4–5 October. The center has a new operations group this fall, and the meeting therefore started with seminars on biological control research. 05 October 2018
Ecological impact of logging in the Białowieża Forest extends far beyond logged areas External web Ecology Department of Ecology On start page external web Research news Press releases Environmental sciences A team of researchers from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Siedlce University and the Mammal Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences, has provided a first objective estimate of the extent of logging (since 2015) in the renowned Białowieża Forest. This forest is the last remaining area of lowland temperate forest with a primeval character in Europe and is a UNESCO World Heritage and Natura 2000 site. 02 October 2018
Study Reveals Best Available Science for Predator-Livestock Coexistence External web Department of Ecology On start page external web Research news Livestock guardian dogs, livestock enclosures, and fladry all were scientifically shown to be effective conflict deterrents. Many more methods – lethal and nonlethal alike – show promise but have not yet been studied in a scientifically defensible manner to determine if they are effectiv, according to a new study in PLOS Biology with authors from Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in the international team. 18 September 2018
Regional landscape change linked to local species loss External web Ecology Agricultural science Department of Ecology On start page external web Research news Press releases Environmental sciences Widespread landscape change and a loss of grassland habitat during the 20th century could be responsible for a reduction in grassland plant species, new research shows. 27 August 2018
EcoStack – new EU project will combine ecosystem services for optimized crop production External web Ecology Centre for organic food and farming (EPOK) Centre for biological control (CBC) Department of Ecology Institutionen för skoglig mykologi och växtpatologi Department of Crop Production Ecology On start page external web Distinctions and financial funding Department of Molecular Sciences Platform Plant Protection EcoStack is a new EU-project with a budget of 10 million Euros that will span five years. The project starts in September 2018 and SLU is one of 24 partners. The aim of the project is to use ecosystem services to optimize crop protection and production. 24 August 2018
Could insects as a feed alternative change deforestation rates? External web Department of Ecology On start page external web SLU Future Food According to a master thesis by Douglas Hunter substitution of soybean meal with insects in the European poultry industry could reduce land-use up to 99 percent. Many colleagues at SLU have expressed their interest in the thesis that belongs to a research project on sustainable use of resources lead by Åsa Berggren, Department of Ecology. 10 July 2018