Planning for tourism and outdoor recreation in Swedish coastal areas could be improved with knowledge of visitors’ attitudes, experiences, activities and geographical dispersion. The purpose of this thesis is to examine the knowledge of visitors in planning for tourism and outdoor recreation. The Luleå archipelago in Northern Sweden is used as a case study. Supervisors: Professor Lars Emmelin, Blekinge Institute of Technology/ETOUR Dr Peter Fredman, ETOUR. The Department of Spatial Planning, BTH deals with research on planning processes, environmental impact assessment, social issues, gender issues and applied information technology in spatial planning. The European Tourism Research Institute, ETOUR, Mid Sweden University, develops knowledge and expertise within issues related to travel and tourism. There are three main objectives: to conduct research on tourism-related issues, to analyse statistics on tourism and to make the research results accessible to the tourism industry. The research aims to develop the tourism industry and the institute is a resource for businesses, organisations and authorities. This project has been financed by the AGORA Interreg III-project Network Sustainable Tourism Development in the Baltic Sea Region, the Blekinge County Administration Board, the Mid Sweden University in Östersund, the European Tourism Research Institute (ETOUR), and The Swedish Tourist Authority. / The Department of Spatial Planning, BTH carries out research on planning processes, environmental impact assessment, social issues, gender issues and applied information technology in spatial planning. The European Tourism Research Institute, ETOUR, Mid Sweden University, develops knowledge and expertise within issues related to travel and tourism. There are three main objectives: to conduct research on tourism-related issues, to analyse statistics on tourism and to make the research results accessible to the tourism industry. The research aims to develop the tourism industry and the institute is a resource for businesses, organisations and authorities. This project has been financed by the European Tourism Research Institute (ETOUR), the Mid Sweden University in Östersund, and the AGORA Interreg III-project Network Sustainable Tourism Development in the Baltic Sea Region.

Environmental conflicts are multi-dimensional. Individual components of environmental and resource-related conflicts are closely interlinked with other structural societal elements, including economic, social, political and cultural developments. Coastal areas are significant for people’s subsistence, as well as industrial development, cultural heritage, and waterways; therefore, they require integrated research approaches and the implementation of comprehensive strategies of resource management, dispute resolution and conflict prevention. This qualitative exploratory study contributes to the development of the field of environmental conflict resolution (ECR) by examining the perceptions and experiences of 52 key stakeholders from the coastal areas of the Great Lakes region of Canada and the United States (US) with regards to environmental and resource conflicts and conflict resolution approaches. The study invited coastal stakeholders such as environmental policymakers, researchers, academics, educators and NGO members to share their perceptions, images, experiences and knowledge about environmental and resource conflicts and conflict resolution practices in the coastal areas of the Great Lakes. The framework of this holistic study integrates public policy, alternative dispute resolution, conflict analysis, project evaluation, dialogue and public participation, education and other creative interventions into an inclusive strategy of integrated environmental and resource management of coastal areas. Analysis of the study participants’ responses revealed several key findings. First, the multi-dimensional character of environmental and resource conflicts and the wide range of coastal stakeholders involved necessitate creating spaces for dialogue and communication among coastal stakeholders, which may facilitate relationship building and encourage collaborative problem solving and constructive conflict resolution. Second, establishing links between science and policymaking within environmental and resource management, as well as introducing conflict resolution education for coastal stakeholders, may significantly enhance the capacity of coastal stakeholders in ECR. Third, coastal stakeholders in the Great Lakes have an extensive and wide-ranging existing local knowledge, experience and expertise in resolving environmental and resource conflicts. Fourth, a conflict resolution system’s design developed in this study may serve as an integrated framework for the analysis and resolution of environmental and resource conflicts. This ECR system design involves such important components as conducting conflict and stakeholder analysis; identifying the root causes of conflict; bringing conflict participants together to discuss resolution options; and building in continuous evaluation of environmental conflict resolution processes.

Environmental conflicts are multi-dimensional. Individual components of environmental and resource-related conflicts are closely interlinked with other structural societal elements, including economic, social, political and cultural developments. Coastal areas are significant for people’s subsistence, as well as industrial development, cultural heritage, and waterways; therefore, they require integrated research approaches and the implementation of comprehensive strategies of resource management, dispute resolution and conflict prevention. This qualitative exploratory study contributes to the development of the field of environmental conflict resolution (ECR) by examining the perceptions and experiences of 52 key stakeholders from the coastal areas of the Great Lakes region of Canada and the United States (US) with regards to environmental and resource conflicts and conflict resolution approaches. The study invited coastal stakeholders such as environmental policymakers, researchers, academics, educators and NGO members to share their perceptions, images, experiences and knowledge about environmental and resource conflicts and conflict resolution practices in the coastal areas of the Great Lakes. The framework of this holistic study integrates public policy, alternative dispute resolution, conflict analysis, project evaluation, dialogue and public participation, education and other creative interventions into an inclusive strategy of integrated environmental and resource management of coastal areas. Analysis of the study participants’ responses revealed several key findings. First, the multi-dimensional character of environmental and resource conflicts and the wide range of coastal stakeholders involved necessitate creating spaces for dialogue and communication among coastal stakeholders, which may facilitate relationship building and encourage collaborative problem solving and constructive conflict resolution. Second, establishing links between science and policymaking within environmental and resource management, as well as introducing conflict resolution education for coastal stakeholders, may significantly enhance the capacity of coastal stakeholders in ECR. Third, coastal stakeholders in the Great Lakes have an extensive and wide-ranging existing local knowledge, experience and expertise in resolving environmental and resource conflicts. Fourth, a conflict resolution system’s design developed in this study may serve as an integrated framework for the analysis and resolution of environmental and resource conflicts. This ECR system design involves such important components as conducting conflict and stakeholder analysis; identifying the root causes of conflict; bringing conflict participants together to discuss resolution options; and building in continuous evaluation of environmental conflict resolution processes.

There have been studies on the role of land use planning and development regulations on hazard mitigation and the importance of including these in effective mitigation planning initiatives. However, little empirical research has examined how the local capacity and commitment affect the adoption and implementation of land use and development regulations to mitigate any type of hazards in the coastal areas. This study investigates hazard mitigation policies and practices at municipal and county level in the Texas coastal area and examines the influence of capacity and commitment for the adoption and implementation of these hazard mitigation strategies and actions. The data utilized in this survey were collected as part of a web-based survey. Responses were solicited from 267 local jurisdictions that consist of 226 cities and 41 counties. The survey was targeted to leading planner, or mayor/city manager and county judges. In total 124 responses were obtained, yielding an overall response rate of 46%. Study results show that local jurisdictions are employing a very limited a set of land use and development regulations that the literature has identified as important for hazard mitigation. There are considerable differences between municipalities and counties in the implementation of those policies. Municipalities tend to put more effort in employing building standards and development regulations, whereas counties more extensively employ information dissemination and private-public sector initiatives. In addition, statistical models are developed to assess the influence of local capacity and commitment on the adoption and implementation of hazard mitigation policies and strategies. Other factors such as jurisdiction type and location, hazard experience and exposure as well as population characteristics, are also examined in multivariate models. Results suggest that capacity and commitment of local jurisdictions have significant effects on the adoption and implementation hazard mitigation policies and strategies. Additionally, factor such as floodplain area, jurisdiction type municipality, and hazard experience have strong associated with implementation of hazard mitigation policies and strategies.

According to the Global Climate Risk Index, Bangladesh with its densely populated coastal areas is considered as one of the most vulnerable countries affected by climate change in the world. In this context, the goal of this research is to assess the social vulnerability of the south-western coastal communities of the country,which is becoming more vulnerable, trying to understand the underlying social conditions of coastal people who are dependent on limited natural resources. To do so, vulnerability indicators of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity are analyzed using quantitative data collected from different sample areas and focus group discussions (FGD) were held with the local women in two study areas. The results show that a community in the area have close dependency on natural resources such as water, mangrove forest and also has a limited set of livelihood options. Also many households, above the traditional fishing and agriculture, have no secondary occupation or alternative livelihood options. Therefore, unpredictable seasonal patterns on the sea and land would threat livelihood and mainly their food security. Considering that the coastal areas have potential opportunities for nation’s sustainable development, assessing on social vulnerability to climate change will help to create regulation and awareness programs in order to minimize vulnerabilities.

Bachelor's thesis. / Format: PDF. Bibl.

Planning in coastal areas is often viewed as a possibility for municipalities to enable the construction of housing in attractive places, and thereby encourage growth in the region both locally and for the municipality in its entirety. A growing need for housing and workers in the northernmost region of Sweden, as well as a historical trend of centralization to larger cities, has led municipal planners in Sweden to make use of therural coastal areas to attract migrants and as a place to help safeguard sustainable long term growth in the region. This study explores the approaches of two municipalities, Piteå and Kiruna, towards rural growth in coastal areas. Mainly focusing on sustainability and wordings of problematizations as well as wordings of motivations and goals. The aim is to conduct a content analysis of the selected municipalities' planning documents and thematic additions to their comprehensive plans regarding rural coastal areas, examining how these areas are addressed in planning strategies. The analysis also investigates the municipalities' strategies for promoting sustainability and growth within these areas. The results highlight a prioritization of economic growth over social justice and ecological balance. While economic considerations are emphasized, the study reveals variations in rationales for land use and the objectives municipalities associate with the selected locations. Additionally, the analysis underscores a lack of comprehensive investigations and justifications regarding the anticipated effects of designating theseareas. This study sheds light on the complexities of integrating sustainability goals into local planning processes and provides insights into the challenges and priorities faced by municipalities in Sweden.

Le suivi des zones côtières nécessite à la fois une bonne résolution spatiale, une bonne résolution spectraleassociée à un bon rapport signal sur bruit et enfin une bonne résolution temporelle pour visualiser deschangements rapides de couleur de l’eau.Les capteurs disponibles actuellement, et même ceux prévus prochainement, n’apportent pas à la fois unebonne résolution spatiale, spectrale ET temporelle. Dans cette étude, nous nous intéressons à la fusion de 2futurs capteurs qui s’inscrivent tous deux dans le programme Copernicus de l’agence spatiale européenne:MSI sur Sentinel-2 et OLCI sur Sentinel-3.Comme les capteurs MSI et OLCI ne fournissent pas encore d’images, il a fallu les simuler. Pour cela nousavons eu recours aux images hyperspectrales du capteur HICO. Nous avons alors proposé 3 méthodes : uneadaptation de la méthode ARSIS à la fusion d’images multispectrales (ARSIS), une méthode de fusion baséesur la factorisation de tenseurs non-négatifs (Tenseur) et une méthode de fusion basée sur l’inversion dematrices (Inversion)Ces 3 méthodes ont tout d’abord été évaluées à l’aide de paramètres statistiques entre les images obtenuespar fusion et l’image « parfaite » ainsi que sur les résultats d’estimation de paramètres biophysiques obtenuspar minimisation du modèle de transfert radiatif dans l’eau. / Monitoring coastal areas requires both a good spatial resolution, good spectral resolution associated with agood signal to noise ratio and finally a good temporal resolution to visualize rapid changes in water color.Available now, and even those planed soon, sensors do not provide both a good spatial, spectral ANDtemporal resolution. In this study, we are interested in the image fusion of two future sensors which are bothpart of the Copernicus program of the European Space Agency: MSI on Sentinel-2 and OLCI on Sentinel-3.Such as MSI and OLCI do not provide image yet, it was necessary to simulate them. We then used thehyperspectral imager HICO and we then proposed three methods: an adaptation of the method ARSIS fusionof multispectral images (ARSIS), a fusion method based on the non-negative factorization tensors (Tensor)and a fusion method based on the inversion de matrices (Inversion).These three methods were first evaluated using statistical parameters between images obtained by fusionand the "perfect" image as well as the estimation results of biophysical parameters obtained by minimizingthe radiative transfer model in water.

<p>Kvicksilverutsläppen har på senare år minskat i omfattning men utsläpp sker fortfarande och det finns ett stort lager i naturen. Oorganiskt kvicksilver är relativt ofarligt för levande organismer, men i akvatiska miljöer kan sulfatreducerande bakterier under syrefria förhållanden omvandla oorganiskt kvicksilver till den betydligt mer skadliga formen metylkvicksilver, meHg, som även är mer biotillgängligt än oorganiskt kvicksilver. Kvicksilver biomagnifieras uppåt i trofinivåerna, från att vara lägst halter i plankton och bottenfauna till att vara högst halter i rovfiskar. Kvicksilver ackumuleras även i fiskars muskelvävnad vilket innebär att yngre fiskar har lägre Hg-halter än gamla och stora individer. På grund av detta finns kostråd framtagna av Livsmedelsverket. Saluförd abborre, liksom ett flertal andra fiskarter, får inneha maximalt 0,5 mg Hg/kg fiskmuskel (färskvikt) och för gädda är gränsen satt till 1 mg Hg/kg fiskmuskel (färskvikt). Organiskt kvicksilver kan påverka foster negativt, och därför bör kvinnor i fertil ålder i största möjliga mån undvika kvicksilverrik fisk.</p><p> </p><p>Examensarbetet syftar till att belysa kvicksilversituationen i Stockholms skärgård för stationär kustfisk. Information har samlats in dels genom en litteraturstudie och dels genom fältundersökningar utförda av IVL Svenska Miljöinstitutet. Genom statistisk analys och stegvis multipel regression visades att kvicksilverhalten i sediment, vattnets klorofyllhalt och områdets vattenvolym bidrog med förklaringsgrad till halten Hg i fisk. Utifrån de mest signifikanta förklarande variablerna togs en statistisk modell fram i syfte att kunna prediktera teoretiska kvicksilverhalter i fisk. Olika modellkombinationer testades och utgående från en modellvalidering valdes den bästa modellen ut. Dess förklaringsgrad är 81 % där kvicksilverhalten i sediment är modellens enda variabel.</p><p> </p><p>Kvicksilversituationen i Stockholms skärgårds kustområden visades grafiskt med hjälp av interpolerade GIS-kartor. Samma områdesavgränsningar användes som i SMHI:s havsområderegister. Det visades att situationen över lag är relativt god, med undantag för de centrala delarna av Stockholm och på så vis kan Stockholm ses som en förorenande punktkälla.</p> / <p>Mercury emissions have been reduced in recent years but the discharges still exist and there exist a great mercury stock out in the nature. Inorganic mercury is relatively harmless for living organisms but during shortage of oxygen, sulphur reducing bacteria can transform inorganic mercury into the considerable more toxic substance methyl mercury, meHg, that are more bio available than inorganic mercury. Mercury biomagnify upwards the trophic levels, where the lowest content exists in algae and sediment living fauna and the highest content exist in predator fishes. Mercury also accumulates in fishes muscle tissue, meaning that young fishes have lower mercury content than old and big individuals. Food advices from the Swedish food agency exist because of this. Perch offered for sale are allowed to have a content of maximum 0.5 mg Hg/kg fish muscle (wet weight) and for pike the upper boundary content is 1 mg Hg/kg fish muscle (wet weight). Inorganic mercury can affect foetus negatively, and therefore women in fertile age should avoid fish with high mercury content for as long as possible.</p><p> </p><p>The aim of this exam work is to illustrate the mercury situation in the archipelago of Stockholm regarding stationary coast fish. Information was collected through a literature study and by field examines done by IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute Ltd. Through statistical analyses and stepwise multiple regression it was shown that the mercury content in sediment, chlorophyll and the water volume of the area contributed by statistical explanation to the mercury concentration in fish. On the basis of the most significant variables a statistical model was created, with the purpose of predicting theoretical mercury contents in fish. Different model combinations were tested and by a model validation the best model were chosen. Its statistical explanation is 81 % were the mercury content in the sediment is the only input variable to the model.</p><p> </p><p>The mercury situation in the Stockholm archipelago was presented graphically by interpolated maps created with GIS. The same area boundary as SMHI’s maritime registry was used. It was shown that the situation in general is relatively good, with the exception of the central parts of Stockholm. Because of this Stockholm can be seen as a polluting point source.</p>

Kvicksilverutsläppen har på senare år minskat i omfattning men utsläpp sker fortfarande och det finns ett stort lager i naturen. Oorganiskt kvicksilver är relativt ofarligt för levande organismer, men i akvatiska miljöer kan sulfatreducerande bakterier under syrefria förhållanden omvandla oorganiskt kvicksilver till den betydligt mer skadliga formen metylkvicksilver, meHg, som även är mer biotillgängligt än oorganiskt kvicksilver. Kvicksilver biomagnifieras uppåt i trofinivåerna, från att vara lägst halter i plankton och bottenfauna till att vara högst halter i rovfiskar. Kvicksilver ackumuleras även i fiskars muskelvävnad vilket innebär att yngre fiskar har lägre Hg-halter än gamla och stora individer. På grund av detta finns kostråd framtagna av Livsmedelsverket. Saluförd abborre, liksom ett flertal andra fiskarter, får inneha maximalt 0,5 mg Hg/kg fiskmuskel (färskvikt) och för gädda är gränsen satt till 1 mg Hg/kg fiskmuskel (färskvikt). Organiskt kvicksilver kan påverka foster negativt, och därför bör kvinnor i fertil ålder i största möjliga mån undvika kvicksilverrik fisk.   Examensarbetet syftar till att belysa kvicksilversituationen i Stockholms skärgård för stationär kustfisk. Information har samlats in dels genom en litteraturstudie och dels genom fältundersökningar utförda av IVL Svenska Miljöinstitutet. Genom statistisk analys och stegvis multipel regression visades att kvicksilverhalten i sediment, vattnets klorofyllhalt och områdets vattenvolym bidrog med förklaringsgrad till halten Hg i fisk. Utifrån de mest signifikanta förklarande variablerna togs en statistisk modell fram i syfte att kunna prediktera teoretiska kvicksilverhalter i fisk. Olika modellkombinationer testades och utgående från en modellvalidering valdes den bästa modellen ut. Dess förklaringsgrad är 81 % där kvicksilverhalten i sediment är modellens enda variabel.   Kvicksilversituationen i Stockholms skärgårds kustområden visades grafiskt med hjälp av interpolerade GIS-kartor. Samma områdesavgränsningar användes som i SMHI:s havsområderegister. Det visades att situationen över lag är relativt god, med undantag för de centrala delarna av Stockholm och på så vis kan Stockholm ses som en förorenande punktkälla. / Mercury emissions have been reduced in recent years but the discharges still exist and there exist a great mercury stock out in the nature. Inorganic mercury is relatively harmless for living organisms but during shortage of oxygen, sulphur reducing bacteria can transform inorganic mercury into the considerable more toxic substance methyl mercury, meHg, that are more bio available than inorganic mercury. Mercury biomagnify upwards the trophic levels, where the lowest content exists in algae and sediment living fauna and the highest content exist in predator fishes. Mercury also accumulates in fishes muscle tissue, meaning that young fishes have lower mercury content than old and big individuals. Food advices from the Swedish food agency exist because of this. Perch offered for sale are allowed to have a content of maximum 0.5 mg Hg/kg fish muscle (wet weight) and for pike the upper boundary content is 1 mg Hg/kg fish muscle (wet weight). Inorganic mercury can affect foetus negatively, and therefore women in fertile age should avoid fish with high mercury content for as long as possible.   The aim of this exam work is to illustrate the mercury situation in the archipelago of Stockholm regarding stationary coast fish. Information was collected through a literature study and by field examines done by IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute Ltd. Through statistical analyses and stepwise multiple regression it was shown that the mercury content in sediment, chlorophyll and the water volume of the area contributed by statistical explanation to the mercury concentration in fish. On the basis of the most significant variables a statistical model was created, with the purpose of predicting theoretical mercury contents in fish. Different model combinations were tested and by a model validation the best model were chosen. Its statistical explanation is 81 % were the mercury content in the sediment is the only input variable to the model.   The mercury situation in the Stockholm archipelago was presented graphically by interpolated maps created with GIS. The same area boundary as SMHI’s maritime registry was used. It was shown that the situation in general is relatively good, with the exception of the central parts of Stockholm. Because of this Stockholm can be seen as a polluting point source.