In this dissertation, an ensemble non-uniform spectral feature selection and a kernel density decision fusion framework are proposed for the classification of hyperspectral data using a support vector machine classifier. Hyperspectral data has more number of bands and they are always highly correlated. To utilize the complete potential, a feature selection step is necessary. In an ensemble situation, there are mainly two challenges: (1) Creating diverse set of classifiers in order to achieve a higher classification accuracy when compared to a single classifier. This can either be achieved by having different classifiers or by having different subsets of features for each classifier in the ensemble. (2) Designing a robust decision fusion stage to fully utilize the decision produced by individual classifiers. This dissertation tests the efficacy of the proposed approach to classify hyperspectral data from different applications. Since these datasets have a small number of training samples with larger number of highly correlated features, conventional feature selection approaches such as random feature selection cannot utilize the variability in the correlation level between bands to achieve diverse subsets for classification. In contrast, the approach proposed in this dissertation utilizes the variability in the correlation between bands by dividing the spectrum into groups and selecting bands from each group according to its size. The intelligent decision fusion proposed in this approach uses the probability density of training classes to produce a final class label. The experimental results demonstrate the validity of the proposed framework that results in improvements in the overall, user, and producer accuracies compared to other state-of-the-art techniques. The experiments demonstrate the ability of the proposed approach to produce more diverse feature selection over conventional approaches.

The Swedish Food Agency is responsible for giving guidelines and recommendations for businesses producing, importing, selling, and serving agricultural products in Sweden. The general discourse of these guidelines and recommendations are based on the notion of safeguarding the consumer from potential risks and harms. The discourse is further based on the European Union legislation of good governance which dictates the terms and conditions for businesses operating withing the EU market. In this explorative feminist decolonial discourse analysis I am analyzing the guidelines and recommendations for businesses dealing with agricultural products in Sweden communicated on the Swedish Food Agency’s website. The analysis is investigating the colonial epistemic and ontological assumptions underpinning the discourse. The analysis concludes that the discourse is based on modern/colonial assumptions about whom is to be kept safe and from what, and which products, countries, and territories are not safe to consume from. The discourse assumes humans as a homogenous group separate from animals and plants, and assumes that modern-scientific knowledge production will safekeep all humans and animals, and that food, supplements, and medicines should be understood as separate categories of foods. It is within and through these assumptions that the coloniality is being produced and reproduced in the discourse of the Swedish Food Agency. The discourse allows little to no room for other ontological and epistemic ways of relation to production, distribution and consumption of agricultural products. The discourse is limiting Swedish businesses in their ability to explore decolonial and unconventional business practices through border thinking, being, and doing at the colonial difference by engaging with other ways of relating to the world and the production, distribution, and consumption of food of the land.

<p>The first flexible chip-less RFID temperature sensor system for food monitoring to have a  resolution of 0.2  <strong>°</strong>C for temperature measurements between 79  <strong>°</strong>C and -22.8  <strong>°</strong>C is introduced. This  system has a significant improvement in temperature range compared to current flexible RFID  sensors and can provide high accuracy measurements for real time food monitoring at the system  level. Flexible sensors provide low-cost, better flexibility, and longer service life; hence, flexible  sensor systems can provide a new future for food monitoring in commercial applications. The  proposed system presents a new feature and enables a food monitoring system that utilizes a  flexible sensor system. The system introduced in this paper enables a wireless measurement system  providing 100 dB dynamic range with 160 Msps and 16-bit resolution for precise temperature  measurements that are critical for food quality within 100  <strong>°</strong>C temperature range. The full sensing  system is designed, tested and measurements results are confirmed to be within expected accuracy </p>

<p><a>Facing challenges for increasing demands for agricultural land, water, and energy, aquaponics has emerged as a sustainable solution that can contribute to global food production while minimizing environmental impacts. In a recirculating aquaponic system, the waste produced by aquatic animals is processed through microbes and breaks down into compounds for plant uptake. By recycling nutrients and water between hydroponics and aquaculture systems, aquaponics can reduce the waste of fish feeds and the use of chemical fertilizers and use 90-99% less water than conventional aquaculture. However, a few studies reported that nutrient use efficiency is still low in aquaponics, and only 10-37% and 20-30% of nitrogen (N) is typically assimilated by plants and fish, respectively. Yield reduction is commonly reported for plants in aquaponics. Due to the unique water physical and chemical environment, the microbiomes are more diverse in aquaponics than in hydroponics. While the most important microbial group is considered nitrifying bacteria, <i>Nitrosomonas</i> spp. and <i>Nitrobacter</i> spp. mediating the N conversion process from ammonia into nitrate,</a> some plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) in soils were found in aquaponics indicating their important function in the system. Meanwhile, the use of aquaculture wastewater can introduce and promote the growth of harmful microbial pathogens, posing a food safety concern. </p> The goal of this research is to investigate the effects of microbiomes in aquaponic systems. A series of studies were conducted to examine the effects of different bacterial groups on food crop yield and quality and investigate the potential risk of contamination with enteric pathogens in aquaponic systems. The specific objectives are: to 1) examine whether enteric pathogens present in aquaponics and hydroponics; 2) investigate the effects of plant age and root damage on internalization of STEC <i>E. coli</i> in leafy vegetables and herbs. 3) examine the effects of pH on the plant yield in aquaponics; and 4) investigate the effects of PGPB on lettuce in aquaponics and hydroponics3. The data obtained from this research will fill the knowledge gap and provide new management strategies for cultivating crops in aquaponics, which will greatly promote the application of aquaponics to provide a solution for the increasing food demands in the future.

Behovet av att se över kopplingarna mellan livsmedelsförsörjningen, hållbarhet och suveränitet - vid tillhandahållandet av livsmedel - har ökat i och med en instabil och osäker omvärld. En ökad lokal och småskalig livsmedelsproduktion skulle på ett nationellt plan kunna göra livsmedelssystemet mer robust och resilient vid eventuella störningar. Denna studie avser att ge en bred bild av konsumenters attityd, engagemang, kunskap och beteende kring beredskapsfrågan, livsmedelssäkerhet samt konsumtion av lokalproducerade varor. Studien avser också undersöka Sveriges nationella ambitionsnivå för att främja utvecklingen av en hållbar, långsiktigt och konkurrenskraftig livsmedelskedja och på vilket sätt samhället bidrar eller kan bidra till att underlätta och stimulera den typen av näringsverksamhet. Resultatet visar att det råder en stark positiv attityd, medelhög kunskapsnivå, medelhögt engagemang samt starkt positivt beteende bland respondenterna. Resultatet visar även att inställningen till lokalproducerade livsmedel är positiv och att den framför allt kan härledas till känslan av samhörighet och värnandet om den lokala levande landsbygden. Gällande beredskapsfrågan så råder det bland respondenterna en tydlig koppling till småskalig och lokalproducerad livsmedelsproduktion såväl som till självförsörjning. Det föreligger dock stora hinder med småskaliga verksamheter i form av pris och tillgänglighet, både i form av utbud, öppettider och kommunikation. Det är idag mest resursstarka konsumentgrupper som köper lokalproducerat och det finns en risk för en ökande segregation i detta. Staten skulle kunna driva på för att få på plats en definition av lokalproducerade livsmedel samt arbeta med mjuka styrmedel såsom exempelvis miljömärkningar. De skulle också kunna höja taket för direkta upphandlingar inom ramen för EU-direktivet om offentlig upphandling så att kommunerna kan köpa in en större andel lokalproducerade livsmedel i sin offentliga upphandling. / The requirement to review the links between food security, sustainability, and sovereignty - in the provision of food - has increased in an uncertain and unstable environment. Increased local and small-scale food production could, on a national level, make the food system more robust and resilient in the event of disturbances and crises. This study intends to give a broad picture of consumers' attitude, commitment, knowledge and behavior regarding preparedness, food safety and consumption of locally produced food. The study also intends to examine Sweden's national ambition to promote the development of a sustainable, long-term, and competitive food chain and in what way society contributes or can contribute to facilitating and stimulating that type of business. The result shows that there is a strong positive attitude, medium level of knowledge, medium commitment and strong positive behavior among the respondents. The results also show that the attitude towards locally produced food among consumers is positive and can be mainly attributed to the feeling of belonging and the protection of the local living countryside. Regarding the issue of preparedness, there is a clear connection to small-scale and locally produced food production as well as self-sufficiency among the respondents. However, there are major obstacles regarding the price and availability, both in terms of range, opening hours and communication. It is today the most resourceful consumer groups in the society that are able to buy locally produced products and there is a risk of increasing segregation in this. The state could also push to get a definition of locally produced food in place and work with soft control instruments such as, for example, an environmental label. They could also raise the amount for direct procurement within the framework of the EU-directive on public procurement so that the municipalities can buy a greater proportion of locally produced food in their public procurement.

For years the issue of food waste has been recognized and quantified; however, food safety issues often go unrecognized as a source of food waste. One objective of this research is to estimate quantities and monetary value of fruits and vegetables implicated in food safety recalls, and thus wasted. Using publicly available data we identified all recalls involving vegetable or fruit commodities contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, pathogenic E. coli, or Salmonella during 2015-2018. When quantities were provided, monetary value of recalled product was calculated using USDA ERS 2016 average retail prices. Although data limitations only allowed analysis of 17% of the recalls that met the criteria of this study, we estimated an annual loss of 38 million pounds and $61 million in revenue. Overall this shows that food safety issues can result in food waste, therefore mitigation strategies are needed. There are many ways that produce can become contaminated, however contaminated soils are a potential source of produce contamination and treatments to mitigate this risk while maintaining soil health is lacking. Current biofumigation methods that use glucosinolate hydrolysis products in mustard seed meal to control plant pathogens could also be effective against foodborne pathogens in soil. The purpose of this research is to determine the fate of E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and L. monocytogenes in soil treated with Brassica spp seed meal and plant material. Seed meals were successful in reducing pathogen concentrations in soil, significant reductions (p < 0.05) of E. coli O157:H7, L. monocytogenes, and Salmonella were observed in soil over 72 hours with the addition of 1.0 and 1.5 g of mustard seed meal. Increasing the seed meal concentration did not significantly (p > 0.05) increase the observed log reduction for L. monocytogenes or Salmonella, reductions ranged from 5.6 – 5.9 log CFU/g. However, for E. coli O157:H7 seed meal concentration was significant (p < 0.05). A 5.7 log CFU/g decrease was observed when 1.5 g of seed meal was used which was larger than 3.5 log CFU/g reduction observed with 1.0 g. Findings suggest that biofumigation with mustard seed meal could potentially be used to reduce E. coli O157:H7, L. monocytogenes, and Salmonella in contaminated soil. However, the use of plant material was not as successful as the use of the processed seed meals. In soil or in the absence of soil Brassica spp. plant material at 10% 15%, and 75% significantly increased E. coli O157:H7, L. monocytogenes, and Salmonella concentrations (p < 0.05). The results of these studies support literature indicating Brassica spp. processed plant products, like seed meals or extracts may be a more effective strategy in reducing human pathogen concentrations in contaminated agricultural soils. While the process of Biofumigation using Brassica spp. cover crops has been successful in eliminating plant pests from agricultural soils, due to its low isothiocyanate release efficiency and reactivity in soil organic matter, it may not be sufficient as a soil decontamination method against human pathogens.

This PhD dissertation work delves into critical issues within the forestry business related to carbon sequestration, land value maximization and climate change vulnerability. The study proposes different tools to enhance the efficiency and outcomes of forest practices. Chapter two involves an enhanced forest rotation deferral methodology for carbon dioxide sequestration, focusing on the forest's final product destination passed the Faustmann optimal rotation age. Instead of giving the same value for pulp wood and saw timber, the research acknowledges the benefit of increased carbon dioxide stored in saw timber materials. To drive landowners to the socially optimum rotation age, where the marginal benefits of extended carbon storage equal the private marginal cost of postponing forest rotation, an incentive based mechanism is proposed, using subsidies. Through sensitivity analysis on the underlying assumptions, the socially optimal rotation is consistently greater than the currently applied one-year harvesting deferral, and smaller than longer extensions, such as 20 years deferred rotations. In chapter three, a novel approach to design Streamside Management Zones widths that vary according to different landscape characteristics is presented, as opposed to the constant command and control width currently used in Virginia. This adaptive approach allows landowners to maximize land value, while ensuring water quality protection. To determine the sediment retention equation as a function of SMZ slope, width, and soil texture, we use data derived from the Watershed Erosion Prediction Project. By simulating different regulatory constraints concerning accepted sediment delivery, the study shows the tradeoff between water quality and land expectation value through the changes in the opportunity cost of Streamside Management Zones. Lastly, chapter four centers on a dataset collected in India about tree planting species choice followed by a second model that incorporates socio-economic, as well as revealed preference management choices, and tree planting species as explanatory variables in a binary crop loss model. The findings reveal that tree planting, except for fruit trees, compared to agricultural crops, diminishes the household's probability of facing losses due to climate change, extreme weather events and pest attacks. Specifically, there is a 14.4% reduction in the probability of facing a loss when planting Eucalypt and Casuarina trees, a 7.6% reduction when planting palm trees, and 13.5% reduction when planting multiple trees, which evidences how trees are less vulnerable. Throughout this dissertation, the interdisciplinary research uses rigorous methodologies, comprehensive data analysis, and environmental economics theoretical foundation, culminating in valuable insights and potential policy recommendations to enhance forest practices in environmental challenging times. / Doctor of Philosophy / Climate change is a reality and forest practices can help us mitigate some of its consequences. However, forest practices are driven by private decisions that prioritize individual net benefits, often neglecting the broader ecosystem services forests provide. To enhance the collective benefits that forests provide to society, while maximizing the private economic return, it is crucial to employ tools to drive landowners to a socially optimal outcome. This dissertation aims to improve forest practices in three key environmental areas: carbon dioxide sequestration, land value optimization with water quality conservation, and crop vulnerability. The second chapter introduces a novel harvesting deferral methodology for carbon dioxide sequestration, which assigns greater value for saw timber production due to its longer product lifespan, thereby enhancing carbon dioxide sequestration away from the atmosphere. We align private landowner and social planner's interests and propose a subsidy scheme to incentivize landowners to postpone their forest rotation age until the marginal cost of doing so equals the societal marginal benefit of the deferred rotation. The outcomes are contingent on the underlying assumptions, and in this study, all rotation deferrals were greater than the current one-year rotation deferral contract, and smaller than 20 years. In the third chapter, an alternative approach to defining Streamside Management Zones (SMZ) width is proposed. Rather than employing a fixed width value across various conditions, a varied SMZ width is suggested, according to specific landscape characteristics. The study formulates the landowner's maximization problem, which is constrained to a fixed sediment delivery value. By simulating sediment retention delivery data using the Watershed Erosion Prediction Project, the research shows the opportunity cost of water quality through forgone timber revenue. Lastly, considering the direct link between climate change and food security, the dissertation utilizes data collected in India on household characteristics and revealed management choices. The first objective is to model the factors influencing the tree species planting decision, followed by a second model that focuses on how tree planting may reduce the probability of facing losses. The findings indicate that tree planting, except for fruits, reduces the probability of losses compared to planting agricultural crops. Throughout the dissertation, different methodologies, data analysis, and interdisciplinary research with potential policy implications are presented.

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