Invertasen spielen eine zentrale Rolle im Metabolismus der Pflanzen und werden über eine Vielzahl von Faktoren in ihrer Regulation beeinflusst. Invertasen mit pH-Optimum im sauren Bereich liegen dabei als vakuoläre und zellwandgebundene Isoformen einer Genfamilie in den Pflanzen vor. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurden zum ersten Mal 9 putative Invertasen aus der Nutzpflanze Brassica napus, sowie 4 weitere putative Mitglieder der bereits bekannten Tabakinvertasenfamilie isoliert und Expressionsprofile für die neu klonierten Invertasen erstellt. Symplastisch isolierte Zellen, wie z. B. Pollen und Pollenschläuche, sind auf die Expression zellwandgebundener Invertasen besonders angewiesen, da sie Kohlen-hydrate primär in Form von Fructose und Glucose aufnehmen, die über die Invertasen-vermittelte Spaltung aus Saccharose gebildet werden. An Tabak hatten Goetz et al. (2001) gezeigt, dass eine Inhibierung dieser pollen¬spezi¬fischen Invertaseaktivität zu männlich sterilen Pflanzen führt. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurde nachgewiesen, dass durch Inhibierung der Zellwandinvertase¬aktivität mittels Antisense-Technik oder Expression des proteinogenen Invertase-Inhbitors AtC/VIF2 auch männlich sterile Arabidopsis-Pflanzen generiert werden können. Ein Aktivitätsvergleich der Invertase-promotoren von Nin88 aus Tabak und AtcwINV2 aus Arabidopsis im jeweiligen homo- und heterologen System zeigte jedoch, dass der Einsatz dieser pollenspezifischen Promotoren zur Erzeugung männlich steriler Pflanzen über Familiengrenzen hinweg nicht möglich ist. Neben ihrer Funktion als Energieträger stellen Kohlenhydrate auch Signalmoleküle dar, die in die Regulation zentraler Prozesse der Pflanzen eingreifen. Anhand von Keimungsanalysen mit Arabidopsis-Pollen wurde festgestellt, dass Hexokinase-unabhängige Signalingwege involviert sein müssen, um ein Auskeimen der Pollen zu ermöglichen. Dabei kann die Hexokinase-vermittelte Inhibition der Pollenkeimung vermutlich durch die Beteiligung anderer Signaling-Wege aufgehoben werden. Es wurde außerdem die zuckerabhängige Ausbildung blasenartiger Strukturen an Arabidopsis-Pollen nachgewiesen, die vermutlich durch einen Zucker-spezifischen Abbruch des Pollenschlauchwachstums gebildet werden. / Invertases with acid pH-optimum play a central role in plant metabolism and are regulated by numerous biotic and abiotic factors. They consist of vacuolar and extracellular isoforms of a gene family in plants. For the first time 9 putative members of the invertase family of Brassica napus, as well as 4 additional putative tobacco acid invertases were cloned in this work and expression profiles were analysed. Symplastically isolated cells, like pollen and pollen tubes, in particular depend on the expression of extracellular invertases, since they prefer the uptake of glucose and fructose. These hexoses are generated by the invertase-mediated cleavage of sucrose. Goetz et al. (2001) have shown on tobacco that inhibition of the pollen specific invertase activity lead to male sterile plants. In this work it was shown that inhibition of cell wall invertase activity via antisense technology or expression of the proteinaceous invertase inhbitor AtC/VIF2 also causes male sterility in Arabidopsis thaliana. Comparison of the promoter activities of the invertases Nin88 (tobacco) and AtcwINV2 (Arabidopsis) in the corresponding homo- and heterologous systems revealed that the use of these pollen specific promoters for generating male sterile plants is not possible in diverse plant families. Besides their function as energy source, carbohydrates are signaling molecules that influcence regulation of central processes in the plants. On the basis of germination assays with Arabidopsis pollen, it was shown that hexokinase-independent signaling pathways must be involved to permit normal pollen germination. In this context, hexokinase-mediated inhibition of pollen germination might be overrode by the involvement of other signaling pathways. In addition, the sugar-dependent generation of bubble-like structures at Arabidopsis pollen was demonstrated, which might be caused by the sugar-specific interruption of pollen tube growth.

A cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum spp.), por acumular sacarose em altas concentrações tem sido o foco de diversas pesquisas bioquímicas e fisiológicas. A relação entre a atividade fotossintética do tecido fonte da folha e o acúmulo de sacarose no órgão dreno, o colmo, ainda não é bem compreendida. Em estudos prévios observou-se que a atividade fotossintética declina durante a maturação do colmo em cultivares comerciais. As folhas de cana-de-açúcar aparentam possuir a capacidade de aumentar o fornecimento de açúcares para o colmo sob condições de aumento da demanda. E ainda, em plantas superiores, o açúcar tem um importante papel no controle do crescimento e desenvolvimento, no entanto, as vias de sinalização e seus correspondentes mecanismos moleculares e metabólicos, ainda estão sendo decifrados. Porém, as informações a respeito da regulação por açúcares são escassas em cana-de-açúcar. Assim, para compreender os mecanismos relacionados ao acúmulo de sacarose e os mecanismos metabólicos de sinalização de açúcares e análogos, realizou-se ensaios de sinalização exógena de açúcares, acompanhando as alterações do transcriptôma e metabolôma, de modo a relacionar essas informações para obtermos uma visão de biologia sistêmica. A partir deste estudo foi possível identificar relações entre a sinalização de açúcares e seus homólogos, o desenvolvimento da cana-de-açúcar e as diversas vias em que estes podem atuar, tais como; glicólise, transportadores de açúcares, genes sinalizadores, metabolismo de sacarose e trealose. No que se refere ao desenvolvimento da planta, notou-se diferenças temporais na maneira pela qual os açúcares são reconhecidos, podendo estar relacionado às alterações de papel da folha (dreno-fonte) ao longo do desenvolvimento. Observou-se uma sensibilidade maior aos 12 meses, do que aos 4 meses, tanto para a ação dos açúcares quanto para o efeito osmótico, em que houveram maiores alterações no perfil de expressão gênica e na quantidade de metabólitos diferenciais. No entanto, as respostas de alterações de expressão e concentração de metabólitos aparentam ser opostas. E ainda, a concentração ótima de açúcar para desencadear uma sinalização positiva, deve ser posteriormente investigada. / Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.), due the capacity of sucrose accumulation in high concentrations has been the focus in diverse biochemical and physiological studies. The relationship between leaf photosynthesis and sugar accumulation in the sink organ, the culm, is still not fully understood. In previous studies it has been observed that photosynthesis declines during culm maturation in commercial cultivars. Sugarcane leaves appears to posess the capacity to increase the sugars supply at the culm under increased conditions demand. In higher plants, sugar has an important role controlling growth and development, however, the signaling networks and their molecular and metabolic components are still not fully understood. To understand the mechanisms related to sugar accumulation and the metabolic mechanisms of sugar signaling, exogenous sugar signaling assays were performed. Followed by transcriptomics and metabolomics analyzes using a systems biology approach. Through this study it was possible to identify the relationship between the sugars and homologues signaling, the sugarcane development and the diverse pathways where they can act, such as glicolysis, sugar transporters, signaling genes, sucrose and trehalose metabolism. At the plant development, it was possible to notice time differences on the way the sugars were recognized, what can be related to the changing leaf roles, (sink-source) through the development. Also a higher sensitivity at 12 months than 4 months, as for the sugar signaling action or as the osmotic effect was observed, which presented higher expression profile and metabolic amount alteration. However the gene expression and metabolic responses seems to be opposite. Still, an optimal sugar concentration to develop a positive signaling should be forward investigated.

O tratamento de esgoto gera um resíduo, o lodo de esgoto, que tem potencial para promover o crescimento de plantas e aumentar a produtividade de cultivos. O objetivo geral do trabalho desenvolvido foi avaliar como esse resíduo aplicado em plantações de eucalipto altera os estoques de C e N, aspectos do processo fotossintético, da área e nutrientes foliares. O estudo foi conduzido na estação experimental de Itatinga - ESALQ/USP, com aplicação de doses até 40 t/ha de biossólido para cultivo de Eucalyptus grandis. Considerando a biomassa total acima do solo, os eucaliptos que receberam 10 t/ha de biossólido + K e P mineral (10+KP) e adubação mineral completa (AD) produziram, em média, 107,5 t/ha, 63% a mais do que a testemunha; além de maiores valores de conteúdo de C e N na biomassa. Não houve diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos para os conteúdos totais de C (F = 1,3450; p = 0,3096), N (F = 1,2183; p = 0,3536) e conteúdo de N mineral (F = 0,5192; p = 0,7218) no solo. Apenas o C do solo determinado por oxidação úmida foi alterado. A dose de 10 t/ha propiciou aumentos no C Walkley e Black em relação às maiores doses, mostrando que o desenvolvimento das árvores é mais importante para propiciar entradas de material orgânico no sistema do que a própria aplicação do biossólido. A utilização de biossólido alcalino, em superfície, propiciou baixas taxas de decomposição aos 5 anos após aplicação e não contribuiu para aumentar os estoques totais de C e N no solo. Os eucaliptos que receberam nutrientes, seja pela adubação mineral, seja pela aplicação de biossólido apresentaram maior área foliar. A diferença entre o maior IAF (4,3), do tratamento 40+K, e o controle superou uma unidade. As doses de biossólido polimerizado foram correlacionadas positivamente com os teores foliares de N, P, S, e Zn e com a clorofila do eucalipto com 3 meses de idade. Esse biossólido pode aumentar a fotossíntese líquida, quando as medições são realizadas no período da manhã, sendo também capaz de promover aumentos na eficiência do uso da água e no desenvolvimento de eucaliptos jovens. / The wastewater treatment generates a residue, the sewage sludge, that has potential to promote plants growth and to increase its productivity. The general aim of this research was to evaluate how the applied residue in eucalypt plantations modify C and N stocks, aspects of the photosynthetic process, leaf area and leaf nutrients. The study was developed at the experimental station of Itatinga - ESALQ/USP. The experiment was installed with application of rates up to 40 t/ha of biosolids in Eucalyptus grandis plantation. Considering the total biomass above the soil, the eucalypts that received 10 t/ha of biosolids + K and P mineral (10+KP) and complete mineral fertilization (AD) produced, on average, 107.5 t/ha, which represents 63% more than control treatment and larger values of C and N contents in the biomass. There were not significant differences among the treatments for total contents of C (F = 1.3450; p = 0.3096), N (F = 1.2183; p = 0.3536) and mineral N (F = 0.5192; p = 0.7218) in the soil. Just the soil carbon content, determined by wet oxidation, was altered. The 10 t/ha biosolids rate increased the Walkley and Black C in relation to the largest doses, showing that trees development is more important to input organic material in the system than the biosolids application. The alkaline biosolids application to the soil surface resulted in low decomposition rates, 5 years after application, and did not contribute to increase C and N total stocks in the soil. The eucalypts that received nutrients even by mineral fertilization or by biosolids application, presented larger leaf area. The difference between the higher LAI (4.3) observed (treatment 40+K) and the control treatment was one unit. The polymeric biosolids rates were positively correlated with N, P, S, and Zn concentrations and with chlorophyll in eucalypts leaves at 3 months of age. The studied biosolid can increase net photosynthesis, being also capable to promote the water use efficiency and young eucalypts development.

A presente tese envolve um estudo experimental da ebulição convectiva no interior de um dissipador de calor baseado em multi-microcanais. Resultados experimentais para perda de pressão e coeficiente de transferência de calor foram levantados para os hidrocarbonetos R600a (isobutano), R290 (propano) e R1270 (propileno), fluidos com reduzido GWP (Global Warming Potential) e ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential) nulo. O desempenho termo-hidráulico destes fluidos foi avaliado em um dissipador de calor de cobre, contendo cinquenta canais paralelos com seção transversal retangular de 123x494 µm2 , 15 mm de comprimento e área de base de 15x15 mm2. Os experimentos foram realizados para fluxos de calor de até 400 kW/m2, velocidade mássica variando entre 165 e 823 kg/m2s, graus de sub-resfriamento do líquido na entrada da seção de testes de 5, 10 e 15°C e temperaturas de saturação de 21 e 25°C. Os dados experimentais foram amplamente analisados e discutidos, focando o efeito do fluido refrigerante. Oscilações dos sinais de temperatura e pressão foram analisadas parametricamente visando caracterizar efeitos de instabilidades térmicas. Adicionalmente, realizou-se análise comparativa de desempenho dos refrigerantes baseada na 2ª Lei da Termodinâmica. Os dados para hidrocarbonetos foram comparados com resultados de trabalhos prévios para o refrigerante R134a levantados na mesma seção de testes e utilizando a mesma bancada experimental. A partir destes dados, conclui-se que os hidrocarbonetos proporcionam coeficientes de transferência de calor superiores ao R134a. Em geral, o coeficiente de transferência de calor apresenta a seguinte ordem decrescente: R290, R1270, R600a e R134a. No entanto, o R290 necessitou superaquecimentos da parede superiores ao R1270 para iniciar o processo de ebulição. O refrigerante R1270 proporcionou perdas de pressão totais inferiores aos demais fluidos segundo a seguinte ordem decrescente: R600a, R134a, R290 e R1270. O refrigerante R1270 apresentou frequências de oscilação inferiores na temperatura da câmara de saída. Baseado na análise de desempenho da 2ª Lei da Termodinâmica, conclui-se que, as irreversibilidades devido ao processo de transferência de calor foram predominantes quando comparadas àquelas devido à perda de pressão. Através desta análise também constatou-se o melhor desempenho para o refrigerante R290. / The present thesis concerns an experimental study on flow boiling inside a microchannel array. Experimental results for two-phase pressure drop and heat transfer coefficient were acquired for the hydrocarbons R600a (isobutane), R290 (propane) and R1270 (propylene). These fluids present low Global Warming Potential (GWP) and null Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP). The cooling performance of these hydrocarbons were evaluated for a copper heat sink containing fifty parallel microchannels. The microchannels are rectangular with cross section of 123x494 µm2, 15 mm length and a footprint area of 15x15 mm2. The experimental evaluation was performed in a test facility located at the Laboratory of Thermal and Fluid Engineering of School of Engineering of São Carlos, University of Sao Paulo. The experiments were performed for heat fluxes up to 400 kW/m2, mass velocities from 165 to 823 kg/m2s, degrees of liquid subcooling at the test section inlet of 5, 10 and 15°C and saturation temperatures of 21 and 25°C. The experimental data were carefully analyzed and discussed focusing on the effects of the fluid on the heat sink thermal hydraulic performance. Fluctuations in the temperature and pressure were analyzed parametrically in order to evaluate thermal instability effects. Additionally, an exergy analysis was performed to evaluate the refrigerant efficiency during convective evaporation. Subsequently, the parametric effects and performance of hydrocarbons were compared with previous results for refrigerant R134a obtained in the same test facility and under the same experimental conditions. The refrigerant R290 provided heat transfer coefficients higher than R600a and R1270. However, R290 needed a degree of wall superheating for the onset of nucleate boiling higher than R1270. Based on the exergy analysis it was concluded that, the irreversibility associated to the heat transfer process are predominant compared with the irreversibility due to the pressure drop. According to the Second Law analyses it was also concluded R290 as the fluid providing the best performance.

O tratamento de esgoto gera um resíduo, o lodo de esgoto, que tem potencial para promover o crescimento de plantas e aumentar a produtividade de cultivos. O objetivo geral do trabalho desenvolvido foi avaliar como esse resíduo aplicado em plantações de eucalipto altera os estoques de C e N, aspectos do processo fotossintético, da área e nutrientes foliares. O estudo foi conduzido na estação experimental de Itatinga - ESALQ/USP, com aplicação de doses até 40 t/ha de biossólido para cultivo de Eucalyptus grandis. Considerando a biomassa total acima do solo, os eucaliptos que receberam 10 t/ha de biossólido + K e P mineral (10+KP) e adubação mineral completa (AD) produziram, em média, 107,5 t/ha, 63% a mais do que a testemunha; além de maiores valores de conteúdo de C e N na biomassa. Não houve diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos para os conteúdos totais de C (F = 1,3450; p = 0,3096), N (F = 1,2183; p = 0,3536) e conteúdo de N mineral (F = 0,5192; p = 0,7218) no solo. Apenas o C do solo determinado por oxidação úmida foi alterado. A dose de 10 t/ha propiciou aumentos no C Walkley e Black em relação às maiores doses, mostrando que o desenvolvimento das árvores é mais importante para propiciar entradas de material orgânico no sistema do que a própria aplicação do biossólido. A utilização de biossólido alcalino, em superfície, propiciou baixas taxas de decomposição aos 5 anos após aplicação e não contribuiu para aumentar os estoques totais de C e N no solo. Os eucaliptos que receberam nutrientes, seja pela adubação mineral, seja pela aplicação de biossólido apresentaram maior área foliar. A diferença entre o maior IAF (4,3), do tratamento 40+K, e o controle superou uma unidade. As doses de biossólido polimerizado foram correlacionadas positivamente com os teores foliares de N, P, S, e Zn e com a clorofila do eucalipto com 3 meses de idade. Esse biossólido pode aumentar a fotossíntese líquida, quando as medições são realizadas no período da manhã, sendo também capaz de promover aumentos na eficiência do uso da água e no desenvolvimento de eucaliptos jovens. / The wastewater treatment generates a residue, the sewage sludge, that has potential to promote plants growth and to increase its productivity. The general aim of this research was to evaluate how the applied residue in eucalypt plantations modify C and N stocks, aspects of the photosynthetic process, leaf area and leaf nutrients. The study was developed at the experimental station of Itatinga - ESALQ/USP. The experiment was installed with application of rates up to 40 t/ha of biosolids in Eucalyptus grandis plantation. Considering the total biomass above the soil, the eucalypts that received 10 t/ha of biosolids + K and P mineral (10+KP) and complete mineral fertilization (AD) produced, on average, 107.5 t/ha, which represents 63% more than control treatment and larger values of C and N contents in the biomass. There were not significant differences among the treatments for total contents of C (F = 1.3450; p = 0.3096), N (F = 1.2183; p = 0.3536) and mineral N (F = 0.5192; p = 0.7218) in the soil. Just the soil carbon content, determined by wet oxidation, was altered. The 10 t/ha biosolids rate increased the Walkley and Black C in relation to the largest doses, showing that trees development is more important to input organic material in the system than the biosolids application. The alkaline biosolids application to the soil surface resulted in low decomposition rates, 5 years after application, and did not contribute to increase C and N total stocks in the soil. The eucalypts that received nutrients even by mineral fertilization or by biosolids application, presented larger leaf area. The difference between the higher LAI (4.3) observed (treatment 40+K) and the control treatment was one unit. The polymeric biosolids rates were positively correlated with N, P, S, and Zn concentrations and with chlorophyll in eucalypts leaves at 3 months of age. The studied biosolid can increase net photosynthesis, being also capable to promote the water use efficiency and young eucalypts development.

This dissertation focuses on the design, modeling, characterization and experimental verification of a class of nonlinear energy sink, based on a cantilever beam vibrating laterally between two specially shaped surfaces that limit the vibration amplitude, thus providing a variable beam length throughout its deflection, therefore producing a smooth nonlinear restoring force. First, a methodology to evaluate and visualize the energy interactions between the nonlinear energy sink and its host structure is developed. Then, an semi-analytical dynamic model for simulating the device under actual working conditions is proposed, and finally, an experimental verification step is conducted where the numerical results are compared and correlated to the experimental results.<br>

Hillsborough County, Florida is subject to a variety of natural and technological hazards, which have the potential to threaten both the population and the built environment. This research focuses on several natural hazards (coastal flooding, sink hole, and hurricane) and technological hazards (toxic transportation spills and toxic release from fixed storage facilities) and the population that is potentially exposed to these hazards. Social vulnerability for this population was determined using racial composition, gender, age and household rental/ownership status. Both social vulnerability and exposure to hazardous conditions occur as a continuum across geographical space. The determination of who is exposed; the extent of exposure; and the hazardousness of their environment; requires converting this continuum into discreet values. There is little agreement on how this should be accomplished. The goal of this project is to improve on this situation by developing a multiple hazard map and a social vulnerability map using the best available data with a focus on data integration. The resulting maps were used to determine the extent that the community of Hillsborough County is exposed to hazardous conditions and the social vulnerability of that exposed community. The impact of hazard analysis is dependant on the creation of the hazard map. The hazard map can be affected by application of weighting factors to the individual or groups of hazards. Weighted linear combinations were used to examine how the exposed population changes when different hazard models are used. A technique of cumulative frequency mapping was used to examine how the composition of the exposed population changed as the hazard scores increased. This was useful in visualizing that different vulnerable communities were not exposed to hazards equally. This technique will be useful for future vulnerability/hazard assessments. The results of this research show that the most vulnerable populations in Hillsborough County, Florida are not exposed to the most extreme hazards. Instead the preponderance of the population is moderately vulnerable and is exposed to moderate hazards. It is important to focus on this population to help prepare for and respond to hazardous events and to work toward diminishing their social vulnerability.

Heat stress is a well documented hazard across industries. The combination of environmental conditions, work demands, and clothing contribute to heat strain. Left unchecked, heat strain causes changes in an individual's physiological state that can lead to serious and fatal conditions with little warning. Although engineering and administrative controls are the first choice to abate this hazard, they frequently are not feasible. In these cases, personal cooling is often employed. There are three main types of personal cooling: liquid, air, and passive. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. This study focuses on continuous cooling using a portable liquid cooling system (LCS). The LCS used a vest with tubes circulating water from an ice heat sink. The experiment consisted of five males each completing seven tests in random order. The subjects wore work clothes as the control then in conjunction with a firefighter, vapor barrier, and bomb suits. Each suit was tested with and without the benefit of the LCS. All of the tests took place at 35oC dry bulb and 50% relative humidity while attempting to walk 90 minutes on a treadmill at a 300 W metabolic rate. The study found continuous use of the LCS significantly reduced heat storage (S) and the rate of rise of heart rate (rrHR), core temperature (rrTre), and mean skin temperature (rrTsk) for the firefighter and vapor barrier suits as compared to no-cooling. Although the LCS didn't significantly affect the rate of rise for physiological responses with the bomb suit, it did however, significantly increase the endurance time. Interestingly, the study also found when wearing either the vapor barrier or firefighter suits in conjunction with the LCS that the rrHR and rrTre were not significantly different from only wearing work clothes.

Low grade heat sources have a large amount of thermal energy content. Due to low temperature, the conventional power generation technologies result in lower efficiency and hence cannot be used. In order to efficiently generate power, alternate methods need to be used. In this study, a supercritical organic Rankine cycle was used for heat source temperatures varying from 125°C to 200°C. Organic refrigerants with zero ozone depletion potential and their mixtures were selected as working fluid for this study while the cooling water temperature was changed from 10-25°C. Operating pressure of the cycle has been optimized for each fluid at every heat source temperature to obtain the highest thermal efficiency. Energy and exergy efficiencies of the thermodynamic cycle have been obtained as a function of heat source temperature. Efficiency of a thermodynamic cycle depends significantly on the sink temperature. At areas where water cooling is not available and ambient air temperature is high, efficient power generation from low grade heat sources may be a challenge. Use of passive cooling systems coupled with the condenser was studied, so that lower sink temperatures could be obtained. Underground tunnels, buried at a depth of few meters, were used as earth-air-heat-exchanger (EAHE) through which hot ambient air was passed. It was observed that the air temperature could be lowered by 5-10°C in the EAHE. Vertical pipes were used to lower the temperature of water by 5°C by passing it underground. Nocturnal cooling of stored water has been studied that can be used to cool the working fluid in the thermodynamic cycle. It was observed that the water temperature can be lowered by 10-20°C during the night when it is allowed to cool. The amount of water lost was calculated and was found to be approximately 0.1% over 10 days. The different passive cooling systems were studied separately and their effects on the efficiency of the thermodynamic cycle were investigated. They were then combined into a novel condenser design that uses passive cooling technology to cool the working fluid that was selected in the first part of the study. It was observed that the efficiency of the cycle improved by 2-2.5% when passive cooling system was used.

<p>Human existence and welfare depend on functional ecosystems. Ecosystems are critical to sustain life-support services for human well-being. One method that visualizes that humanity requires ecosystem services for resource consumption and assimilation of produced waste is ecological footprints. This study focuses on the ecosystem service carbon sequestering. A quantification of this ecosystem service showed the potential for accumulation of carbon in different ecosystems in Stockholm and Norrbotten County for the years of 1995 and 2004. This study also provides an estimate of the ecosystem area that is appropriated to accumulate all carbon from total carbon dioxide emissions in Stockholm and Norrbotten County respectively. The appropriated ecosystem area represents the ecological footprint. The ecological footprint is also calculated for Stockholms läns landsting`s total carbon dioxide emissions in 2004. The total potential for accumulation of carbon is lower in the ecosystems in Stockholm County in 2004 than in 1995 and the corresponding figure for Norrbotten County has increased. The results indicate that the total potential for carbon accumulation in Stockholm County was approximately 427 kton C year-1 in 1995 and 352 kton C year -1 in 2004. In 1995 the ecosystems in Stockholm County could assimilate 26% of the county’s total emissions whereas the figure for 2004 was 21%. In Norrbotten County, the total potential for accumulation was approximately 2 824 kton C year -1 in 1995 and 2 983 kton C year -1 in 2004. The ecosystem area that is appropriated to assimilate total emissions of carbon dioxide was smaller in 2004 than in 1995 in Stockholm County and larger in Norrbotten County. The ecological footprint for total carbon dioxide emissions in Stockholm County was 12 696 km2 in 1995 and 12 506 km2 in 2004. The corresponding estimate for Norrbotten County indicate that the ecological footprint for total carbon sequestering was 14 457 km2 in 1995 and 32 146 km2 in 2004. The result shows that both regions require large areas of ecosystem to absorb total emissions of carbon dioxide. Stockholms läns landsting´s ecological footprint was 409 km2, which corresponds to 3.3 % of the County’s total ecological footprint. Stockholm County depends on ecosystem areas outside the region for assimilation of the region’s total emissions of carbon dioxide. According to the results Norrbotten County is self-sufficient with regard to the ecosystem service carbon accumulation. This study also includes a discussion of the advantages and limitations of the ecological footprint as a methodology. The received results serve as the starting point for this discussion. Ecological footprints are pedagogic and communicative indicators and can therefore reach out to a broad audience which is a great advantage with the method. It is a static measure and is therefore incapable of giving any presages. Ecological footprints do not take the dynamics and complexity of ecosystems into account and can therefore not provide any information about the possibilities for ecosystems to deliver ecosystem services at the same quality and quantity in the future. The method does not take socio-economic factors into consideration. For these reasons, ecological footprint should not be used as an indicator for sustainability. On the other hand, ecological footprint can illustrate why an ecologically sustainable development is necessary by visualizing that human welfare and existence rely on functional ecosystems.</p>