University of Lapland

About: University of Lapland is a education organization based out in Rovaniemi, Finland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Arctic & Context (language use). The organization has 665 authors who have published 1870 publications receiving 39129 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Rovaniemi & Lapin yliopisto.

A World Full of Mergers: The Nordic Countries in a Global Context

Abstract: In this introductory chapter to the volume, the editors present the findings from a literature review undertaken on the topic, and link classical organizational perspectives to the study of merger processes involving higher education institutions. The chapter provides a brief overview of developments across Nordic higher education by referring to Burton Clark’s famous ‘triangle of coordination’. The authors conclude by sketching out the rationale and aim of the comparative study, the ways in which the volume is organized and by providing a short summary of its individual contributions.

Reindeer use of low Arctic tundra correlates with landscape structure

Abstract: Rapid climate change in Arctic regions is linked to the expansion of woody taxa (shrubification), and an increase in biomass as tundra becomes greener. Reindeer and caribou (Rangifer tarandus) are considered able to suppress vegetative greening through grazing and trampling. Quantifying reindeer use of different land cover types can help us understand their impact on the growth and recruitment of deciduous shrubs, many of which serve as fodder (e.g. Salix spp.), in favourable habitats, such as naturally denuded landslides in permafrost areas. Understanding the spatial distribution of reindeer pressure on vegetation is important to project future patterns of greening, albedo, snow capture, active layer development, and the overall resilience of tundra rangelands under ongoing climate change. Here we quantify reindeer habitat use within the low Arctic tundra zone of Yamal, West Siberia estimated from pellet-group counts, and also how active layer thickness (ALT) relates to reindeer use. Our results confirm intensive use by reindeer of terrain with high June-July time integrated normalised difference vegetation index, steeper slopes, ridges, upper slopes and valleys, and a preference for low erect shrub tundra. These sites also seem to have a shallower ALT compared to sites less used by reindeer, although we did not find any direct relationship between ALT and reindeer use. Low use of tall Salix habitats indicated that reindeer are unlikely to suppress the growth of already tall-erect woody taxa, while they exert maximum pressure in areas where shrubs are already low in stature, e.g. ridgetops. Reindeer ability to suppress the regrowth and expansion of woody taxa in landslide areas (i.e. concavities) seems limited, as these types were less used. Our results suggest that reindeer use of the landscape and hence their effects on the landscape correlates with the landscape structure. Future research is needed to evaluate the role and efficiency of reindeer as ecosystem engineers capable of mediating the effects of climate change.

Exploring learners’ emotions and emotional profiles in simulation-based medical education

Abstract: Medical education can be emotionally charged for many reasons, while simulation-based activities in particular are designed to generate emotional reactions. However, few studies have concentrated on the relationship between learning and emotions in this field, despite widespread interest in the topic in other areas. The aim of this research was to study the emotional experiences of participants before and after simulation-based teaching and learning activities. Data were collected from 238 participants using pre- and post-questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics, a paired samples t test, factor analysis, Cronbach’s alpha, a linear regression analysis and k-means cluster analysis. Participants were clustered into engaged, neutral and anxious learners based on their emotional profiles. The results showed that simulation-based learning invoked mainly positive emotions, whereas negative emotions decreased to a slight degree during an educational course. This study also revealed variables that may explain emotional variations. The article provides practical implications of the findings for simulation-based medical education and higher education in general. Implications for practice or policy: Positive emotions in simulation-based education can be promoted by challenging participants and providing activities at the appropriate level of difficulty. Learners may benefit from individual guidance and support, reducing their anxiety and building their sense of medical competence. Being cognisant of emotional subgroups among participants can help tailor instruction for individual learners. Simulation-based education can be targeted to educate learners to cope with difficult emotions and how to seek help.

Tundra disturbance studies IV. Species establishment on anthropogenic primary surfaces, Yamal peninsula, northwest Siberia, Russia 1

Abstract: Large‐scale industrial development in northwest Siberia is resulting in extensive disturbance in a region of low arctic tundra with few data on vegetation responses to such change. Groups of plant species are described for a variety of human‐induced surfaces four years after their creation, as well as in adjoining control areas. Ordination and floristic classification reveal active roadsides to be similar to abandoned lowland sand quarries. Constrained ordination indicates a gradient of soil pH, with values being highest in sand quarries and on roadsides. Rorippa palustris and Polygonum humifusum ruderal species with a pronounced southerly range were among the dominant plants along roadsides and in lowland sand quarries. These are presumed to have migrated north along the road corridor. Floristics in upland primary seres reflected well their proximal natural communities, with 50–90% of the observed colonists present in the adjoining tundra. This was not the case in lowland seres, where colonists ...