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 & Indigenous. The organization has 665 authors who have published 1870 publications receiving 39129 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Rovaniemi & Lapin yliopisto.

Land use and land cover change in Arctic Russia: ecological and social implications of industrial development.

Abstract: Sizable areas in northwestern arctic Russia have undergone fundamental change in recent decades as the exploration of vast hydrocarbon deposits has intensified. We undertook two case studies on the influence of oil and gas activities within neighbouring federal districts in the tundra zone. Employing a strongly interdisciplinary approach, we studied the ecological, spatial and social dimensions of the visible and perceived changes in land use and land cover. Our data are derived from field sampling, remote sensing and intensive participant observation with indigenous Nenets reindeer herders and non-indigenous workers. Important trends include the rapid expansion of infrastructure, a large influx of workers who compete for freshwater fish, and extensive transformation from shrub- to grass- and sedge-dominated tundra. The latter represents an alternative ecosystem state that is likely to persist indefinitely. On terrain disturbed by off-road vehicle traffic, reindeer pastures’ vegetation regenerates with fewer species among which grasses and sedges dominate, thus reducing biodiversity. To have maximum forage value such pastures must be accessible and free of trash, petro-chemicals and feral dogs. We found that a wide range of direct and indirect impacts, both ecological and social, accumulate in space and time such that the combined influence is effectively regional rather than local, depending in part on the placement of facilities. While incoming workers commonly commit poaching, they also serve as exchange partners, making barter for goods possible in remote locations. In general, the same positive and negative impacts of the presence of industry were mentioned in each study region. Even using very high-resolution remote sensing data (Quickbird-2) it is not possible to determine fully the amount of degraded territory in modern oil and gas fields. With regard to policy, both biophysical and social impacts could be substantially reduced if information flow between herders and workers were to be optimized.

Changes in geometry and subglacial drainage of Midre Lovénbreen, Svalbard, determined from digital elevation models

Abstract: Digital elevation models (DEMs) of the bed and surface of the polythermal Midre Lovenbreen, Svalbard, are used to identify changes in glacier geometry between 1977 and 1995. The calculated mean annual mass balance (−0·61 m water equivalent (w.e.) a−1) is more negative than that derived from field measurements (−0·35 m w.e. a−1), although the error associated with this value (±0·7 m a−1) suggests that the difference may be accounted for by errors. However, similar discrepancies between DEM-based and field-based measurements of mass balance have been reported elsewhere in Svalbard. Although errors may be responsible, patterns of surface elevation change may also be explained in terms of patterns of ablation, accumulation, and dynamics. The theoretical structure of the subglacial drainage system is modelled using different assumptions about subglacial water pressure, in 1977 and 1995. These reconstructions are compared with the observed positions of proglacial outlet streams. Decreasing subglacial water pressure results in a decrease in the influence of surface morphology and an increase in the role of the bed topography on drainage routing, which generally leads to more dispersed drainage. Long-term changes in the position of proglacial outlet streams occur as a result of changes in glacier geometry, but short-term changes may also occur in response to early season water pressures, controlled by meteorological and hydrological conditions. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

On-call stress among Finnish anaesthetists

Abstract: We investigated on-call stress and its consequences among anaesthetists. A questionnaire was sent to all working Finnish anaesthetists (n = 550), with a response rate of 60%. Four categories of on-call workload and a sum variable of stress symptoms were formed. The anaesthetists had the greatest on-call workload among Finnish physicians. In our sample, 68% felt stressed during the study. The most important causes of stress were work and combining work with family. The study showed a positive correlation between stress symptoms and on-call workload (p = 0.009). Moderate burnout was present in 18%vs 45% (p = 0.008) and exhaustion in 32% and 68% (p = 0.015), in the lowest vs highest workload category, respectively. The symptoms were significantly associated with stress, gender, perceived sleep deprivation, suicidal tendencies and sick leave. Being frequently on call correlates with severe stress symptoms and these symptoms are associated with sick leave.