Parkslide ses som en av de mest problematiska invasiva arterna, vars spridning sker genom kloning. Men reproduktionen kan vara mer komplex än man trott – det har visat sig att parkslide kan korsa sig med närbesläktade arter. I ett förändrat klimat kan detta få konsekvenser för dess spridning i framtiden.

To understand the potential for northward expansion of knotweeds into currently uninvaded regions, it is crucial to assess the potential for sexual reproduction alongside the ongoing vegetative spread. For that reason, we tested viability in Reynoutria japonica seeds in south Sweden, a region where viable seeds had not been previously reported. Knotweed in northernmost Europe has no genetic variation, indicating lack of fertile seeds, and northward colonization is considered limited by temperature and a short growing season. Observations of profuse flowering and seed production in recent years, however, prompted us to test seed germination. Seeds from seven localities in Scania and 20 localities in Halland, south Sweden, were collected in October and November 2021 and 2023 and germinated under laboratory conditions. In Scania, seeds from six out of seven stands germinated with an average germination of 57.7 ± 32.1%. A second trial 10 months after seed collection showed 48.0 ± 14.2% germination on seeds from two of the sites. In Halland, seeds collected in November 2023 germinated with an average germination of 78.13 ± 20.71%, and germination in soil was 15% ± 16.1. Field inventories detected seedlings that were determined by metabarcoding to be R. japonica × Fallopia baldschuanica hybrids. Collected Reynoutria × bohemica × F. baldschuanica seeds from one site were fertile and the seedlings survived cool conditions for two winters. We established that R. japonica produces viable seed in south Sweden, which is further north than previously demonstrated in Europe. The observation that F. baldschuanica was a common pollen donor concurs with studies from other parts of Europe. Conclusion: the presence of fertile seeds and seedlings has implications for the northward dispersal of knotweeds in Europe. Russian vine F. baldschuanica was identified as the pollen donor for R. japonica stands and one putative R. × bohemica stand in south Sweden. © 2026 The Author(s).

Soils provide key ecosystem services for sustainable production of food and provision of clean waterand air (cf. de Vries et al. 2013). Threats from intensive land use, land use change, pollution andinvasive alien species however decrease the availability of healthy soils globally and consequentlyreduce vital ecosystem services from soils. Biologically contaminated soil containing IAS from theknotweed genera is routinely deposited to land fill, contributing to unnecessary environmental impactand reduced ecosystem services. Here, we investigated the potential of in-situ heat treatments basedon steam or conductive heating for knotweed control in a combined approach of field inventories,greenhouse growth trials and fluorescence microscopy. Initial lab tests suggested heating rhizomes to80°C for several days to achieve dead tissue. Using this as the starting point, field applications forsteam and inductive heating were set up. Long-term heating to deep soil layers was found promisingto kill knotweed rhizomes, while surface heating resulted in variable results. The effects of a goaltemperature of 80°C for different durations showed that some live tissue occurred after shortertreatments. At 80°C for longer periods, no fluorescence was visible which indicated dead rhizomes.The effects of heat on above-ground biomass were clear, but it has proven more complex to evaluatevitality of below-ground rhizomes. We conclude that, in order to promote the uptake of in-situ soilheating as an alternative to deposition of contaminated soil to landfill, careful follow-up of rhizomeviability post treatment is needed.

Recent studies have demonstrated that the pace of global biodiversity decline is increasing despite the rising evidence that biodiversity underpins crucial ecosystem services essential for human wellbeing. A major reason for this antagonism is that people’s claim to have a strong interest for biodiversity is resulting in numerous beneficial actions by groups, whereas societal norms may lead to counteractive behaviour of individuals. Therefore, we argue that awareness and evidence on the importance of biodiversity do not necessarily increase protection of it. In an ongoing crossdisciplinary research program (https://www.hh.se/forskning/forskningsprogram/trains---transformation-innovation-ochnormstudier.html), our aim is to extend research on the concept of norms to include expectations embedded within and across different systems of actions: natural/biotic, economic/technical, legal/bureaucratic, and cultural. Here we will discuss different perspectives on how production goals may counteract biodiversity goals, where large-scale changes to policies are needed to achieve the global goals. In addition to large-scale measures, we will have a specific focus on when social norms are leading to individuals contributing to protection of biodiversity and when not, based on conflicts where costs and/or risks for the individual are involved. This will be illustrated by experience from pedagogy of a bachelor’s program in nature conservation and biodiversity.

One of the most widely established invasive alien plant species in Sweden is the Japanese knotweed. A range of control measures exist, and there is great need of methods to evaluate their effectiveness. No single method currently guarantees eradication of the Japanese knotweed, hence there is considerable interest to develop more efficient techniques. One is heat treatment using steam or hot water. The effects of heat on above-ground biomass are easy to evaluate but it has proven to be more problematic to evaluate vitality of below-ground rhizomes, which can stay dormant under unfavorable conditions. We have therefore evaluated rhizome vitality using combined greenhouse trials and fluorescence microscopy observations with the vital stains fluorescence diacetate (FDA) and propidium iodide (PI). Fluorescence diacetate was effective in separating live rhizomes from rhizomes that were autoclaved at 121°C. However, while propidium iodide is routinely used to identify dead cells by staining their nuclei, unexpectedly few nuclei were stained in the heat-treated rhizomes. When temperature was reduced to 80°C for 1 hour, FDA indicated some live meristems. However, at 80°C for longer periods, no fluorescence was visible which indicated dead rhizomes. This shows the importance of treatment longevity in order to terminate persistent rhizomes of Japanese knotweed. Type of presentation: Flash talk. 

Decentralized anaerobic digestion (AD) of manure and organic residues is a possible strategy to improve carbon and nutrient cycling within agricultural regions, meanwhile generating renewable energy. To date, there has been limited adoption of decentralized AD technology in industrialized countries owing to low profitability for plant operators. There remains a need to demonstrate the wider sustainability of small-scale, decentralized AD in order to justify policy support for such a strategy. This study applies a multi-dimensional assessment of the environmental, economic and social sustainability of two scenarios of decentralized, farm-scale AD of pig slurry and organic residues in Southern Sweden. The environmental dimension was assessed by means of an expanded boundary life cycle assessment, in which trade-offs between fertilizer replacement, soil organic carbon accumulation, digestate/manure storage and application, transport and soil emissions were evaluated. The economic dimension was assessed through modelling of the net present value and internal rate of return. Finally, the social dimension was assessed by means of a stakeholder perception inquiry among key stakeholders in the field. It was concluded that the overall environmental balance of decentralized AD was favorable, while also the net present value could be positive. Fertilizer replacement, soil organic carbon and digestate storage effects were identified as important factors that should be accounted for in future life cycle assessments. A key issue for interviewed stakeholders was product quality assurance. Wider application of multi-dimensional sustainability assessment, capturing important nutrient cycling effects, could provide an evidence base for policy to support sustainable deployment of decentralized AD. © 2018 Elsevier B.V.