Forests and trees for One HealthIn our second issue this year, we focus on the thematic area of forests and health.
Leading up to the International Day of Forests 2025 on the 21 March, we highlight the role of forests and trees within the One Health concept and share some important research projects at SLU relating to forest ecosystems in the intersection of human, animal, plant and ecosystem health. Forests are important for socioeconomic
wellbeing, wildlife ecology and therefore highly relevant for One Health in SLU. As always, we present a selection of One Health research, spotlighting young researchers who have recently defended their theses and earned their doctorates. Additionally, you get some tips on upcoming events.
Enjoy your reading! | | | | | New dissertations within One Health: Forests and pollinators play important roles in ecosystem health and resilienceCongrats to Joan Diaz Calafat, Svenja Horstmann, Ida Nordström and Maximilian Schulte! | Joan Diaz Calafat:"Forests can act as climatic refugia by creating microclimates that are able to buffer temperature extremes, mitigating the negative impacts of climate change. I investigate how this temperature buffering takes place depending on forest density and tree species composition, and how these factors affect pollinator diversity, foraging behavior, and the maintenance of key ecosystem services such as pollination".
| Svenja Horstmann:"I am an ecologist with a special interest in pollinators. In my thesis, I worked with road verges and their role as habitats for wild bees and butterflies. I examined how factors like traffic intensity, vegetation management, and even historical landscape context influence pollinator and plant diversity in these linear habitats". | Ida Nordström: "Recently, I received my Doctor of Technology title for my thesis in forest pathology. The work behind the thesis aimed to develop already available techniques in order to use them for detection and identification of forest pathogens. I focused specifically on air sample analysis and DNA-based methods". | Maximilian Schulte:
"My research aims to find solutions for decreasing the negative consequences of climate change on societies by a better management of forests and an improved use of wood. By that, the research aligns indirectly to the One Health concept because it tries not to lose the present options for being able to stop global warming". | | | | Meet the SLU Forest and Health research group!The research group SLU Forest and Health tells about their research – what are their main challenges and opportunities in their research area to promote health and contribute to a more sustainable world? And how does all of this connect to the One Health concept? Photo: Anna María Pálsdóttir | | | | |
"We need a larger variety in forest management strategies"
Hi Jeannette Eggers!
Can you tell us a bit about your research – what are the main challenges and opportunities in your research area to promote health and contribute to a more sustainable world?
And how does all of this connect to the One Health concept?
Photo: Mona Benta Bergman | | | | | Equipped to improve sustainability of reindeer husbandry and Sami societyHi Anna Skarin! Can you tell us a bit about your research – what are the main challenges and opportunities in your research area to promote health and contribute to a more sustainable world? And how does it connect to One Health? Photo: Ingebjørg H Nymo
| | | | | Harry Fischer, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Forest Ecology and Management, gave an inspirational talk at the One Health Breakfast Club #24, on the topic "
Forest restoration for health & well-being: Evidence from South Asia". Photo: Anna Edlund | | | |
One Health is an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems. It recognizes the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the wider environment (including ecosystems) are closely linked and inter-dependent." /Harry Fischer | | | | | | | | | | New theme page: Urban HealthIn 2024, the two platforms SLU Urban Futures and SLU Future One Health started a webinar series on urban health. To further highlight this increasingly important knowledge field, we have now created a theme page where you can find recorded webinars and more content related to the topic. Even more content is found on the Swedish version of the page!
Explore the Urban Health page | | | | | Identifying environments that promote mental health
Despite the diversity of green spaces and natural elements, a critical gap remains in understanding what makes them truly health-promoting. To maximize their benefits, comprehensive methods are needed to assess their potential for well-being. One valuable tool is the Contemplative Landscape Model, which bridges neuroscience research and landscape design to create more restorative environments. Read the Fact Sheet | | | | Save the date! PhD course on One Health: concept, cases and methodology, 3 credits
PhD course on One Health on 13-24 October!
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We will give a theoretical overview of what the One Health concept is, and why a One Health approach is necessary to provide efficient solutions to the global challenges of our time. We will describe the benefits (and challenges) of interdisciplinary research and how interdisciplinarity is used in this context. | Not yet open for registration. Stay posted for more information! | | | | | | A selection of SLU's One Health expertise
An English version of our updated One Health brochure is now available on our website. In the brochure, we present a selection of SLU's broad research and expertise in the One Health area. | | | | |
In 1775, Linnaeus' disciple Peter Hernquist was commissioned by King Gustav III to start a veterinary education in Sweden. Today, 250 years later, we celebrate this with a jubilee, which not only marks a milestone for the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, but for the entire Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). The Swedish veterinary education is among the oldest in the world and is the oldest part of SLU, which has laid the foundation for the university we know today. At SLU, we are proud to carry on this tradition. Today, veterinary medicine covers many important areas such as animal health, animal welfare, sustainable food production, food safety, zoonotic diseases, and reduced climate impact – all of which are part of what we call One Health. Welcome to celebrate with us! | | | | | The One Health Breakfast Club |
Our aim with The One Health Breakfast Club is to stimulate interdisciplinary and cross-faculty collaborations. We meet and greet on a regular basis, to hopefully gain some new insights and inspiration while having breakfast together. |
Join us when Sheila Holmes, researcher at the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, talks about Reforestation for ecosystem function, human health and livelihoods.
The last sign-up day is 1 April! See you there!
| | | | | | Open call: Researcher residency at Philipssonska gården 19-20 August 2024For the forth time, SLU Future One Health invite senior as well as junior SLU researchers to join us for two days of discussions on interdisciplinary research and One Health, at Philipssonska gården in Strängnäs. Welcome to apply - the deadline for applications is 16 May 2025! Image description:
Participants from the 2024 Researcher residency gathered at Philipssonska gården in Strängnäs. Photo: Eva-Stina Lindell | | | | |
A selection of One Health researchSLU conducts interdisciplinary research in the One Health area. Here we present a selection of research projects, publications, as well as research results in the field. (Primarily in English, Swedish if the content is not available in English). Highlights this time: | | | | | Upcoming events- related to One Health | | | | | |
