To document

Abstract

Det er hovedkonklusjonen i en risikovurdering Vitenskapskomiteen for mat og miljø (VKM) har gjort for Miljødirektoratet. For biearter som er avhengige av én eller få plantearter for å overleve, vurderes risikoen som høyere (medium) på grunn av mulig konkurranse med honningbier om ressursene. Dette gjelder arter som rødknappsandbie. Også for humler i ensartede landskaper med begrensede blomsterressurser vurderes risikoen som medium. Oppdrag På oppdrag fra Miljødirektoratet har VKM oppsummert den tilgjengelige faglitteraturen om sammenhenger mellom hold av honningbier og deres effekter på ville pollinerende insekter, og vurdert om birøkt kan utgjøre en risiko for ville pollinatorer i Norge. VKM har også identifisert og vurdert effekten av mulige risikoreduserende tiltak. Risiko VKM har identifisert tre potensielle farer knyttet til hold av honningbier og vurdert risikoen for negative effekter på ville pollinatorer som følge av disse: Konkurranse om blomsterressurser. VKM vurderer at hold av honningbier medfører medium risiko for enkelte biearter som er avhengige av én eller få plantearter for å overleve, som rødknappsandbie og humler i ensartede landskaper med begrensede blomsterressurser. Dette skyldes mulig konkurranse om disse ressursene. For alle andre ville pollinerende insekter i Norge, vurderes risikoen fra konkurranse om blomsterressurser som lav. Spredning av patogener og parasitter. VKM vurderer at risikoen for spredning av patogener og parasitter til ville pollinerende insekter som følge av hold av honningbier er lav, delvis som følge av dagens høye hygienestandarder i norsk birøkt. Indirekte effekter som følge av endringer i plantesamfunn og predatorpopulasjoner. VKM vurderer at risikoen for at honningbier påvirker sammensetningen av plantesamfunn på en slik måte at tilgjengeligheten av blomsterressurser for ville pollinatorer reduseres, er lav. VKM vurderer også at risikoen for at predatorer av honningbier påvirker ville pollinatorer negativt er lav, da geithams er den eneste potensielle predatoren, og forekommer i lave antall og innenfor begrensede områder. Risikoreduserende tiltak VKM har identifisert og vurdert effekten av tre typer risikoreduserende tiltak som kan redusere den mulige negative effekten hold av honningbier har på ville pollinatorer i Norge: Forvaltning av blomsterressurser. Å redusere antallet honningbier eller øke mengden blomsterressurser i et område, kan minske konkurransen om blomsterressurser. Etablering av blomsterstriper og skjøtsel av stedegen flora er mulige tiltak. Kartlegging av blomsterressurser kan brukes til å anslå bæreevnen i et område og veilede plasseringen av bikuber. Fremme god helse hos honningbier. God helse blant honningbier reduserer risikoen for spredning av sykdommer og parasitter til ville pollinatorer. Risikoen for spredning av sykdommer fra honningbier til ville pollinatorer vurderes som lav i Norge, som følge av godt hygienearbeid blant norske birøktere, og effektiv overvåking fra Mattilsynet. Økt kunnskap om blomsterressurser og behovene til ville pollinatorer. Økt kunnskap om tilgjengeligheten av blomsterressurser og fødebehovene til ville pollinatorer vil kunne veilede plassering av bikuber og slik redusere potensialet for konkurranse mellom honningbier og ville pollinerende insekter.

To document

Abstract

Import av planter med jord og andre vekstmedier til Norge utgjør en betydelig risiko for innføring av planteskadegjørere som kan skade landbruket og naturlige økosystemer. Denne risikoen kan reduseres ved å stille strengere importkrav. Dette er hovedkonklusjonen i en risikovurdering Vitenskapskomiteen for mat og miljø (VKM) har gjort for Mattilsynet og Miljødirektoratet. Oppdragsgiverne har bedt VKM vurdere risikoen forbundet med jord og andre vekstmedier som følger med importerte planter. De har også bedt oss vurdere hvor effektive ulike risikoreduserende tiltak er for å forhindre innførsel av planteskadegjørere. Bakgrunn Planteskadegjørere som sopp, bakterier, nematoder og insekter kan komme til Norge med jord og andre vekstmedier som følger med importerte planter fra Europa. Slike skadegjørere kan forårsake alvorlig skade på norsk plantehelse. Selv med dagens kontrolltiltak, er det høy sannsynlighet for at skadelige organismer kan komme inn i landet. Risiko VKM har identifisert flere planteskadegjørere som er knyttet til import av jord og andre vekstmedier, og vurdert risikoen for negative effekter på norsk plantehelse: Planteskadegjørere i jord og vekstmedier: Jord og vekstmedier kan inneholde skadelige organismer som kan etablere og spre seg i Norge, noe som kan skade landbruket og økosystemer. Høye importvolumer av planter med jord og vekstmedier øker sannsynligheten for innføring av skadegjørere. Spesielt import fra land som Nederland, Tyskland, Danmark og Sverige medfører høy risiko, fordi mesteparten av plantene som importeres til Norge kommer fra disse landene. Nåværende regelverk og kontrolltiltak, som i stor grad baserer seg på visuell inspeksjon, er ikke tilstrekkelige for å oppdage alle skadegjørere. - Når vi kjøper levende planter, vokser de i et tilhørende vekstmedium. Denne klumpen rundt rota kan inneholde skadegjørere, som insekter, sopp, rundormer eller bakterier. Kanskje har planten levd mange år i dette vekstmediet før den kommer til Norge – det kan ha utviklet seg et helt lite økosystem nede i potten. Når vi importerer busker og trær er det dermed stor sannsynlighet for at de har med seg organismer vi ikke ønsker inn i landet. Disse organismene kan gjøre alvorlig skade på norsk plantehelse, og påvirke både landbruket og naturlige økosystemer, sier fagansvarlig Paal Krokene, som sitter i VKMs faggruppe for plantehelse, og har ledet arbeidet med rapporten. Risikoreduserende tiltak VKM er også bedt om å identifisere flere tiltak som kan redusere risikoen for uønsket innførsel av planteskadegjørere: Strengere krav til import av jord og andre vekstmedier, inkludert bruk av sterile eller varmebehandlete vekstmedier. Innføring av obligatorisk grensekontroll og mer omfattende inspeksjoner av planter importert med jord og vekstmedier. Forbud mot import av planter med jord og andre vekstmedier fra områder med kjent høy risiko for å huse planteskadegjørere. Bruk av DNA-analyser og andre avanserte metoder for å bedre påvise skadegjørere i vekstmedier, også i tilfeller der plantene ikke har synlige tegn på infeksjon. Konklusjon Import av planter med jord og andre vekstmedier utgjør en betydelig risiko for introduksjon av planteskadegjørere. Strengere kontrolltiltak og regelverk vil kunne bidra til å redusere risikoen for innførsel av skadelige organismer og beskytte norsk plantehelse.

To document

Abstract

An essential prerequisite to safeguard pollinator species is characterisation of the multifaceted diversity of crop pollinators and identification of the drivers of pollinator community changes across biogeographical gradients. The extent to which intensive agriculture is associated with the homogenisation of biological communities at large spatial scales remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated diversity drivers for 644 bee species/morphospecies in 177 commercial apple orchards across 33 countries and four global biogeographical biomes. Our findings reveal significant taxonomic dissimilarity among biogeographical zones. Interestingly, despite this dissimilarity, species from different zones share similar higher-level phylogenetic groups and similar ecological and behavioural traits (i.e. functional traits), likely due to habitat filtering caused by perennial monoculture systems managed intensively for crop production. Honey bee species dominated orchard communities, while other managed/manageable and wild species were collected in lower numbers. Moreover, the presence of herbaceous, uncultivated open areas and organic management practices were associated with increased wild bee diversity. Overall, our study sheds light on the importance of large-scale analyses contributing to the emerging fields of functional and phylogenetic diversity, which can be related to ecosystem function to promote biodiversity as a key asset in agroecosystems in the face of global change pressures.

To document

Abstract

BACKGROUND Integrated pest management (IPM) has a long history in fruit production and has become even more important with the implementation of the EU directive 2009/128/EC making IPM mandatory. In this study, we surveyed 30 apple orchards in Norway for 3 years (2016–2018) monitoring pest- and beneficial arthropods as well as evaluating fruit damage. We obtained growers’ diaries of pest management and used these data to study positive and negative correlations of pesticides with the different arthropod groups and damage due to pests. RESULTS IPM level had no significant effects on damage of harvested apples by arthropod pests. Furthermore, damage by arthropods was mainly caused by lepidopteran larvae, tortricids being especially important. The number of insecticide applications varied between 0 and 3 per year (mean 0.8), while acaricide applications varied between 0 and 1 per year (mean 0.06). Applications were often based on forecasts of important pest species such as the apple fruit moth (Argyresthia conjugella). Narrow-spectrum insecticides were commonly used against aphids and lepidopteran larvae, although broad-spectrum neonicotinoid (thiacloprid) insecticides were also applied. Anthocorid bugs and phytoseiid mites were the most abundant natural enemies in the studied orchards. However, we found large differences in abundance of various “beneficials” (e.g., lacewings, anthocorids, parasitic wasps) between eastern and western Norway. A low level of IPM negatively affected the abundance of spiders. CONCLUSION Lepidoptera was found to be the most important pest group in apple orchards. Insecticide use was overall low, but number of spray applications and use of broad-spectrum insecticides varied between growers and regions. IPM level did not predict the level of fruit damage by insects nor the abundance of important pests or most beneficial groups in an apple orchard. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Abstract

The worldwide decline in bees and other pollinating insects is a threat to biodiversity and food security, and urgent action must be taken to stop and then reverse this decline. An established cause of the insect decline is the use of harmful pesticides in agriculture. This case study focuses on the use of pesticides in Norwegian apple production and considers who among farmers, consumers and public authorities is most responsible for protecting bees against harmful pesticides. The extent to which these three different groups consider themselves responsible and the degree to which they are trusted by each of the other groups are also studied. This empirical study involves both qualitative interviews with Norwegian apple farmers, consumers and public authorities and survey data from consumers and farmers. The results show that consumers consider public authorities and farmers equally responsible for protecting bees, while farmers are inclined to consider themselves more responsible. Farmers, consumers and public authorities do not consider consumers significantly responsible for protecting bees, and consumers have a high level of trust in both farmers and public authorities regarding this matter. This study also finds that a low level of consumer trust in farmers or public authorities increases consumers’ propensity to purchase organic food, suggesting that those who do not trust that enough action is adopted to protect the environment take on more individual responsibility. This paper adds to the existing literature concerning the allocation of responsibility for environmental outcomes, with empirical evidence focusing specifically on pesticides and bees.

To document See dataset

Abstract

1. Due to globalisation, trade and transport, the spread of alien species is increasing dramatically. Some alien species become ecologically harmful by threatening native biota. This can lead to irreversible changes in local biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, and, ultimately, to biotic homogenisation. 2. We risk-assessed all alien plants, animals, fungi and algae, within certain delimitations, that are known to reproduce in Norway. Mainland Norway and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard plus Jan Mayen were treated as separate assessment areas. Assessments followed the Generic Ecological Impact Assessment of Alien Species (GEIAA) protocol, which uses a fully quantitative set of criteria. 3. A total of 1519 species were risk-assessed, of which 1183 were species reproducing in mainland Norway. Among these, 9% were assessed to have a severe impact, 7% high impact, 7% potentially high impact, and 49% low impact, whereas 29% had no known impact. In Svalbard, 16 alien species were reproducing, one of which with a severe impact. 4. The impact assessments also covered 319 so-called door-knockers, i.e. species that are likely to establish in Norway within 50 years, and 12 regionally alien species. Of the door-knockers, 8% and 10% were assessed to have a severe and high impact, respectively. 5. The impact category of most species was driven by negative interactions with native species, transformation of threatened ecosystems, or genetic contamination. The proportion of alien species with high or severe impact varied significantly across the different pathways of introduction, taxonomic groups, time of introduction, and the environments colonised, but not across continents of origin. 6. Given the large number of alien species reproducing in Norway and the preponderance of species with low impact, it is neither realistic nor necessary to eradicate all of them. Our results can guide management authorities in two ways. First, the use of quantitative assessment criteria facilitates the prioritisation of management resources across species. Second, the background information collected for each species, such as introduction pathways, area of occupancy and ecosystems affected, helps designing appropriate management measures.

See dataset

Abstract

No abstract has been registered

To document

Abstract

A survey of helminths associated with terrestrial slugs focusing on the invasive Arion vulgaris and the native A. ater was conducted on populations from France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway and Poland. In total, 648 terrestrial slugs were collected from 18 sample sites, and identified by means of morphological examination, dissection of genitalia and molecular analysis using mitochondrial DNA. In addition to A. vulgaris and A. ater, also A. vulgaris/A. rufus hybrids and A. ater/A. rufus hybrids were collected. Helminth species were identified based on morphological features and sequencing of the 18S and ITS rDNA regions. The parasites included four nematode species: Alloionema appendiculatum, Angiostoma sp., Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita, Entomelas sp., two trematode species: Brachylaima mesostoma, Eurytrema sp., and one cestode (tapeworm) species: Skrjabinia sp. Alloionema appendiculatum was the most common helminth in the investigated slug populations. Furthermore, we found higher prevalence of trematodes in the invasive A. vulgaris compared with the native A. ater, while differences in the prevalence for nematodes were not as clear.

Abstract

The worldwide decline in bees and other pollinating insects is a threat to biodiversity and food security, and it is urgent to take action. One of the causes for insect decline is the use of harmful pesticides in agriculture. In the presented study we use Norwegian apple production as a case-study to investigate which of the three groups: farmers, consumers and public authorities, have the most responsibility for protecting bees against harmful pesticides. The questions are investigated empirically with qualitative data material from Norwegian apple farmers, consumers and public authorities, and survey data from consumers and farmers. Our results indicate that consumers see public authorities and farmers as equally responsible for protecting the bees, while farmers are inclined to see themselves as more responsible. Neither groups consider consumers to have any large responsibility. Among the consumers there is also a high level of trust in both farmers and public authorities.

To document

Abstract

Arion vulgaris Moquin-Tandon, 1855 is regarded as one of the 100 most invasive species in Europe. The native distribution range of this species is uncertain, but for many years, the Iberian Peninsula has been considered as the area of origin. However, recent studies indicate that A. vulgaris probably originated from France. We have investigated the genetic structure of 33 European populations (Poland, Norway, Germany, France, Denmark, Switzerland) of this slug, based on two molecular markers, mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI, mtDNA) and nuclear zinc finger (ZF, nDNA). Our investigation included published data from two previous studies, giving a total of 95 populations of A. vulgaris from 26 countries. This comprehensive dataset shows comparable haplotype diversity in Central, North and Western Europe, and significantly lower haplotype diversity in the East. All haplotypes observed in the East can be found in the other regions, and haplotype diversity is highest in the Central and Western region. Moreover, there is strong isolation by distance in Central and Western Europe, and only very little in the East. Furthermore, the number of unique haplotypes was highest in France. This pattern strongly suggests that A. vulgaris has originated from a region spanning from France to Western Germany; hence, the slug is probably alien/invasive in other parts of Europe, where it occurs. Our results indicate the necessity to cover as much of the distribution range of a species as possible before making conclusive assumptions about its origin and alien status.

To document See dataset

Abstract

We present the results of an inventory and status assessment of alien species in Norway. The inventory covered all known multicellular neobiota, 2496 in total, 1039 of which were classified as naturalised. The latter constitute c. 3% of all species known to be stably reproducing in Norway. These figures are higher than expected from Norway’s latitude, which may be due a combination of climatic and historical factors, as well as sampling effort. Most of the naturalised neobiota were plants (71%),followed by animals (21%) and fungi (8%). The main habitat types colonised were open lowlands (79%), urban environments (52%) and woodlands (42%). The main areas of origin were Europe (67%), North America (15%) and Asia (13%). For most taxa, the rate of novel introductions seems to have been increasing during recent decades. Within Norway, the number of alien species recorded per county was negatively correlated with latitude and positively correlated with human population density. In the high-Arctic territories under Norwegian sovereignty, i.e. Svalbard and Jan Mayen, 104 alien species were recorded, of which 5 were naturalised.

To document

Abstract

Angiostoma norvegicum n. sp. (Angiostomatidae) is described from the oesophagus, crop and the buccal mass of five species of slugs of the family Arionidae, Arion vulgaris (Moquin-Tandon), Arion ater (L.), Arion fasciatus (Nilsson), Arion fuscus (Müller) and Arion rufus/Arion ater hybrid), collected throughout Norway. Angiostoma norvegicum n. sp. was found parasitising arionids at seven of the 30 sample sites examined (23.3%), and 9.9% of all Arion spp. were infected with this nematode. The new species is characterised by its large size (4.0–8.6 mm long) and in having: lateral alae; 6 + 6 papillae at the cephalic end; a large circular mouth aperture; a spacious stoma; a pharyngeal basal bulb without valvular apparatus; an excretory pore near the base of bulb; a distal part of posterior ovary always outstretched; an anterior ovary distally nearly always outstretched; a vulva situated anterior to mid-body; long, nearly straight spicules and a small gubernaculum; three circumcloacal papillae and caudal genital papillae (GP) arranged in a pattern 1+2/3+3 with GP 5 and GP 8 opened on dorsal side of narrow bursa not reaching tail tip; short conical tails in both sexes with tips supplied by 4 short, unequal denticles. Morphologically, A. norvegicum n. sp. is similar to Angiostoma limacis Dujardin, 1845, which diagnostic characteristics are given based on examination of specimens from Norway and the UK. Conversely, the phylogenetic analyses based on D2D3 large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene sequences performed in the present study did not support the morphological affinity of these two species. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that although Angiostoma spp. cluster together, A. norvegicum n. sp. forms a tight monophyletic clade with the milacid nematode parasites Angiostoma margaretae Ross, Malan & Ivanova, 2011 and Angiostoma milacis Ivanova & Wilson, 2009.

To document

Abstract

1. Fire is a widespread management practice used in the maintenance of European heathland. Frequent prescribed burns in small patches have been shown to benefit carabid communities; however, how fire favours specific life-history traits is poorly understood. 2. In this study, we identify characteristic species of the successional stages within heathlands, and find the traits which are characteristic of species in burnt areas versus areas dominated by older heath stands. 3. We identify 10 species as indicator species for heathland in the pioneer stage (0–5 years old); Amara lunicollis, Bembidion lampros, Calathus fuscipes, Carabus problematicus, Cicindela campestris, Nebria salina, Notiophilus aquaticus, Poecilus cupreus, P. lepidus and P. versicolor. Dyschirius globosus is identified as an indicator for the building stage (6–14 years old), and Carabus violaceus as an indicator for the mature stage (15–25 years old). 4. Moisture preference and diet are identified as traits that determine species response to prescribed fire. Collembolan specialists and species with no moisture preference are shown to be most abundant in burnt patches, whereas generalist predators and species with a high moisture preference are less tolerant of fire. 5. Knowledge of species sorting along a prescribed fire gradient can provide valuable information for heathland conservation.

Abstract

A survey of nematodes associated with terrestrial slugs was conducted for the first time in Norway. A total of 611 terrestrial slugs were collected from 32 sample sites. Slugs were identified by means of morphological examination, dissection of genitalia and molecular analysis using mitochondrial DNA. Twelve slug species were identified, representing four different slug families. Internal nematodes were identified by means of morphological analysis and the sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene. Of the sample sites studied, 62.5% were found to be positive for nematode parasites, with 18.7% of all slugs discovered being infected. Five nematode species were identified in this study: Alloionema appendiculatum, Agfa flexilis, Angiostoma limacis, Angiostoma sp. and Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita. Of these species, only one nematode was previously undescribed (Angiostoma sp.). This is the first record of the presence of A. appendiculatum, A. flexilis and A. limacis in Norway.