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Publications

NIBIOs employees contribute to several hundred scientific articles and research reports every year. You can browse or search in our collection which contains references and links to these publications as well as other research and dissemination activities. The collection is continously updated with new and historical material.

2023

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Abstract

Didemnum vexillum is colonial sea squirt, a marine species which originates from the northwest Pacific; it was first recorded in Norway in November 2020. Didemnum vexillum is an alien species, meaning that it is a species that has been transferred from its original region to other regions of the world through human activity, and it had not previously been recorded in Norwegian waters. The species is regarded as having great invasive potential and having strong negative ecological effects on biodiversity. It is also considered to pose a risk to marine industries such as shipping and aquaculture, with possible major negative economic impacts.

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Abstract

VKM has evaluated the risk to biodiversity from allowing private import and keeping of the Northern Cardinal as a caged bird in Norway, for birds acquired through the bird trade. VKM has reviewed the invasion ecology of non-native birds in general and of the Northern Cardinal specifically. The assessment includes evaluation of various mechanisms that invasive birds generally have a negative impact through, and includes competition, hybridization, spread of pathogens and interactions with other alien species in Norway. VKM has also evaluated two different scenarios establishment and how climate change can influence both the negative impact and the likelihood of establishment. Overall, VKM finds that there is low risk in regards negative effects on biodiversity in Norway in regard to import and keeping of the Northern Cardinal.

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Abstract

VKM has evaluated to what extent keeping of cats pose a risk to biodiversity in Norway. Risks were assessed separately for threats to biodiversity from direct predation, indirect (non-lethal) effects, competition with other wildlife and spread of infectious organisms. VKM also assessed the risk of reduced animal welfare related to the keeping of domestic cats, both for the cats and their prey. In addition, VKM has assessed a range of risk-reducing measures aimed at minimizing the risk for negative impacts on biodiversity and animal welfare. Overall, VKM find that the risk of negative impact on vulnerable birds and red-listed mammalian species are high under certain conditions. VKM also find that there is a considerable risk associated with increased spread of infectious organisms from cats to wildlife and other domestic species. Some of these infectious organisms may also infect humans. With respect to mitigation measures, VKM concludes that measures focused on limiting cats’ access to prey populations are likely to yield the most positive outcomes in terms of mitigating the adverse impact on biodiversity.

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Abstract

The commercial apple production in Norway is limited to the small regions along the fjord areas in the southwest part of the country and around lakes or near the sea in the southeast part with favorable climate. Due to the rapid rate of climate change over the recent decades, it is expected that suitable heat conditions for apple growing will expand to the areas that previously were too cold. This study analyses the heat suitability of past, present and future climate for six commercial apple varieties in Norway (Discovery, Gravenstein, Summerred, Aroma, Rubinstep, and Elstar). The methodology for identifying favorable heat conditions is developed using meteorological and phenological observations from the Ullensvang orchards and applied on a high-resolution gridded datasets of temperature observations and climate projections. The assessment indicates that with increasing temperatures, heat conditions suitable for cultivation all six apple varieties are expanding. The surfaces with favorable heat conditions for less heat-demanding varieties increased threefold over the last 60 years. In the period 2011-2020, heat suitable climate for cultivating at least one of the considered apple varieties is found at 15% of the analyzed territory, while 2.5% was suitable for growing all six varieties. In the future, the favorable areas will advance from south and southeast northwards and inland in the eastern region, along the west and northwestern coastline towards higher latitudes, and along continental parts of fjords. The fastest expansion of heat suitable conditions is expected for less heat-demanding varieties. The findings of this study show an increasing potential for apple production in Norway that are relevant for strategical planning of climate change adaptation measures within the sector. Weather related risks, such as the risk from damaging low temperatures, drought and extreme precipitation were not considered.

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Abstract

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