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.
2016
Authors
Lone Ross Thomas Kringlebotn Thiis Geir Isak Vestøl Ingunn Burud Solrun Karlsen Lie Olav Albert HøibøAbstract
Use of uncoated wood in building façades has increased the last years, and therefore it is important to understand and control the aesthetical character and appearance of wood materials used outdoors. By predicting the aesthetical service life and the visual appearance of a wooden façade over time, we can accommodate some of the end-user expectations, perception, values and aesthetical preferences. The spatial variation of climate on a façade is large, and estimation of the weathering process and mould growth on outdoor exposed wood should be based on the actual surface climate rather than data from meteorological stations. A first version of a simulation model that aims to predict and visualize future aesthetical appearance of wooden façades has been developed. The model is based on existing mould growth models and on a new model for surface meteorological conditions that account for RH, temperature and UV. The on-set of mould growth on selected wood materials (pine, spruce, larch, oak, aspen, thermally treated pine) have been studied in 8 different controlled climate conditions, where two levels of surface condensation regimes have been mimicked to capture time-of-wetness. Wood samples in conditions with high RH (85%) and longest time-of-wetness had the earliest on-set of mould growth, and under these conditions temperature (25°C/10°C) had no significant impact. Generally aspen had the earliest on-set of mould growth and thermally treated pine the latest. Data on on-set of mould growth will be incorporated in the simulation model to enable a knowledge-based decision tool regarding design and material selection.
Abstract
Uncoated wood is increasingly used in building façades in Northern Europe. The benefits can be both low maintenance and low environmental impact. An even, grey color of the façade is often the intention, but in several cases, an uneven pattern of light, grey and dark/black areas is the result. The effect of weathering and the influencing factors have to be considered when designing and building uncoated and coated wooden façade to avoid unwanted weathering effects. Wood weathering is commonly described to be caused by: accumulation of extractives on the surface, photo-degradation of lignin, staining by dark colored mould fungi, checking, cracking and splitting due to moisture fluctuation and erosion. This paper reviews, analyzes and exemplifies weathering as a finishing system and design option for uncoated wood. Furthermore, it also discusses and exemplifies the main influencing factors and weathering effects on coated wood in facades.
Abstract
Wooden elements may be subjected to mechanical, environmental or biological alterations during their service life. The most susceptible parts of wood structural members are the exposed surfaces since they are subjected to ageing, weathering and/or decay. Knowledge of the influence of weathering factors and polymer degradation mechanisms is essential for understanding the weathering process of wood. The goal of this study was to investigate the degradation of thin wooden samples exposed to short-term weathering. Tests were performed through the European summer (July), which according to previous research is considered as the most severe period for weathering of wood micro-sections. Fourier transform near infrared spectroscopy was used for evaluation of chemical changes of wood samples. Three approaches for data evaluation are presented in this paper: (1) direct spectral interpretation, (2) a concept for calculation of a weathering index Wind and (3) kinetics of lignin changes in relation to the exposure direction for selected wavelengths. Observation of the effects of weathering will allow better understanding of the degradation process. The southern exposure site was slightly more affected by weathering than other sites. Results of this research will be used for future determination of the weather-dose response model and could be essential for predicting the future performance of timber facade elements.
Authors
Ryan Bright Edouard Davin Thomas O'Halloran Julia Pongratz Kaiguang Zhao Alessandro CescattiAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Abstract
Two new species of Schistidium are described from Asian Russia. Their distinctness is supported by nrDNA ITS1-2 sequence data. S. austrosibiricum was not previously differentiated from S. sinensi- apocarpum, mainly due to their similarly long and sharply serrate hair-points in stem and perichaetial leaves and papillose dorsal side of costa. However, they differ in leaf size and shape, hair-points flatness and leaf lamina areolation. S. austrosibiricum is known from southernmost mountain areas of Asian Russia, while S. sinensiapocarpum is a widespread circumholarctic montane species. The sec- ond species, S. scabripilum is morphologically similar to S. echinatum, and some specimens were previously referred to it. The main differences between them concern hair-point length and structure, including length of protruding spinulae and their angle with the hair-point axis. However, they belong to different clades in the molecular phylogenetic tree and possess different distribution patterns. S. scabripilum is a northern Asian species, found in the Putorana Plateau, southern Taimyr, Yakutia and Chukotka, while S. echinatum is known from the Alps, Caucasus and Ural mountains, and in western North America. Description, illustrations, distribution and ecological data are provided for the new species, and comparison with similar species is given.
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Abstract
Schistidium marginale is described as a new species from several European states including Austria, Georgia, Italy, Macedonia, Spain, Switzerland and Turkey. The species is fully illustrated, its affinities are discussed in detail and its current distribution is mapped. The new species is closely related to S. confertum and S. echinatum from which it differs in having a coarser and thicker costa which is 3–4-stratose in mid-leaf and 4-layered at the base; strongly thickened, 2–4-stratose and (1–)2–5-seriate leaf margins; and a thicker and stiffer leaf hair-point. It clearly belongs to Schistidium Bruch & Schimp. sect. Conferta (Vilh.) Ochyra on account of the distinct 3–6(–7)-seriate basal marginal border of quadrate to short-rectangular, often subhyaline cells with distinctly thickened transverse walls.
Abstract
The cyanomorph and photosymbiodemes are here reported for the first time for Ricasolia virens (With.) H.H. Blom & Tønsberg comb. nov. (≡ Lobaria virens (With.) J.R. Laundon). The cyanomorph of R. virens is dendriscocauloid. The observed early developmental stages involve (1) a free-living cyanomorph and (2) a photosymbiodeme composed of the cyanomorph supporting small, foliose, chloromorphic lobes. Whereas the chloromorph continues to grow, the cyanomorph decays and disappears leading to the final stage (3), the free-living chloromorph. Secondary cyanomorphs emerging from the chloromorph are not known.
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Elena Iordanova Vanguelova Eleonora Bonifacio Bruno de Vos Marcel R. Hoosbeek Torsten W. Berger Lars Vesterdal Kȩstutis E. Armolaitis Luisella Celi Lucian Constantin Dincǎ O. Janne Kjønaas Pavel Pavlenda Jukka Pumpanen Ülle Püttsepp Brian Reidy Primož Simončič Brian Tobin Miglena ZhiyanskiAbstract
Spatially explicit knowledge of recent and past soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in forests will improve our understanding of the effect of human- and non-human-induced changes on forest C fluxes. For SOC accounting, a minimum detectable difference must be defined in order to adequately determine temporal changes and spatial differences in SOC. This requires sufficiently detailed data to predict SOC stocks at appropriate scales within the required accuracy so that only significant changes are accounted for. When designing sampling campaigns, taking into account factors influencing SOC spatial and temporal distribution (such as soil type, topography, climate and vegetation) are needed to optimise sampling depths and numbers of samples, thereby ensuring that samples accurately reflect the distribution of SOC at a site. Furthermore, the appropriate scales related to the research question need to be defined: profile, plot, forests, catchment, national or wider. Scaling up SOC stocks from point sample to landscape unit is challenging, and thus requires reliable baseline data. Knowledge of the associated uncertainties related to SOC measures at each particular scale and how to reduce them is crucial for assessing SOC stocks with the highest possible accuracy at each scale. This review identifies where potential sources of errors and uncertainties related to forest SOC stock estimation occur at five different scales—sample, profile, plot, landscape/regional and European. Recommendations are also provided on how to reduce forest SOC uncertainties and increase efficiency of SOC assessment at each scale.