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.
2026
Authors
Vibeke LindAbstract
This report reviews the potential use of seaweed as a feed ingredient for ruminants under Northern-Norwegian conditions. Seaweed has a long history in coastal livestock farming, especially where conventional forage was scarce, but its use declined as farms became larger, more specialised and dependent on high-quality feeds. Renewed interest is driven by the need to increase national feed self-sufficiency, reduce reliance on imported protein sources, and explore strategies to lower enteric methane emissions. Seaweed species differ greatly in nutritional value, digestibility, mineral composition and effects on rumen fermentation. Red species such as Porphyra and Palmaria palmata appear most promising as protein sources, whereas several brown species show lower protein digestibility and may contain high iodine levels or potentially harmful elements. Preservation is a major barrier because fresh seaweed decomposes rapidly; ensiling, drying and multi-nutrient blocks require further development to improve dry matter content, palatability, shelf-life and nutrient quality. Seaweed has also been studied as a methane inhibitor. Asparagopsis can strongly reduce methane emissions, but concerns about bromoform content, animal health, productivity and suitability for Norwegian systems limit its relevance. Norwegian studies with locally available seaweeds have not shown consistent in vivo methane mitigation. Overall, seaweed may support more circular and locally based feed systems, but practical use requires species-specific evaluation, safe inclusion levels, improved preservation methods and stronger in vivo documentation.
Authors
Habtamu Alem Diress Tsegaye Alemu Ibrahim Issifu Daniel D.N. Nortey Linda Bana Denis W. Aheto Belachew Gizachew ZelekeAbstract
Mangrove condition reflects interactions among ecological pressures, livelihood dependence, institutional arrangements, and biophysical constraints on regeneration. This study compares seven purposively selected rapid-appraisal sites in Ghana's Greater Amanzule Wetlands in the Western Region and the Lower Volta Delta. Evidence combines May 2025 site appraisals, 14 semi-structured interviews, three group discussions, spatial and secondary ecological information, and historical livelihood context from GLSS7 (2016–2017). Institutional functioning was assessed descriptively through rule recognition and participation, monitoring and responses to violations, and collective action, without assigning unsupported site-level scores. Visible disturbance was lower in the Western sites, with a median score of 2 (range 2–3), than in the Lower Volta sites, where the median was 4. Stakeholder accounts also indicated more consistently recognised rules and participation in the Western system, while implementation was described as less consistent in the Lower Volta. Monitoring responsibilities, frequency, and responses to violations were insufficiently documented in both systems, preventing comparison of monitoring effectiveness. Because governance evidence was primarily regional and sites were purposively selected, these findings represent a descriptive association between two coastal systems, not seven independent institutional observations or a causal institutional effect. Hydrology, hydroperiod, sediment supply, salinity, geomorphology, and the scale of pressure also condition disturbance and regeneration opportunities. Effective responses should therefore combine participatory rule implementation, collective action, transparent monitoring arrangements, livelihood measures, and restoration strategies matched to local biophysical conditions and the geographical scale of dominant stressors.
Abstract
We invite projects working on soil and water challenges to participate in an interactive session on Integrated Systems Approaches for Soil Health and Water Challenges. The session will combine short project inputs with guided group discussions, focusing on understanding soil–water problems as interconnected, non-linear systems involving multiple drivers and actors. Projects may contribute a short framing presentation and/or actively participate in the interactive exercise. The goal is to foster shared learning across projects and illustrate how a systems approach supports more coherent analysis and solution development.
Abstract
Wood continues to evolve as a sustainable construction material in response to global demands for circularity, climate resilience, and resource efficiency. This study develops lightweight bio-based insulation panels from wood chips, cellulose nanofibrils, and macroalgae processing residues, demonstrating enhanced fire resistance, thermal and acoustic properties. By transforming wood and marine biomass into high-value multifunctional products, the work extends the life of wood beyond traditional applications. The study highlights how innovative wood-based composites can strengthen circular bioeconomy value chains and support resilient, low-carbon buildings in an ever-changing world.
Authors
Annbjørg KristoffersenAbstract
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Authors
Darius KviklysAbstract
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Authors
Bart Vandecasteele Simon Craeye Kristof Gheysens Peter Melis Hanne Denaeghel Krzysztof Kusnierek Rianne Visser Dries VandammeAbstract
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Authors
Liv Guri VelleAbstract
An overview of the European Heathland Network, its history, purpose and role in connecting research, management and policy across Europe. The presentation also highlighted past workshops, current management challenges and priorities for strengthening the network in the future.
Authors
Linn Vassvik Anders Nielsen Michael P. D. Garratt Bjørn Arild Hatteland Joseph Chipperfield Jørund Johansen Silje Maria Midthjell Høydal Erik Trond AschehougAbstract
Insect pollinators are important drivers of fruit quality and yield in horticultural systems. The global reduction in wild bee populations has increased the demand for managed honeybees, despite honeybees relatively low pollination efficiency. Here, we assessed how bee communities, bee behaviour, and orchard design in Norwegian apple orchards affects apple pollination success, an important determinant of apple quality. We placed pan and vane traps in 18 apple orchards, in six distinct locations, within the two main apple growing regions in Norway. We also tracked individual bees (honeybees, bumblebees, and solitary bees) throughout the apple flowering season, and recorded their flower handling time, number of flower visits, stigma contact, and movement between apple flowers. Finally, we calculated the seed set rate (ovules developed into seeds / total number of ovules) from 908 harvested apples to estimate pollination success. Our key finding is that pollination success was driven by the abundance of wild bees and overall orchard planting design. We found lower pollination success in block design orchards where a single cultivar is planted continuously over a large area, compared to orchards with an integrated design where compatible cultivars are planted within the orchard. We also found that stigma contact decreased as apple flowering progressed, and that solitary bees visited fewer flowers per foraging event but were potentially more thorough foragers. Our results highlight the importance of promoting wild bees in apple orchards while also ensuring there is compatible pollen in the orchards for optimal pollination.