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
Abstract
Energy-efficient greenhouse climate control is important in high-latitude regions, where heating demand is high and minimizing environmental impacts is increasingly necessary. In this study, a novel centralized environmental control system (ECS) was implemented in a semi-closed tomato greenhouse under Norwegian conditions. The ECS integrates heating, cooling, dehumidification, and heat recovery through air-to water heat exchangers, a heat pump, and thermal energy storage system to support climate control and energy management. The ECS was monitored across three tomato production experiments conducted during summer and winter seasons, and its operational performance was evaluated based on greenhouse climate, tomato yield, and energy use. The experiments included variations in temperature setpoints and cooling capacity. The ECS maintained greenhouse climate that was suitable for tomato production across all experiments. Changes in temperature setpoints and cooling capacity affected ECS electricity consumption and influenced the balance between recovered heat and boiler heating, while having limited effects on tomato yield. The results indicate the potential of centralized ECS technology to sustain tomato production while reducing reliance on fossil-energy, supporting the transition towards energy-efficient and emission-free smart greenhouse production.
Abstract
Greenhouse tomato production at high latitudes requires substantial inputs of supplemental lighting, heating and climate control. (Semi-) closed greenhouses can improve heat, water and CO₂ retention, but require additional electricity, climate control system capacities and investment. Crop productivity and resource use must therefore be evaluated jointly. This paper presents the EFREE-Green systems framework for integrating local production conditions, greenhouse environmental control, crop physiological responses, resource flows, and economic and environmental performance. The framework is implemented in two experimental greenhouse compartments operating at a semi-commercial scale at NIBIO Særheim, Norway, connected to a centralized environmental control system (ECS). Measurements at leaf, canopy and greenhouse scale link environmental control with crop carbon gain, biomass partitioning, marketable yield and resource use. Illustrative observations demonstrate that crop responses to supplemental lighting depend on interactions among light availability, CO₂ supply and climate management. Experimental measurements, modelling, techno-economic assessment and life-cycle assessment are combined to evaluate crop productivity, energy efficiency, resource recovery, production costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The framework is transferable to other climatic and production settings, but optimal technologies, capacities and control strategies remain location-specific.
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
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
No abstract has been registered
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Darius KviklysAbstract
No abstract has been registered