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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.

2025

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Abstract

A number of modelling frameworks exist to estimate resilience from ecological datasets. A subset of these frameworks seeks to estimate the whole ‘stability landscape', which can be used to calculate resilience and identify stable states and tipping points. These methods provide opportunities for insights into possible causes and consequences of variation in ecosystem resilience and dynamics. However, because such models can be complex to implement, there has so far been a substantial barrier to their application in ecological research. Here, we present the ‘mixglm' package for R software, which parametrizes stability landscapes using a mixture model approach. It provides tools for the calculation of resilience, identification of stable states and tipping points, as well as visualization functions. Flexible model specification allows the mean, precision, and probability of each mixture component to be linked to multiple predictors, such as environmental covariates. ‘mixglm' is based on Bayesian inference via NIMBLE and supports normal, beta, gamma, and negative binomial distributed response variables. We illustrate the use of ‘mixglm' with a published case of tree cover in South America, which reports a stability landscape with distinct stable states. Using ‘mixglm', we replicated the identification of these states. Moreover, we quantified the uncertainty of our estimates, and computed resilience estimates of South America's forests. We also conducted a power analysis to provide guidance regarding required sample sizes. ‘mixglm' can be readily used to describe stability landscapes and identify stable states in most spatial datasets, and it is accompanied by tools for the calculation of resilience estimates.

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Abstract

Considering the most recent technical and scientific information available to the experts, the Group is requested: (5) to agree on the criteria for evaluation of substances for cleaning and disinfection to be applied to all fields of organic production where the use of such agents is necessary to maintain a high level of food hygiene. (6) to make a proposal for a negative list of substances with unwanted properties based on the above defined criteria. (7) to carry on some worked examples of evaluation of prioritized dossiers submitted by the Member States on products for cleaning and disinfection based on the criteria agreed: i. Hydrogen peroxide (DK) ii. Sodium percarbonate (hydrogen peroxide released from sodium percarbonate, DK) iii. Sodium hydroxide (NL) iv. Glutaraldehyde (SE) v. Chlorine dioxide (NO) vi. Calcium hypochlorite (FR) vii. Peracetic acid (FR) viii. Formic acid (FR) ix. Sodium hypochlorite (FR) x. Iodophors (FR) xi. Dipotassium peroxodisulfate + potassium peroxomonosulfate (SE) xii. Fatty acid potassium salt (SE) xiii. Methane sulfonic acid (probably GER, the request was made by BASF Ludwigshafen) (8) to schedule the work for evaluating the rest of the substances on the Commission priority list. For the preparation of its report the Group was invited to examine technical dossiers provided to the Commission by the Member States and suggest amendments to the Annex IV to the Regulation (EU) 2021/1165.

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Abstract

The Expert Group for Technical Advice on Organic Production (EGTOP, thereafter called ‘the Group’) was asked to prepare a technical advice about the applicability of detergents (referred to in the organic legislation as ‘products for cleaning’) and biocidal products (referred to in the organic legislation as ‘products for disinfection’) in organic production. The use of biocidal products and detergents in organic production must be compliant with the Biocidal Products Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 and the Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 on Detergents.

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Abstract

This report responds to the European Commission’s request for technical advice from EGTOP on the compliance of innovative building systems for pigs with organic farming principles and regulations, particularly those outlined in Regulation (EU) 2018/848 and implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/464 . These systems integrate indoor barns with covered outdoor areas but generally lack direct access to open air areas, preferable pasture. The Group assessed these systems in light of organic principles, animal welfare standards, environmental impacts, structural design, biosecurity risks, farmer working conditions, and consumer expectations. The assessment considered scientific literature, existing EU legislation, and the core values of organic production: health, ecology, fairness, and care. The Group acknowledges that these innovative modular systems may offer improvements in thermal comfort, increased outdoor area, manure management, and labor efficiency in confined conditions. In the system under assessment, the available indoor surface appears reduced compared to the requirements outlined in organic standards (Regulation (EU) 2020/464, Articles 11 and 12), while outdoor access would not be guaranteed during adverse weather conditions. The limited indoor area risks compromising animal welfare, falling below the minimum standards of organic production, as animals may be left without sufficient space or opportunities to express natural behaviours under such circumstances.