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
Authors
Linn Vassvik Anders Nielsen Michael P.D. Garratt Bjørn Arild Hatteland Joseph Chipperfield Erik Trond AschehougAbstract
Low pollinator richness and abundance is a primary driver of pollination deficits and may lead to reduced yields (production deficits). In response, domesticated honeybees are often used to increase pollination success, even though honeybees are less efficient pollinators than naturally occurring wild bees. Here, we explored whether Norwegian apple orchards experience pollination and production deficits, and if such deficits could be related to specific pollinator groups and activity. We conducted a supplemental pollination experiment and measured seed set and yield (fruit set x weight) for three cultivars, in six orchards, in two distinct apple growing regions in central Norway, for two years. In addition, we used cameras to record relative pollinator activity throughout the flowering period. Overall, we found a pollination and production deficit across all cultivars, although there were differences in pollination deficit among cultivars. Three orchards had a pollination deficit both years of the study, suggesting sub-optimal orchard structure and/or a lack of pollinators. However, we found that solitary bees significantly reduced both pollination and production deficit, suggesting that orchard management actions should focus on increasing wild bee diversity and abundance.
Authors
Joachim Paul Töpper Joseph Chipperfield Robert Lewis Liv Guri Velle Dagmar Dorothea Egelkraut Vigdis VandvikAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Joachim Paul Töpper Joseph Chipperfield Robert Lewis Liv Guri Velle Dagmar Dorothea Egelkraut Vigdis VandvikAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Bolette BeleAbstract
This thesis aims to document, discuss, and get a deeper understanding of how heritage values and natural resources in the summer farming landscape interact and can be maintained for the future. The integrated relationship between food production, landscape, biodiversity, and traditional ecological knowledge has been the focus. Through a mixed method approach and by using qualitative and quantitative data in eight papers (Paper I-VIII), the study contributes to a collection of topics essential for a more integrated understanding of the traditional land use system and products and services provided to society. NO: Hovedformålet med denne avhandlingen har vært å dokumentere, diskutere, og øke forståelsen for samspillet mellom kulturarven og naturressursene i det norske seterlandskapet, og hvordan de kan ivaretas for framtida. Det har blitt satt et spesielt fokus på sammenhengene mellom matproduksjonen, landskapet, biodiversiteten, og den tradisjonelle økologiske kunnskapen. Ved hjelp av kvalitative og kvantitative data og metoder har åtte artikler (Paper I-VIII) gitt resultater som til sammen skaper en mer integrert forståelse av det norske seterlandskapet og de produkter og tjenester som seterbruket bidrar med til samfunnet.
Authors
Daniel Flø Johan A. Stenberg Lawrence Richard Kirkendall Kjetil Klaveness Melby Anders Nielsen Selamawit Tekle Gobena Beatrix Alsanius Jorunn Børve Paal Krokene Christer Magnusson Mogens Nicolaisen Line Nybakken May-Guri Sæthre Iben M. Thomsen Sandra WrightAbstract
VKM has assessed the environmental and health risks associated with the use of the mite Lepidoglyphus destructor as feed. Background Anso-Mite Plus consists of the biological control agent Amblyseius andersoni and the feed organisms Carpoglyphus lactis and Lepidoglyphus destructor. Amblyseius andersoni and C. lactis have previously been assessed by VKM. VKM has now assessed the environmental and health risks of L. destructor. Conclusions Lepidoglyphus destructor has been found in homes, agricultural environments, and stored products in Norway. The species is well established in Norway, and introduced individuals are expected to be able to establish and spread. Lepidoglyphus destructor is widespread and common in Norway, and it seems unlikely that further introductions via Anso-Mite Plus will have any additional effects on biodiversity. Several studies report allergies to mites, including to L. destructor. The likelihood of developing mite allergies after handling the product is therefore high. However, the likelihood of allergic reactions after consuming plants treated with the product appears to be low. Lepidoglyphus is not a species-rich genus, and there is no documentation suggesting that L. destructor can be confused with other species. The risk assessment is approved by VKM's Panel on Plant Health.
Authors
Daniel Flø Johan A. Stenberg Lawrence Richard Kirkendall Kjetil Klaveness Melby Anders Nielsen Selamawit Tekle Gobena Beatrix Alsanius Jorunn Børve Paal Krokene Christer Magnusson Mogens Nicolaisen Line Nybakken May-Guri Sæthre Iben Margrete ThomsenAbstract
VKM has assessed the environmental and health risks associated with the use of the mites Acarus siro and Suidasia pontifica as feed for various predatory insects and mites. Background POWERFOOD 3.0 is used as feed for various predatory mites and predatory insects. Acarus siro, Suidasia pontifica, and Carpoglyphus lactis constitute the product. Carpoglyphus lactis has previously been assessed by VKM. VKM has now prepared an environmental and health risk assessment of A. siro and S. pontifica. Conclusions Acarus siro occurs naturally in Norway, and new introductions will most likely be able to establish and spread in Norway. Suidasia pontifica, on the other hand, has never been recorded in the wild in Norway, and its tropical origin suggests that it will not establish and spread in Norway. No records of negative effects of A. siro and S. pontifica on biodiversity were found. Several studies report allergies to mites, including the species in the product POWERFOOD 3.0. The likelihood of developing mite allergies after handling the product is therefore high. However, the likelihood of allergic reactions following consumption of plants treated with the product appears to be low. Regarding taxonomic challenges that may affect the risk assessment, VKM found out that A. siro can be mistaken for A. farris and A. immobilis. These species differ only slightly in development and ecology. From the limited available knowledge about their biology, these three species are expected to have similar effects on biodiversity and human health. There are no known problems with species identification for Suidasia pontifica. The taxonomic issue with this species is that much of the literature uses an invalid name; S. medanensis. The risk assessment is approved by VKM's Panel on Plant Health.
Authors
Daniel Flø Johan A. Stenberg Lawrence Richard Kirkendall Anders Nielsen Selamawit Tekle Gobena Jorunn Børve Paal Krokene Christer Magnusson Mogens Nicolaisen Line Nybakken Iben Magrete Thomsen May-Guri Sæthre Sandra A.I. WrightAbstract
It is highly unlikely that Anagyrus vladimiri will be able to establish or spread in Norway. There are no native host organisms, and winter temperatures are too low. Therefore, it is likely that the parasitic wasp will not affect local biodiversity. Thus concludes the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment (VKM). Background VKM has assessed the environmental risk of using the product Citripar in Norway. The risk assessment was carried out at the request of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. Citripar, a product for biological control, is being sought for approval for use in Norway. The product contains the parasitic wasp Anagyrus vladimiri and is intended to be used against mealybugs, especially the species Planococcus citri and P. ficus, on fruits, berries, vegetables, and herbs in greenhouses and plastic tunnels, as well as on indoor plants. Conclusions There have been no reported observations of Anagyrus vladimiri in Norway. VKM assesses that Anagyrus vladimiri will not be able to establish and spread in Norway under current conditions. Anagyrus vladimiri will have no effect on biological diversity in Norway, as there are no known native host organisms that the wasp can parasitize. Individuals of what is now known as Anagyrus vladimiri were for many years identified as belonging to the species Anagyrus pseudococci. Anagyrus pseudococci and A. vladimiri belong to a complex of species that are almost impossible to distinguish from each other and are informally referred to as the Anagyrus pseudococci complex. The risk assessment is approved by VKM's Panel on Plant Health.
Authors
Anders Bryn Rune Halvorsen Peter Horvath Lasse Torben Keetz Ida Marielle Mienna Trond Simensen Olav Skarpaas Ingrid Vesterdal Tjessem Joachim Paul Töpper Vigdis Vandvik Liv Guri Velle Catharina Caspara VloonAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Even Unsgård Erling Meisingset Inger Maren Rivrud Gunn Randi Fossland Pål Thorvaldsen Vebjørn Veiberg Atle MysterudAbstract
No abstract has been registered
2024
Abstract
Species-rich natural and semi-natural ecosystems are under threat owing to land use change. To conserve the biodiversity associated with these ecosystems, we must identify and target conservation efforts towards functionally important species and supporting habitats that create connections between remnant patches in the landscape. Here, we use a multi-layer network approach to identify species that connect a metanetwork of plant–bee interactions in remnant semi-natural grasslands which are biodiversity hotspots in European landscapes. We investigate how these landscape connecting species, and their interactions, persist in their proposed supporting habitat, road verges, across a landscape with high human impact. We identify 11 plant taxa and nine bee species that connect semi-natural grassland patches. We find the beta diversity of these connector species to be low across road verges, indicating a poor contribution of these habitats to the landscape-scale diversity in semi-natural grasslands. We also find a significant influence of the surrounding landscape on the beta diversity of connector species and their interactions with implications for landscape-scale management. Conservation actions targeted toward species with key functional roles as connectors of fragmented ecosystems can provide cost-effective management of the diversity and functioning of threatened ecosystems.