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
Merijn van den Bosch Marta De Barba Andreas Zedrosser Nuria Selva Niko Balkenhol Luigi Maiorano Julien Renaud Gregor Simcic Ainhoa Graciarena Shane C. Frank Anne G. Hertel Aida Parres Hüseyin Ambarlı Andriy‐Taras Bashta Natalia Bragalanti Henrik Brøseth Mark Chynoweth Duško Ćirović Paolo Ciucci Csaba Domokos Aleksandar Dutsov Alper Ertürk Ancuta Fedorca Mihai Fedorca Stefano Filacorda Slavomir Finďo Luca Fumagalli Miguel de Gabriel Hernando Claudio Groff Snorre Hagen Bledi Hoxha Djuro Huber Otso Huitu Georgeta Ionescu Ovidiu Ionescu Klemen Jerina Alexandros Karamanlidis Jonas Kindberg Ilpo Kojola Alexander Kopatz Diana Krajmerová José Vicente López‐Bao Peep Männil Yorgos Mertzanis Anja Molinari‐Jobin Paolo Molinari Andrea Mustoni Javier Naves Sergey Ogurtsov Deniz Özüt Santiago Palazon Jasmin Pasic Ladislav Paule Milan Paunović Aleksandar Perovic Stefano Pesaro Vladimir Piminov Mihai I. Pop Maria Psaralexi Pierre Yves Quenette Georg Rauer Slaven Reljic Eloy Revilla Urmas Saarma Alexander Saveljev Ali Onur Sayar Cagan Sekercioglu Agnieszka Sergiel Tomaz Skrbinsek Michaela Skuban Anil Soyumert Aleksandar Stojanov Konstantin Tirronen Aleksandër Trajçe Igor Trbojević Tijana Trbojević Filip Zięba Diana Zlatanova Tomasz Zwijacz‐Kozica Jerrold L. BelantAbstract
Aim Large carnivores worldwide have experienced substantial range contractions due to human activities, though several species are recolonising parts of their historical range. We aimed to assess current and potential European brown bear ( Ursus arctos arctos ) habitat as well as habitat connectivity on a continental scale. Location The extended biogeographical regions of Europe, spanning from Portugal to central Russia, longitudinally, and from Norway to Türkiye, latitudinally. Excluding inland seas; this area covers 11,151,636 km 2 . Methods We assessed habitat suitability throughout the study area using an ensemble species distribution model with nine submodels, using data from 10 European bear populations and Türkiye. We used the resulting habitat suitability maps to conduct a least‐cost path connectivity analysis and an omnidirectional circuit connectivity analysis. Main Conclusions Habitat suitability was strongly associated with low percentages of agricultural cover, low percentages of human development, and proximity to forest. Of our entire study area, 37% (4.09 million km 2 ) is occupied or potentially suitable for bears. Connectivity analyses identified corridors that could facilitate movement among southern European bear populations, though agricultural land and human development limit connectivity between northern and southern European bear populations. Previous research estimated bears occupied 0.5 million km 2 across the European Union, while our results estimate 1.82 million km 2 of this part of our study area is potentially suitable for bears, though connectivity is limited. Our results inform conservation strategies and policy development for the future of brown bears in Europe, emphasising the need for transboundary conservation efforts.
Authors
Nina Johansen Hans Geir Eiken Simeon Rossmann May Bente Brurberg Monica Skogen Marta Bosque Fajardo Borghild Glorvigen Toril Eklo Finn-Arne Haugen Snorre Hagen Erik LysøeAbstract
Several aphid species pose serious treats to potato crops by causing direct damage to the plants and/or indirectly by transmitting viruses. Different morphological forms and phenotypic plasticity among aphids complicates taxonomy and identification and thus makes targeted pest management in potatoes challenging. To obtain an overview of aphids frequenting potato fields in Norway, we investigated seasonal and annual changes in aphid populations in five potato fields (58–64 °N) over a three-year period (2016–2018), using yellow pan traps. In total 2218 of the 6136 collected aphids were identified by traditional barcoding, meaning sequencing a ~ 650 fragment of the mitochondrial COI gene. This revealed 137 different species, of which 111 were identified at the species level. The remaining were identified only to the genus level, indicating potential novel species. The southernmost sampling location yielded the highest number of species and individual counts, although no clear correlations to climate factors (temperature/precipitation) was observed. Of the 111 species identified, at least 39 are potential vectors of potato virus Y (PVY) and nine species may also transmit potato virus A (PVA). Knowledge on virus vector and non-vector aphid abundance and phenology have the potential to improve pest management of potato cultivation.
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Getu Hailu Majdi Abou Najm Paul Eric Aspholm Tirupati Bolisetti Colleen Charles Ranjan Datta Trine Eggen Belinda Eline Flem Margot Hurlbert Meriam Karlsson Arthur Nash Narasinha Shurpali Radha Sivarajan Sajeevan David Parsons Adrian Unc Govert Valkenburg Danielle Wilde Bing Wu Sandra F. Yanni Debasmita MisraAbstract
One of the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs), SDG 7, is to “ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.” This goal addresses the need for environmental sustainability while highlighting energy’s vital role in promoting social and economic justice. It calls for sustainable, affordable, modern, and reliable energy usage for the health and well-being of society while mitigating climate change. Here, we briefly review available literature and data to examine how renewable energy, food security, and sustainability are interconnected in Arctic countries and regions, and how these regions can “ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all” and progress towards achieving food self-sufficiency by integrating renewable energy sources into food production systems. We analyze several case studies to draw conclusions on how Arctic communities can become resilient, sustainable, and economically prosperous by promoting local food production while preserving cultural practices.
Abstract
A survey was conducted in Porsangmoen-Halkavarre shooting and training range. This report summarizes the results of exploratory fishing and extensive environmental surveys carried out in 2024 in five lakes: Store Ikkasvann (Stuorra Inggasjávri), Lille Ikkasvann (Unna Inggasjávri), almijervi (Coalbmejávri), Lille Russevann (Bajit Russojávri) and Store Russevann (Stuorra Russojávri), as well as in Ørretbekken, an important spawning stream for the trout (Salmo trutta) population in Store Ikkasvann (Stuorra Inggasjávri). The study includes catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE, species distribution, growth and biometrics), water chemical and physical analyses, sediment studies, as well as observations of macrophytes and habitat conditions. The aim was to document variations in fish communities and ecological status, and to identify possible environmental challenges that may affect future management and conservation of the resources in the area. The findings show that trout predominate in the shallow areas (0–6 m deep) of Store Ikkasvann (Stuorra Inggasjávri) and Lille Ikkasvann (Unna Inggasjávri), while char (Salvelinus alpinus) is more abundant in the deeper water layers. In Salmijervi (Coalbmejávri), the species distribution is more balanced, while Store Russevann (Stuorra Russojávri) and Lille Russevann (Bajit Russojávri) are characterized by a higher density of char. Minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus) was found in three of the lakes, especially in shallow areas, which can affect traut grawth thraugh competition and predation. Biometric analyses indicate that traut graw fastest in Lille Russevann (Bajit Russojåvri) (with 5.1 cm annual grawth) and slowest in Salmijervi (Coalbmejåvri) (4.3 cm), while char maintains a steady growth of about 5 cm per year. Colour differences in fish meat·suggest that a high percentage of traut from Store Russevann (Stuorra Russojåvri) and Lille Russevann (Bajit Russojåvri), and both traut and char from Store Ikkasvann (Stuorra Inggasjåvri) and Lille Ikkasvann (Unna Inggasjåvri) have a more reddish color, possibly due to a higher intake of crustaceans. The parasite occurrence in traut and char was generally low, except for fish in Salmijervi (Coalbmejåvri), where increased bird activity may have led to higher infection rates. Water chemistry measurements showed that most water bodies have good water quality with low concentrations of lead, same copper and zinc, relatively low nutrient concentrations, a high con tent of calcium carbonate and thus stable pH values (7-8). At the same time, the analyses oflake sediments indicate good condition for lead (which is an EU priority substance), but occasionally poor to very poor status for copper and chramium, as well as high concentrations of nickel. Nickel, copper and chramium occur naturally in minerals in the catchment area. A mapping of bioaccumulation of heavy metals could be done to get an idea of base line concentrations in fish in the area. Observations of heteratraphic grawth increasing down the watercourse, possibly associated with sewage discharges or other organic loads, underscore the need for DNA-based source tracing to precisely define the sources of pollution. The traut stream, which maintains high densities of traut and is in very good ecological condition, must be managed with special consideration, where raad construction and other activities must be thoraughly assessed with risk analyses, strict mass management and sediment control. Overall, the report shows that the ecological water quality is good to very good, and fish stocks in most of the lakes have good spawning and grawth conditions, with same regional differences related to habitat use and grawth conditions. The management should adopt a holistic, catchment-oriented approach to new interventions in the area, with a fous on minimising the impact on water bodies and ensuring sustainable use of resources. More detailed suggestions are mentioned in the report, which forms a basis for further monitoring and enviranmental measures to preserve biodiversity and , maintain the good ecological status of the entire area.
Authors
Junbin Zhao Cornelya Klutsch Hanna Marika Silvennoinen Carla Stadler David Kniha Runar Kjær Svein Wara Mikhail MastepanovAbstract
Drained cultivated peatlands are recognized as substantial global carbon emission sources, prompting the exploration of water level elevation as a mitigation strategy. However, the efficacy of raised water table level (WTL) in Arctic/subarctic regions, characterized by continuous summer daylight, low temperatures and short growing seasons, remains poorly understood. This study presents a two‐year field experiment conducted at a northernmost cultivated peatland site in Norway. We used sub‐daily CO 2 , CH 4 , and N 2 O fluxes measured by automatic chambers to assess the impact of WTL, fertilization, and biomass harvesting on greenhouse gas (GHG) budgets and carbon balance. Well‐drained plots acted as GHG sources as substantial as those in temperate regions. Maintaining a WTL between −0.5 and −0.25 m effectively reduces CO 2 emissions, without significant CH 4 and N 2 O emissions, and can even result in a net GHG sink. Elevated temperatures, however, were found to increase CO 2 emissions, potentially attenuating the benefits of water level elevation. Notably, high WTL resulted in a greater suppression of maximum photosynthetic CO 2 uptake compared to respiration, and, yet caused lower net CO 2 emissions due to a low light compensation point that lengthens the net CO 2 uptake periods. Furthermore, the long summer photoperiod in the Arctic also enhanced net CO 2 uptake and, thus, the efficacy of CO 2 mitigation. Fertilization primarily enhanced biomass production without substantially affecting CO 2 or CH 4 emissions. Conversely, biomass harvesting led to a significant carbon depletion, even at a high WTL, indicating a risk of land degradation. These results suggest that while elevated WTL can effectively mitigate GHG emissions from cultivated peatlands, careful management of WTL, fertilization, and harvesting is crucial to balance GHG reduction with sustained agricultural productivity and long‐term carbon storage. The observed compatibility of GHG reduction and sustained grass productivity highlights the potential for future paludiculture implementation in the Arctic.
Authors
Anna Seniczak Cornelya Klutsch Stanisław Seniczak Snorre Hagen Fredrik Andreas Selmer Stephen James CoulsonAbstract
We present five new records of soil oribatid mites, including four found in the Norwegian subarctic, in Finnmark: Chamobates voigtsi (Oudemans, 1902), Hermannia nodosa Michael, 1888, Kunstidamaeus nidicola (Willmann, 1936) and Oribatella sexdentata Berlese, 1916, and one found in Svalbard: Scutozetes arcticus Ermilov & Makarova, 2021. This paper presents details of these new records and comments on the known distribution and ecology of the species.
Authors
Sławomir Kaczmarek Tomasz Marquardt Snorre Hagen Cornelya Klutsch Steffen Roth Anna SeniczakAbstract
To date, only adults of Zercon forsslundi have been known. According to the description of this species, it has been the first report of Zercon with clear differences in opisthonotal chaetotaxy between females and males, a unique character in the genus. At the same time, Z. forsslundi belongs to a unique group of Zercon species with dorsal setae J5 in females clearly longer than setae J1 – J4 , the latter ones being short and of similar length. Our description is the first-ever report on the full morphological ontogeny of Z. forsslundi , the mite species, the adult which is the most similar to the recently described Zercon hamaricus and to a lesser extent to Zercon polonicus . The morphological closeness of the above-mentioned species has been confirmed in immature stages. We also studied the geographic distribution of Z. forsslundi and its above-mentioned congeners with remarks on their evolutionary affinity on the background of dispersal abilities and faunal dispersal after the Last Glacial Maximum. We also report the occurrence of Z. forsslundi and Z. hamaricus in the Northern Norway for the first time. Ranges of Z. forsslundi and Z. hamaricus overlap in the area of N Norway. Also, the microenvironmental sympatry was confirmed for these taxa. We also proved the niche overlap of these two species, which is probably limited to the northern verge of Eurasia. Zercon polonicus , not present in the current Arctic fauna, probably is a post-glacial relict, inhabiting more southern mountainous areas of Europe (Carpathians and Alps).
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Abstract
No abstract has been registered