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.
2024
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Authors
Gaute Velle Paul Ragnar Berg Johanna Järnegren Martin Malmstrøm Anders Bryn Kjetil Hindar Lawrence R. Kirkendall Kyrre Linné Kausrud Erlend Birkeland Nilsen Brett Kevin Sandercock Eva Bonsak Thorstad Anders NielsenAbstract
The Norwegian Environment Agency asked VKM to evaluate the risks to biodiversity associated with the importation of eight species of live crabs intended for human consumption. Background Invasive crab species represent a significant threat to biodiversity globally due to their omnivory, adaptability to diverse habitats, high reproductive output, and aggressive behaviour. The Norwegian Environment Agency has raised concerns about the potential ecological risks posed by the import of live crabs to Norway intended for human consumption. This report provides a risk assessment of eight species of crabs that could have negative effects on native biodiversity. The species include Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis), Japanese mitten crab (E. japonica), blue crab (Callinectes sapidus), Atlantic rock crab (Cancer irroratus), Asian paddle crab (Charybdis japonica), common moon crab (Matuta victor), African blue swimming crab (Portunus segnis), and Harris mud crab (Rhithropanopeus harrisii). Three of the assessed species were recently confiscated at Norway's border. This suggests a market demand that could increase the frequency of introductions to Norway. Methods VKM established a working group with expertise in invertebrates and risk assessment. The group searched scientific literature for information on the taxonomy, natural history, invasiveness, and ecology for each crab species. If scientific literature was lacking, supplemental google searches allowed for a broader understanding of species with limited research or on the use and transportation of live crabs as food. The assessment utilized the EICAT framework (Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa) to identify potential mechanisms by which each species could harm native biodiversity, should imported specimens become established in Norwegian nature. Key mechanisms include competition, predation, pathogen transmission, and hybridization. The relevant mechanisms were analysed for each species by rating the potential magnitude of impact on biodiversity from minimal to massive. The likelihood of each impact was assessed from very unlikely to very likely. A combination of magnitude of impact and likelihood resulted in final risk levels ranging from low and medium to possibly high and high. Confidence levels for each assessment were also categorized as low, medium, or high based on expert opinion. Results The potential hazards evaluated under the EICAT framework include competition, predation, and transmission of disease for all species, grazing for four species and structural impacts on the ecosystem for three species. The conditions required for crabs imported live for human consumption to reach a natural ecosystem in Norway include a commercial demand for crabs, survival during transport and handling, and the possibility of release or escape. If these conditions for reaching a natural ecosystem are met, the species must then be capable of establishment in the new ecosystem. There are several examples of species imported live for human consumption becoming established in the wild, most likely due to intentional release. The risk assessments indicate varied levels of risk across the five hazards. Competition from E. sinensis or E. japonica was assessed to pose a high risk, while competition from C. sapidus, C. irroratus, M. victor, P. segnis, or R. harrisii was assessed to pose a medium risk. Predation by E. sinensis or E. japonica was assessed to pose a high risk and predation from R. harrisii, C. sapidus, C. irroratus, M. victor, or P. segnis was assessed to pose a medium risk. Transmission of disease from either E. sinensis or E. japonica was assessed to pose a high risk, while there was a possibly high risk of disease transmission from C. irroratus. The diseases of highest concern include the crayfish plague (Aphanomyces astaci) and gaffkaemia (Aerococcus viridans var. homari). Finally, there was a moderate risk of ......
Authors
Even Unsgård Erling Meisingset Inger Maren Rivrud Gunn Randi Fossland Pål Thorvaldsen Vebjørn Veiberg Atle MysterudAbstract
In Europe, over a third of the agricultural area is grass meadows used for livestock grazing and fodder production. Grass meadows provide a food source for wild ungulates causing human-wildlife conflicts due to forage removal. Few experimental studies have quantified biomass loss with enough replicates to determine how surrounding environments influences level of biomass removal. Using an exclosure experiment on 57 grassland meadows over five years at the northwest coast of Norway covering 10 650 km2, we quantified biomass removal by red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) and how environmental factors impacted biomass loss (Study 1). Furthermore, we examined development of biomass loss and crude protein concentration in five fields throughout the growing season (Study 2). The average predicted biomass loss to red deer grazing was 16% for the first harvest, and 7.3% for the second harvest (Study 1). Biomass loss increased with red deer density from 0% at the lowest density (0.6 red deer harvested/km2) to 31% at the highest density (4 red deer harvested/km2). Biomass loss increased from 12% to 32.8% as terrain ruggedness index (TRI) rose from 2.1 to 7.1. Absolute biomass loss increased towards time of grass harvest (Study 2). Crude protein concentration was higher in unfenced plots during the period before first harvest, but not between first and second harvest (Study 2). The quantification of biomass removal at a large spatial scale over several years in this study provides a better understanding of factors causing variation in losses.
Authors
Fride Høistad Schei Mie Prik Arnberg John-Arvid Grytnes Maren Stien Johansen Jørund Johansen Anna Birgitte Milford Anders Røynstrand Mari Mette TollefsrudAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Lawrence Richard Kirkendall Kyrre Linné Kausrud Martin Malmstrøm Paul Ragnar Berg Anders Bryn Kjetil Hindar Johanna Järnegren Anders Nielsen Erlend Birkeland Nilsen Brett Kevin Sandercock Eva Bonsak Thorstad Gaute VelleAbstract
The Norwegian Environment Agency has asked VKM to evaluate the risks to biodiversity associated with the import of two species of leeches to Norway, Hirudo medicinalis and H. verbana (so-called medicinal leeches). In addition, they ask that the project group suggest mitigating measures that could reduce any potential risks, should import of the two species be granted. Background Bloodsucking leeches have been employed by humans for millennia. The two species Hirudo medicinalis and H. verbana have dominated the trade in medicinal leeches in Europe. Overcollection combined with loss or degradation of freshwater habitats led to a precipitous decline in European populations by the 1800s and led to a corresponding increase in imports from Turkey, North Africa, Russia and the Middle East. By the turn of the 19th century, the demand for live leeches in Europe had tapered off as contemporary medicine developed, only to have a small resurgence over the last decades as live leeches became recognized as useful for a variety of medical and cosmetic procedures, and to be the source of bioactive molecules of interest to medical researchers. As traditional medicine in Asia also uses a variety of leech products, there is a robust global market for live leeches and leech derivatives that is being met mostly by leech aquaculture, where the live leech trade seems dominated by H. verbana. There is increasing interest in commercializing production and sale of three similar leech species, H. orientalis from Central Asia, H. sulukii from a small region in Turkey, and H. troctina from North Africa. Hirudo medicinalis has been used medicinally in Norway since at least the Middle Ages when they were used by barber-surgeons for bloodletting. Leeches have been dispensed by apothecaries up until the end of the 1950s. Phylogeographic studies have treated the species as native to southern Norway and the Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre has numerous records of H. medicinalis, with recent records primarily from the eastern coast of southern Norway. The Norwegian Red List for Species categorizes H. medicinalis as being of Least Concern in Norway. Hirudo verbana naturally occurs in southern Europe and has not been observed in Scandinavia so far (see map in Figure 2). Methods for the risk assessment VKM established a small working group with expertise in invertebrates and risk assessment. Our group combed the scientific literature and relevant websites for information on the taxonomy, natural history, ecology, and medical uses of medicinal leeches broadly and H. medicinalis and H. verbana specifically. The project group contacted major leech providers in Europe and North America to learn more about leech production and sale. Using the EICAT (Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa) system developed by the IUCN, The project group identified those mechanisms (“hazards”) through which these two species could affect native biodiversity in Norway should imported specimens become established in Norwegian nature, and characterized the risk related to each of these hazards. The project group then conducted a semi-quantitative risk assessment for the species according to four categories: Low, Medium, Possibly high, and High risk. Hazards: how likely, how impactful, and overall risks In our report, VKM regard H. medicinalis as a native species, since it is so treated by Hirudo experts and is widespread in Norway. The project group regards H. verbana as non-native to Norway. The potential hazards from the EICAT system that could be associated with introducing one or both species include predation and parasitism, competition, disease transmission, and hybridization. ................................ .................................... Conclusions VKM concludes that the overall risk to biodiversity in Norway from importing live H. medicinalis and H. verbana is low.
Abstract
This study aims to analyze the main drivers behind summer farm tourism and the elements of summer farms and the summer farm experience that create value for tourists. The study contributes to the conceptualization of summer farm food consumption. By combining concepts used in the analysis of rural tourism, such as postmodernity and cultural heritage, with the hospitality-oriented Five Aspects Meal Model, we offer a new avenue to understand the drivers behind summer farm tourism. Empirically, the study contributes by bringing a hospitality perspective into research about rural tourism, thus offering new avenues for future research. The results show that intrinsic and extrinsic values (e.g. product-specific and non-product-specific characteristics) of summer farm products, along with a welcoming atmosphere, aspects related to the cultural and biological heritage of summer farms, the scenery, and the possibility of encountering real-life animals, are appreciated elements in creating consumer and tourist value. Tourists appreciate the simple rural experience and wish to preserve the cultural heritage embedded in summer farms. Furthermore, traditional elements of hospitality are highly conditioned by postmodern and cultural heritage values.
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No abstract has been registered
Authors
Charles D. Minsavage-Davis G. Matt Davies Siri Vatsø Haugum Pål Thorvaldsen Liv Guri Velle Vigdis VandvikAbstract
No abstract has been registered