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.
2013
Abstract
The fauna of surface-active spiders was studied in 12 cereal fields, with two types of subcrop, and in four young (17 months old) perennial leys (grass/clover). The fields were located in the southeastern (A), central (B) and western (C) parts of Norway. In total, 3945 spiders were caught from May to September 2004, using pitfall traps. Linyphidae was the most numerous family, with Erigone atra Blackwall 1833 representing 56% of all trapped individuals. The total numbers of spider species and individuals were significantly higher in leys than in barley at sites where both crops were present (sites A and B), with on average 11 species and 93 specimens in barley, and 20 species and 393 specimens in leys. Thus, young perennial leys appeared to provide a better habitat for spiders than did cereal fields, as has previously been documented for older perennial leys. The use of multi-species crops instead of a single crop species undersown in cereals, tended to result in higher spider species diversity, but it did not influence the total number of specimens. An ordination (DCA) showed a clustering of the spider fauna from the same site, but no clear separation between main crop types (ley vs. barley) was apparent. The main crops, subcrops, and the surrounding environs of the cropped field seem to affect the diversity and abundance of spiders.
Authors
James David Mervyn Speed Erling Meisingset Gunnar Austrheim Alison J. Hester Atle Mysterud Jean-Pierre Tremblay Erling Johan SolbergAbstract
Browsing by cervids plays a key role in structuring forest ecosystems and dynamics. Many boreal forest systems are managed for timber resources, and at the same time the wild cervid populations are also harvested. Thus, the determination of sustainable densities of cervids for the purpose of forest and game management is challenging. In this study we report on a red deer (Cervus elaphus) exclosure experiment in the mature forests of Western Norway. Ten pairs of exclosures and browsed plots were initiated in 2008. The rate of browsing and height growth of marked individuals was recorded annually, and the total densities of all tree species assessed over the following 4 y. We found that height growth of rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) saplings (1 m tall), the most numerous tree species at the site, was prevented when 20% of the shoots were browsed. Outside of the exclosures, net height growth of rowan saplings tended to be positive when trees were below 40 cm in height, but growth was constrained in rowan saplings over this height. The density of rowan also increased in both treatments, showing that recruitment was occurring, but the increase was greater where browsed than in the exclosure. The increase in density of rowan, combined with the curtailment of height growth in the presence of red deer, serves to create a carpet of short stature rowan saplings. This has parallels with the browsing lawn concept, but it seems to occur in interaction with snow depth; individuals protruding above the snow layer are likely to be browsed during the winter, whilst smaller individuals are protected during this season, when browsing is at its peak. Keywords: browsing lawns, Cervidae, Cervus elaphus, herbivory, snow depth, sustainable management. Résumé : Le broutement par les cervidés joue un rôle clé dans la composition, la structure et la dynamique des écosystèmes forestiers. De nombreux systèmes forestiers boréaux sont gérés à la fois pour la production de ressources ligneuses et la chasse sportive des cervidés. Un enjeu majeur réside dans la détermination d’une densité de cervidés permettant une exploitation durable de ces ressources. Dans cette étude, nous rapportons une expérience d’exclusion du cerf élaphe (Cervus elaphus) dans les forêts matures de l’ouest de la Norvège basée sur 10 paires d’exclos et de parcelles accessibles au broutement établies en 2008. Nous avons mesuré annuellement durant 4 ans le taux de broutement et de croissance verticale de semis et de gaulis marqués et estimé les densités totales de toutes les espèces d'arbres. Hors des exclos, la croissance des gaules (1 m de haut) de sorbier des oiseleurs (Sorbus aucuparia), l’espèce ligneuse la plus abondante sur le site, était compromise lorsque 20 % des pousses étaient broutées. Nous avons observé une tendance positive dans la croissance des gaules de moins de 40 cm alors qu’elle était compromise au-delà de ce seuil. La densité de sorbiers a également augmenté à l’intérieur et à l’extérieur des exclos révélant un recrutement positif, toutefois l'augmentation de la densité était plus marquée dans les parcelles soumises au broutement. L'augmentation de la densité de sorbiers, combinée à la réduction de la croissance en hauteur, en présence du cerf élaphe génère une strate dense de sorbiers de petite stature. Cette situation présente des similitudes avec le concept de haie de pâturage (browsing lawn), mais pourrait être liée à l’épaisseur de neige au sol. En effet, les arbustes qui dépassent la couche nivale sont plus susceptibles d’être broutés que les plus petits qui sont protégés en hiver lorsque la consommation d’espèces ligneuses est maximale. Mots-clés : cervidés, Cervus elaphus, épaisseur de neige, exploitation durable, haie de pâturage, herbivorie
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Authors
Jens Kværner Petter SnilsbergAbstract
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Authors
Sissel Hansen Randi Berland Frøseth Anne Kjersti Bakken Hugh Riley Kristian Thorup-Kristensen Marina Azzaroli BlekenAbstract
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Abstract
The calculation of the embedded energy (EE) of twenty barns shows that there is a considerable variation of EE per cow, where the lowest values were one fourth of the highest. Use of timber instead of concrete in walls had most effect to reduce the amount of EE. Cold barns can contribute to reduce the amount of EE, while the amount of EE is higher in free-stall than in tie-stall barns.While for an existing building the amount of EE is nearly fixed, calculating the anticipated amount for a new building can contribute to reduce this value considerably. This progress can help to reduce energy use in organic agriculture and thus contribute to a more sustainable production. Incorporating EE in planning new buildings should be of special importance for organic farming, since regulations demand for more area per animal than in conventional farming. In addition to building new, renovation and extension as well as recycling of building materials should be considered. Planning a new building should also include other topics as operational energy, as well as working conditions, animal welfare and economic considerations.
Abstract
The mating system ofCapercaillie has been referred to as “exploded lek” because displaying males are spaced farther apart than on classical leks. However, inter-male distances and spacing behavior rarely have been quantified. In 2009–2011, we examined the spatial relationships of males on two leks in southeastern Norway by GPS satellite telemetry. Largely exclusive display territories (median 2 ha) surrounded the mating site, but the males spent most of the time displaying on smaller, well-defined display sites (median 182 m2) within their territories. When on their display sites, neighboring birds were spaced 64–212 m apart; decreasing to a minimum during the time of mating. Occasionally, males made long exploratory excursions (median 243 m) across the territories of neighbors, sometimes interacting with them at close distance (< 10m). During daytime, males resided solitarily in radially extending ranges within 1 km of the lek center, commuting to the lek either in the evening or morning by walking or flying, leaving in the morning mostly by walking. The distance from the lek center to night roosting trees and daytime resting areas decreased during the mating season. With interacting males and a spatial arrangement in-between that of classical leks and dispersed polygyny, the term “exploded lek” seems appropriate for the mating system of Capercaillie.