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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.

2011

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Abstract

The species composition of wood-inhabiting fungi (polypores and corticoids) was investigated on 1138 spruce logs and 992 pine logs in 90 managed and 34 natural or near-natural spruce and pine forests in SE Norway. Altogether, the study included 290 species of wood-inhabiting fungi. Comparisons of logs with similar properties (standardized tree species, decay class, dimension class) in natural and managed forests showed a significant reduction in species number per log in managed spruce forests, but not in managed pine forests. The species number per log in managed spruce forests was 10–55% lower than on logs from natural spruce forests. The reduction was strongest on logs of large dimensions. A comparison of 200–400 spruce logs from natural and managed forests showed a 25% reduction in species richness corresponding to a conservative loss of ca. 40 species on a regional scale. A closer inspection revealed that species confined to medium and very decayed spruce logs were disfavored in managed forests, whereas species on early decay classes and decay generalists were unaffected. Similarly, species preferring large spruce logs were disfavored in managed forests. Forest management had strongest impact on low-frequent species in the spruce forests (more than 50% reduction), whereas common species were modestly affected. Corticoid fungi were more adversely affected than polypore fungi. These results indicate that wood-decaying fungi in pine forests are more adapted to forest disturbances than spruce-associated species. Management measures securing a continuous supply of dead wood are more important in spruce forests than in pine forests.

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Abstract

Aspen (Populus tremula L.) is associated with high biodiversity and provides high-quality forage for wild browsing herbivores in boreal and temperate ecosystems. The long-term persistence of aspen in many regions in Scandinavia has been questioned due to the historically high browsing levels. We here review the basic ecology, genetics and life histories of aspen in a browsing context. Browsers can suppress the regeneration of aspen and the relatively short lifespan of the trees result in frequent regeneration cycles and concurrent exposure to browsers. In the long term, browsing may reduce recruitment and delay maturation, increase mortality and ultimately cause a decline of aspen. Norwegian forest inventory data indicate a reduced recruitment rate of young aspen (diameter at breast height; 60–79 mm) during the last 25 years, but it is unclear whether this is all due to browsing. Regeneration may also be hampered by lack of disturbance. Recent genetic studies have shown that aspen may have substantial regeneration by seeds, which allows for effective migration. The main conclusion of this review is that although browsing may affect demography and local abundance of aspen, it is very unlikely to lead to the eradication of the species in Fennoscandia.

Abstract

The effect of different light environments on trap catches of Frankliniella occidentalis and Trialeurodes vaporariorum was investigated in a commercial greenhouse rose production unit during late autumn. Two top light treatments were used: 1) High pressure sodium lamps (HPSLs) and 2) HPSLs and light emitting diodes (LEDs) with 20% blue and 80% red light. More thrips and fewer whiteflies were caught on yellow sticky traps, and more thrips were found in the flowers, in areas were LEDs were used in addition to HPSLs compared to areas where only HPSLs were used. No effect of the light treatments was found on the population level of Amblyseius swirskii, but a lower ratio of predatory mites to thrips was found on the plants where LEDs were used. The results suggest that using blue and red LEDs as interlighting, or otherwise supplementary to HPSLs, will change thrips and whitefly spatial distribution in the rose crop, and that natural enemy release rates probably need to be adjusted accordingly.

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of whole-tree harvesting (WTH) on the growth of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) as compared to conventional stem harvesting (CH) over 10 and 20 years. Compensatory (WTH+ CoF) and normal nitrogen-based (CH + F or WTH+ F) fertilisation were also studied. A series of 22 field experiments were established during 1977–1987, representing a range of site types and climatic conditions in Finland, Norway and Sweden. The treatments were performed at the time of establishment and were repeated after 10–13 years at 11 experimental sites. Seven experiments were followed for 25 years. Volume increment was on average significantly lower after WTH than after CH in both 10-year periods in the spruce stands. In the pine stands thinned only once, the WTH induced growth reduction was significant during the second 10-year period, indicating a long-term response. Volume increment of pine stands was 4 and 8% and that of spruce stands 5 and 13% lower on the WTH plots than on CH during the first and the second 10-year period, respectively. For the second 10- year period the relative volume increment of the whole-tree harvested plots tended to be negatively correlated with the amount of logging residue. Accordingly, the relative volume increment decreased more, the more logging residue was harvested, stressing the importance of developing methods for leaving the nutrient-rich needles on site. If nutrient (N, P, K) losses with the removed logging residues were compensated with fertiliser (WTH+ CoF), the volume increment was equal to that in the CH plots. Nitrogen (150–180 kg ha−1) or N+ P fertilisation increased tree growth in all experiments except in one very productive spruce stand. Pine stands fertilised only once had a normal positive growth response during the first 10-year period, on average 13m3 ha−1, followed by a negative response of 5m3 ha−1 during the second 10-year period. The fertilisation effect of WTH+ F and WTH+ CoF on basal area increment was both smaller and shorter than with CH+ F.