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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.

2010

Abstract

An evident change in climate the last decades has been recorded, and combined effects of increased CO2, elevated temperature and altered precipitation regimes have been observed to represent a change to the fundamental drivers within ecosystems. Growth of moulds, both in nature and on man-made constructions and objects, will most likely increase due to changes in the climate. The survival, the reproduction, the dispersal and the geographic distribution of moulds are decided by both direct and indirect effects of climate change. Not only the moulds, but also their hosts and substrates, possible competitors and enemies will be affected by climate change. It is essential to understand the interactions between the members in these ecosystems to be able to control and predict future development of moulds. The effect of introducing new building directives, environmental friendly materials and products which are meant to oblige the demand for more climate friendly buildings and houses, is an aspect that may generate unexpected and unintended mould growth on man-made constructions and objects. Future research should focus on the interaction between the moulds, the hosts, the substrates and the climatic factors, and what implications future changes in building directives and housing policy will have on mould growth.

To document

Abstract

Protected Landscapes (PLs) are increasingly used in Norway to conserve cultural (human modified) landscapes. In many cases the maintenance of agricultural activities in PLs is required to preserve landscape character. Whilst research exists on land conservation policies in general, the particular effects of PL on management and adjustment of the farms involved have not received attention in the literature. We present results from a questionnaire sent to owners of agricultural land within PLs in Norway. Whilst landowners were divided upon the effects of PLs on farm management, the economic situation of the farm was little affected. Furthermore, changes in farm management after the establishment of a PL did not seem to have been driven by the establishment of the PLs per se. Most importantly, farm management changes were related to potential options to develop the farm and its land. A statistical model showed that PL-farms did not differ significantly from farms outside PL in the development of their land use or animal husbandry. Our findings thus indicate that the establishment of PL played a minor role as a driving force of changes in farm management and farm income.

Abstract

We monitored the effects of the drought stress on 20-year old clones of Norway spruce (Picea abies) by using a range of instrumental methods. On two experimental plots (Hoxmark, Norway, 59°40\"14`N, 10°47\"36`E) the drought was induced in a period between May and October 2009 by removing the throughfall using the rain shelters and trenching. We collected data on soil moisture, stem and branch sap flow, xylem diameter, anatomical and calorimetric analysis of the needles, fine root biomass and dynamics and resistance to pathogens. Standard meteorological data were collected locally throughout the whole period. Here we present the preliminary analysis of sap flow and xylem diameter in a period 1-17 august 2009. The sap flow was measured on stems in the breast height by using the method of stem tissue heat balance (THB, EMS Brno). The values were measured once in 2 minutes and saved as the average of 10 minutes. The fluctuations in xylem diameter was monitored by using the automatic dendrometers DR26 (EMS Brno). We evaluated both diurnal and seasonal dynamics. Preliminary results show a significant difference in shape of diurnal curves of transpiration as well as different time lag among the sap flow and the potential evapo-transpiration. Also the differences in diurnal dynamics of the stem circumference suggested different xylem water potential in stressed and control trees. In the drought-stressed trees the diurnal fluctuation in stem diameter was about 4 times higher and the total stem increment one third lower, com-pared to the control trees.

Abstract

Roundwood timber is raw material for numerous products. Wood based products are generally recognised as favourable regarding energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Several studies have shown that the net CO2 emissions can be reduced by using biofuels harvested from forests to substitute fossil fuels, and by using wood for building materials. Energy use and GHG emissions associated with producing roundwood can be influenced by a broad range of factors, such as silvicultural practice, topography, applied technology, forestland ownership, industrial structure, etc. This emphasizes the importance of using representative data for energy use and GHG emissions when calculating environmental impacts. The aim of this study was to investigate the embodied energy and life cycle GHG emissions of industrial softwood sawlogs in Norway, covering the production chain from tree seed to log yard. Analyses were based on activity data for the Norwegian forest sector for the year 2007. The results showed that the embodied energy and GHG emissions were low compared with the energy and CO2-equivalents stored in the roundwood (about 2%). The findings from this study can be used to inform future decisions on processes in forestry that should be focused on when planning actions to reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions. Additionally, as roundwood timber is raw material for numerous products the results can be useful when preparing documentation of environmental impacts, such as environmental product declarations, which are increasingly demanded by the market.