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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.

2008

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Abstract

A possible cost-effective real-time patch spraying implementation against seed-propagated broad-leaved weeds in cereals is a camera mounted in front of the tractor taking images at feasible distances in the direction of travel, on-board image analysis software and entire boom switched on and off. To assess this implementation, manual weed counts (0.25 m(2) quadrats) in a 1.5 m x 2 m grid, were used to simulate camera outputs. Each quadrat was classified into 'spray' and 'not spray' decisions based on a threshold model, and the resulting map defined the 'ground truth'. Subsequently, 'on/off' spraying at larger control areas where sizes were given by the boom width and image distance, and spraying decision controlled by weed status at the single quadrat simulating the camera's view, were simulated. These coarser maps were compared with 'ground truth', to estimate mapping error (area above threshold not sprayed), spraying error (area below threshold sprayed), total error (sum of mapping and spraying error) and the herbicide reduction. Three levels of the threshold model were tested. Results were used to fit models that predict errors from boom width and image distance. Size of control area did not on average affect the magnitude of the simulated herbicide reductions, but the bigger the control area the higher the risk that the simulated herbicide reduction deviate from the reduction in 'ground truth'. Mean simulated herbicide reductions were 42-59%, depending on threshold level. Only minor differences due to threshold level were seen for mean mapping and spraying errors at given spraying resolutions. Using original threshold level and image distance 2 m, predicted total errors for boom widths 2 m, 6 m, 20 m and 40 m would be 6%, 10%, 16% and 17%, respectively. Results indicate that control area should not exceed about 10 m 2 if acceptable total error is maximum 10%.

Abstract

In this paper we discuss some computational experiments on simulating refinery operations. We compare an integrated approach with recursively solving a production planning and sales planning problem. We test two different descriptions of the demand behaviour. The first is based on a fixed lower and upper limit and the second on a demand that varies with the product price. We also test the impact of different number of time periods in the planning horizon. We simulate the behaviour when detailed information of the demand is available.

Abstract

Extensive timber imports represent potential introduction pathways for exotic bark beetles (Col: Scolytidae) that may pose ecological hazards and economical risks to native forests. One such species, Ips amitinus Eichh., has been intercepted several times at Norwegian ports of entry in the years since 2002, the year of the first Scandinavian record. Detection of overwintering individuals of I. amitinus at the timber storage site of import timber and preliminary results of a stepwise import model may suggest a high risk of establishment and spread in Norway spruce forests in Scandinavia.Using various modeling approaches, our goal is to reduce the risk of introduction, establishment, and spread of introduced bark beetles. Our objectives are to:model the processes of dispersal and establishment of arriving bark beetlesexplore to what extent an introduced species interacting with native Ips typographus L., the most dominant species in Norway spruce, will lead to stronger and more frequent outbreaks of I. typographusassess potential patterns of spread of newly established bark beetle species and the spatiotemporal outbreak dynamics resulting from interactions between native and introduced species; andadvise on the implications for forest industry and management.Here we present current efforts to model dispersal (objective 1). Dispersal patterns, and hence rates of establishment and spread, may vary considerably depending on dispersal behaviors of insects, such as directionality of movement and aggregation propensity. To assess underlying assumptions of dispersal models, we are using an individual-based model where traits governing dispersal are inherited with random mutations. Individual reproductive success is determined by resource availability and density-dependence in a simulated landscape governed by external forces (e.g., windfellings) and beetle activity (consumption of resources). Evolvable traits include straight line vs. random-walk flight paths and aggregation propensity.Model simulations show that the chance of successful reproduction is greatest for intermediate to high levels of directionality, and that directionality increases over time up to a certain point determined by the landscape features as well as other traits of the species. Assuming limited (local) information in a stochastic landscape, intermediate to high degree of flight directionality is selected for.