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.
2025
Authors
Vincent Biard Piia Mutka Mairi Young Marja Niemi Tommi Nyman Milaja Nykänen Mervi KunnasrantaAbstract
While social network analysis was originally developed for human sociology studies, it is also a valuable tool for characterizing behavioural aspects in many animal populations. For instance, social network analysis can be used for assessing the transmission of diseases or information within groups. Here, we describe co-occurrences and potential social associations of ringed seals, Pusa hispida saimensis, in Lake Saimaa, Finland, from 2016 to 2022, based on photoidentification data. Throughout seven successive moulting seasons (April to June), we identified 425 individuals, of which 178 had pairwise co-occurrences in altogether 185 dyads. These seals had a variable number of associates (up to 10), and co-occurrences were observed in 1–7 years. In general, observations of pairs or larger groups of seals (up to five individuals) were rare, and mainly occurred in the two most densely populated basins of the lake. Most of the group observations occurred on ice rather than on rocks. Overall, the fragmented nature of the lake system, site fidelity and moulting habitat availability are key factors that probably affect the observed co-occurrences. Most of the dyads were observed during only one year, which may indicate social tolerance while using the same moulting site. However, 21 dyads were observed during multiple moulting seasons, with some at different sites separated by up to 3 km in different years, suggesting the existence of actual long-lasting associations. Our study represents the first description of co-occurrences and potential social associations in the endangered Saimaa ringed seal. These results can be used for designing and implementing mitigation strategies in case of unforeseen and sudden changes in the environment, such as a disease outbreak.
Authors
Maxime Eeraerts Julia Osterman Péter Batáry Alexandra Maria Klein Matthias Albrecht Georg K.S. Andersson András Báldi Olivia M. Bernauer Leah Blechschmidt Eleanor J. Blitzer Paulo A.V. Borges Jordi Bosch Katherine L.W. Burns Alistair J. Campbell Sílvia Castro James M. Cook Robin Daelemans Bryan N. Danforth Arjen G. de Groot Kinley Dorji Rita Földesi Hannah R. Gaines Day Daniel García Lucas A. Garibaldi Michael P.D. Garratt Andrew Gonzalez Heather Grab Claudio Gratton Maren Kristine Koffeld Halvorsen Peter A. Hambäck Bjørn Arild Hatteland Olivier Honnay Eva Hulsmans Sandra Kaasen Vestheim David Kleijn Anikó Kovács-Hostyánszki Martin J. Lechowicz Nicolas Leclercq Yunhui Liu João Loureiro Rachel E. Mallinger Leon Marshall Ivan Meeus Marcos Miñarro Diego N. Nabaes Jodar Adara Pardo Mia G. Park Robert J. Paxton Néstor Pérez-Méndez Rafael A. Pincante De Carvalho Paavo Pirttilehto Matti Pisman Simon G. Potts Nigel E. Raine James R. Reilly Laura Roquer-Beni Ulrika Samnegård Dara A. Stanley Louis Sutter Kyle Teixeira-Martins Simon M. Tierney Ruan Veldtman Nicolas J. Vereecken Felix Wäckers Timothy Weekers Julianna K. Wilson Panlong Wu Kris VerheyenAbstract
1. Apple is one of the most important pollinator-dependent fruit crops worldwide. To secure high-quality yields, it is crucial to know which, and to what extent, pollinating insects contribute to its pollination success as measured by fruit set, fruit weight and seed set. 2. We perform a meta-analysis of field studies conducted across multiple orchards on insect-mediated pollination in apple cultivation, using raw data from 29 studies, totalling 532 orchard replicates. We assessed the extent of pollen limitation on different pollination outcomes and assessed the contribution of honeybees, wild bees and bee species richness to apple pollination. 3. Across all studies, we detected strong evidence of pollen limitation for fruit set and seed set, but not for fruit weight. Honeybees were the most abundant flower visitors (average relative visitation of 71.9%) compared to wild bees; but when correcting for their pollination efficiency, the relative pollination contribution of honeybees was lower compared to their relative visitation (vice versa for solitary bees). 4. We conclude that honeybee visitation rate did not influence fruit or seed set; yet increasing honeybee visitation had a small, negative effect on fruit weight. Fruit set was not influenced by wild bee visitation rate, whereas wild bee visitation had a small, but clear positive effect on fruit weight and seed set. Bee species richness had a small, positive effect on seed set; whereas it did not affect fruit set and fruit weight. 5. Syntheses and applications. Our study highlights that pollen limitation is common in this global crop. While managed honeybees are dominant pollinators, a diverse community of wild bees contributes significantly to apple pollination and high-quality yield. The positive effect of wild bees and species richness on fruit weight and seed set demonstrates that wild bee pollination results in better-quality fruit production (increased weight & seed set). Therefore, our synthesis highlights the importance of conserving pollinator diversity to maintain pollination services. The absence of a clear effect of honeybee visitation rate on fruit and seed set, coupled with its negative impact on fruit weight, suggests a need for further optimisation of honeybee management to improve the cost-efficiency of pollination management.
Abstract
Recycling nutrients and organic matter available as waste in urban areas may close nutrient gaps and improve soil quality, but the concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are commonly higher than in mineral fertilisers. How quickly may the limits for soil quality be exceeded, and for which elements, if such materials are applied intensively? For a rough answer to this question, we used soil data from ten case farms near Oslo and Bergen (Norway) to estimate how PTE concentrations increased when the demand for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in a theoretical carrot crop produced every year was covered by compost or digestate from source-separated food waste, or composted garden waste, compared with manure from horses and poultry which are often kept in peri-urban areas. With the intensive fertilisation assumed here, the Norwegian soil quality limits for PTEs were reached within 20–85 years, and faster for soil with more organic matter since regulatory limits set by weight discriminate soils with low bulk density. The limits were reached frst for Cu and Zn, which are both essential micronutrients for crop plants. The concentrations of macronutrients in the urban waste-based fertilisers were not well balanced. Rates covering the K demand would lead to high surpluses of P and N. In peri-urban vegetable growing, high applications of compost are not unusual, but more balanced fertilisation is required. The Norwegian regulations for PTEs in organic soil amendments and agricultural soil are stricter than in the EU, and do not support recycling of organic matter and nutrients from urban waste. Many materials which can only be applied with restricted amounts to Norwegian agricultural soil, may be applied according to crop demand in the EU. Growers utilising urban waste-based fertilisers intensively should monitor the soil regularly, including PTE analyses. Soil sampling should occur on fxed sampling points to reveal changes in concentrations over time. Norwegian authorities should consider a revision of the organic fertiliser regulation to support recycling of valuable organic materials. There is a need for more data on the PTE concentrations in agricultural soil and organic fertiliser materials
Abstract
Conservation practices like minimal disturbance, soil cover and crop diversification can enhance soil health, but evidence from Norway is limited due to challenging climatic conditions. This study examines long-term conservation (no-till, diverse crop rotation and cover crops) vs. conventional farming (annual ploughing and harrowing and cereal-based rotation) on loam soils in Southeast Norway, among the first at this latitude. Physical, chemical and biological soil indicators were measured on two neighbouring farms and compared to each other, to target values from sampling 29 fields within the same pedo-climatic zone and to literature benchmarks. Soil sampling followed a systematic approach, analysing aggregate stability, bulk density, cohesion, soil roughness, saturated hydraulic conductivity, total organic carbon, total nitrogen, carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, permanganate-oxidisable carbon (POXC), pH, earthworm count and plant coverage. Conservation farming significantly improved aggregate stability, earthworm count and POXC. Soil functions were visualised using radar charts based on soil indicators as proxies. Overall, conservation practices led to more sustained delivery of soil functions compared to the conventional field. These findings contribute to growing evidence that conservation agriculture can enhance soil health and ecosystem services, even in cold climates, though further field comparisons are needed.
Abstract
Presentasjon av kartbasert klimagasskalkulator.
Authors
Benedicte Riber Albrectsen Kristiina Mäkinen Lovely Mahawar Arti Mishra Isaac Kwesi Abuley Isalyne Veillon Apsara Indhu Gopan Radha Sivarajan Sajeevan Svante Resjö Erik Andreasson Erland Liljeroth Peter Marhavý Simeon Rossmann Jens Grønbech HansenAbstract
Based on discussions within the Northern Tubers of Potato network (N’TOP-net), this review highlights northern Scandinavia’s potential for sustainable, low pest seed potato production. While long transport distances currently limit large-scale supply for consumption or processing, low pest pressure and stricter EU plant protection regulations increase its value for seed production. Climate change is expected to extend the growing season, driving renewed interest in Northern Scandinavia’s role in European food security. Finland exemplifies this potential, and parts of northern and central Sweden—historically suppliers of disease-free seed potatoes, even exported to Brazil—offer expansion opportunities. Nordic potato production, key biotic stressors, and opportunities for regional cooperation are examined, with a focus on novel farming practices, breeding innovations, and disease surveillance to improve resilience and sustainability. Despite shared values in cultivar selection, certification, and potato preferences, Nordic production strategies remain uncoordinated for long-term sustainability. We advocate for transnational, interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance Europe’s food security through joint efforts in three key areas: (1) soil-conserving farming, (2) breeding for adaptation to longer day length and resistance traits, and (3) transnational pest and disease surveillance. A Nordic potato initiative can strengthen European cooperation on sustainable production amid climate change. However, as policies must balance the benefits of longer growing seasons with emerging risks such as pests, droughts, and flooding, coordinated research, regulatory adaptation, and climate resilience investments are essential for safeguarding seed potato quality, food security, and supply chain stability.
Abstract
This paper addresses water governance in the context of dissolved organic matter emissions into water bodies and cultural eutrophication. Through a comparative interdisciplinary analysis of cases from Norway, the Czech Republic, and China, it seeks to identify core principals of effective water governance and suggest strategies for achieving good ecological and chemical status of raw water. The analysis presents each case by exploring natural and societal processes, emphasising the interdependence between society and nature, and applying a theoretical framework. In this way, the paper contributes to the broader field of water governance studies. The central conclusion is that raw water quality results from “muddling through” processes involving stakeholders with diverse and sometimes conflicting interests. Building the capabilities to manage such contingencies is essential for successful governance. Four critical dimensions are identified as key to this capability: (i) robust environmental knowledge and literacy; (ii) stronger representation of non-human interest; (iii) regulatory measures and economic incentives to enhance raw water quality; and (iv) integrated multi-level governance combining top-down and bottom-up approaches. Strengthening these dimensions can also help mitigate the structural economic pressure driving the exploitation of “cheap nature”.
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Thiago InagakiAbstract
This presentation examines how organo-mineral associations (OMAs) are affected by climate differences, and how they contribute to carbon persistence and enhance soil quality across different regions. The talk will combine results obtained from micro- to field-scale studies in natural and agricultural environments, showing relationship between OMAs, microorganisms, and soil structure.
Authors
Lone PolletAbstract
Although community supported agriculture (CSA) is generally considered a potent alternative to the globalized food system, the capacity of CSA farms to foster community support in agriculture has been questioned due to low engagement of members at the farm and high member turnover rates. In this study, I consider the case of member-driven CSA farms and explore the potential of this CSA model to increase member engagement in CSA farming. Using an inductive, phenomenon-first approach to research, I compare the cases of four Norwegian member-driven CSA farms to describe how they engage members at the farm and explore the factors influencing member engagement. The on-farm participant observation, focus group interviews with farm coordinators and members survey revealed that Norwegian member-driven CSAs significantly engage members in all aspects of the farm operations. Yet, the differences observed between cases showed that member engagement depend on the capacity of the farm to create the right conditions for collaboration. Although the member-driven model has the potential to increase member engagement in CSA farming, the preferences of members, the opinions and engagement of coordinators, the size of the farm, the number of years of operation and the external support received by the farm, are five factors that affect the capacity of the CSA farm to collaborate with members. Ultimately, this study concludes that achieving community engagement in member-driven CSAs depends less on their organizational model and more on the specific conditions that facilitate collaboration and member engagement.