Hopp til hovedinnholdet

Publikasjoner

NIBIOs ansatte publiserer flere hundre vitenskapelige artikler og forskningsrapporter hvert år. Her finner du referanser og lenker til publikasjoner og andre forsknings- og formidlingsaktiviteter. Samlingen oppdateres løpende med både nytt og historisk materiale. For mer informasjon om NIBIOs publikasjoner, besøk NIBIOs bibliotek.

2018

Til dokument

Sammendrag

The present work focuses on an assessment of the applicability of groundwater table (GWT) measures in the modelling of soil water retention characteristics (SWRC) using artificial neural network (ANN) methods. Model development, testing, validation and verification were performed using data collected across two decades from soil profiles at full-scale research objects located in Southwest Poland. A positive effect was observed between the initial GWT position data and the accuracy of soil water reserve estimation. On the other hand, no significant effects were observed following the implementation of GWT fluctuation data over the entire growing season. The ANN tests that used data of either soil water content or GWT position gave analogous results. This revealed that the easily obtained data (temperature, precipitation and GWT position) are the most accurate modelling parameters. These outcomes can be used to simplify modelling input data/parameters/variables in the practical implementation of the proposed SWRC modelling variants.

Til dokument

Sammendrag

In spite of its important role as predator of small game species, estimating the density of red fox Vulpes vulpes has been hampered by the species’ highly variable ranging pattern and elusive behavior. DNA analysis from scats combined with spatially explicit capture–recapture (SECR) modeling might remedy this. In a 50-km2 coniferous forest in southeast Norway, we collected scats on logging roads in late winter. DNA was extracted, amplified, and genotyped using 11 microsatellite markers. Of 184 samples collected, 126 were genotyped successfully, of which 46 (36.5%) produced individual genetic profiles. Twenty-five of these were different individuals: 13 females and 12 males. Nine of them were identified in multiple scats; mean recapture rate among all was 1.8/animal. Applying a conventional capture–recapture model (CAPWIRE) to the genotyped samples, 36 (95% CI 26–52) different individuals were estimated to have been present in the area during the sampling period. For estimating population density, we constructed three differently sized occupancy areas based on distances between recaptures, viz. ½ and 1/1 mean maximum distance moved (MMDM) and the local convex hull home range method (LoCoH). Areas varied from 60 km2 (½MMDM) to 112 km2 (MMDM), producing density estimates of 0.60 and 0.32 foxes/km2, respectively; the 95% LoCoH range method produced an estimate of 0.44 animals/km2 . Based on SECR modeling, the density was estimated at 0.38 (95% CI 0.21–0.70) animals/km2 . Smaller confidence intervals are expected with more appropriate sampling design than used in this pilot study.

Sammendrag

This doctoral thesis incorporates an integrated framework for the measurement and analysis of the performance of Norwegian farms, focusing on crop-producing and dairy farms. Farm-level datasets were used in the analysis. The thesis comprises an introductory chapter and five independent research articles. The aim of the first article is to explore the effects of model specifications and estimate short-run and long-run inefficiency. We used the transcendental logarithmic (translog) cost function and the analysis is based on unbalanced farm-level panel data for the period 1991–2013 from 455 Norwegian farms that specialise in crop production in the Eastern and Central regions of Norway. It was found that cost efficiency scores are sensitive to how the inefficiency is modelled and interpreted. Empirical analysis demonstrates that the magnitude of long-run inefficiency (5%) is lower than the level of short-run inefficiency (6%). It would be possible to reduce crop production costs by, on average, up to 5% if shortfalls in managerial capabilities were reduced. Such shortfalls in farmers’ management abilities derive from such factors as lack of farming experience and lack of farm ownership. On the other hand, it would be possible to reduce crop production costs by up to 6% if transient inefficiencies could be eliminated. On average, actual costs could be reduced by 11% without reducing output if both forms of inefficiency were eliminated from Norwegian crop production. Policy interventions to this end might include providing training in farm-management practices, and policy changes to ease rigidity in farm ownership. The objective of the second article is to measure the economic performance of two crop-producing Norwegian farms while accounting for both unobserved heterogeneity and environmental variables. The analysis employs a translog cost function and is based on unbalanced farm-level panel data comprising 3,855 observations (1,004 observations from the central region and 2,884 from the eastern region). We found that the mean minimum costs for the period 1991–2013 were approximately 93% and 92% of the actual production costs for crop farms in the central and eastern regions, respectively. The marginal effects of crop rotation, land tenure, off-farm activity, direct government support, and experience positively correlated with the economic performance of crop farms. In both regions, the marginal contribution of these variables to economic performance increased for the period 2000–2013 compared to 1991–1999. The aim of Article 3 is to measure the contribution of productivity and price change to changes in the profitability of crop-producing family farms in Norway. The results indicate that the average annual productivity growth rate for grain and forage production decreased by 0.11% per annum over the period 1991–2013. Profits decreased by 0.14% per annum primarily due to the effect of the trend of increasing input prices and a decline in total factor productivity. Interventions to improve the productivity of farms would also improve farm profitability.

Til dokument

Sammendrag

River restoration is widely applied, although its effects are poorly understood, and degraded habitats might be difficult to improve. Moreover, there is a lack of monitoring as well as few systematic comparisons of restoration methods. This study presents results of a 4‐year monitoring on River Inn (southern Germany) investigating restoration by gravel or sand addition or embankment removal. The results were compared with reference sites that represent the pre‐restoration conditions. At the landscape scale, we analysed vegetation types based on aerial photographs, whereas at a smaller scale, we undertook vegetation surveys and evaluated species composition, growth, and life form, as well as the proportion of the target vegetation. After 4 years, the data indicated a “negative resilience” of the vegetation back to the state prior to restoration. The structural analysis revealed an extensive spread of reed at expense of bare soil. Thus, the species composition largely regressed to the pre‐restoration conditions, and neither annuals nor other pioneer species showed a long‐term benefit of river restoration. There were differences among the three restoration treatments after 2 years, but no longer after 4 years. However, the river restoration had three positive outcomes: (a) There was a temporary benefit for pioneer vegetation that most likely replenished the seed bank of the respective species, (b) the valuable reed communities showed resilience, and (c) the measures allowed some practical learning as expected for adaptive restoration.