NINA Brage (Norsk institutt for naturforskning)
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Words apart: Standardizing forestry terms and definitions across European biodiversity studies
Get PDFForest biodiversity studies conducted across Europe use a multitude of forestry terms, often inconsistently. This hinders the comparability across studies and makes the assessment of the impacts of forest management on biodiversity highly context-dependent. Recent attempts to standardize forestry and stand description terminology mostly used a top-down approach that did not account for the perspectives and approaches of forest biodiversity experts. This work aims to establish common standards for silvicultural and vegetation definitions, creating a shared conceptual framework for a consistent study on the effects of forest management on biodiversity. We have identified both strengths and weaknesses of the silvicultural and vegetation information provided in forest biodiversity studies. While quantitative data on forest biomass and dominant tree species are frequently included, information on silvicultural activities and vegetation composition is often lacking, shallow, or based on broad and heterogeneous classifications. We discuss the existing classifications and their use in European forest biodiversity studies through a novel bottom-up and top-driven review process, and ultimately propose a common framework. This will enhance the comparability of forest biodiversity studies in Europe, and puts the basis for effective implementation and monitoring of sustainable forest management policies. The standards here proposed are potentially adaptable and applicable to other geographical areas and could be extended to other forest interventions. Forest management Multi-taxon Terminology Silviculture Data harmonizationpublishedVersio
Thiamin dynamics during the adult life cycle of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Get PDFThiamin is an essential water-soluble B vitamin known for its wide range of metabolic functions and antioxidant properties. Over the past decades, reproductive failures induced by thiamin deficiency have been observed in several salmonid species worldwide, but it is unclear why this micronutrient deficiency arises. Few studies have compared thiamin concentrations in systems of salmonid populations with or without documented thiamin deficiency. Moreover, it is not well known whether and how thiamin concentration changes during the marine feeding phase and the spawning migration. Therefore, samples of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were collected when actively feeding in the open Baltic Sea, after the sea migration to natal rivers, after river migration, and during the spawning period. To compare populations of Baltic salmon with systems without documented thiamin deficiency, a population of landlocked salmon located in Lake Vänern (Sweden) was sampled as well as salmon from Norwegian rivers draining into the North Atlantic Ocean. Results showed the highest mean thiamin concentrations in Lake Vänern salmon, followed by North Atlantic, and the lowest in Baltic populations. Therefore, salmon in the Baltic Sea seem to be consistently more constrained by thiamin than those in other systems. Condition factor and body length had little to no effect on thiamin concentrations in all systems, suggesting that there is no relation between the body condition of salmon and thiamin deficiency. In our large spatiotemporal comparison of salmon populations, thiamin concentrations declined toward spawning in all studied systems, suggesting that the reduction in thiamin concentration arises as a natural consequence of starvation rather than to be related to thiamin deficiency in the system. These results suggest that factors affecting accumulation during the marine feeding phase are key for understanding the thiamin deficiency in salmonids. Atlantic salmon, Baltic Sea, M74 syndrome, Salmon life cycle, Thiamin, Thiamin deficiencypublishedVersio
Existing evidence on the use of participatory scenarios in ecological restoration: a systematic map
Get PDFBackground and context The scale of land degradation worldwide has led to nearly one billion hectares committed to restoration globally. However, achieving such restoration targets will necessitate complex trade-offs against limited time, competing knowledge, costs, resources and varying stakeholder and societal preferences. Participatory scenarios allow a way to identify collaborative solutions for restoration planning and implementation best suited for the local cultures and societies they are tied to. They can be used to navigate uncertainties surrounding future trajectories of restored areas by evaluating trade-offs in outcomes. This research aims to systematically map the evidence on the use of participatory scenarios in restoration planning. We use the following research question: What evidence exists on the use of participatory scenarios in ecological restoration? This is answered by examining the characteristics of the evidence base, types of study design, types of outcomes, trade-offs in outcomes, and the role of participants. Methods A comprehensive and reproducible search strategy was followed using bibliographic databases, webbased searches, and targeted searching. Search results underwent a two-step screening process according to eligibility criteria. Metadata on key areas of interest were extracted from included texts and were narratively synthesised alongside data visualisations to answer the research questions. Review findings 18,612 records were initially identified, and 106 articles were included in the final map. Most studies were conducted in Europe and North America, focusing on restoring agricultural land or forests. Most texts used mixed methods and explored multiple outcome types, but environmental outcomes were the most assessed. Within environmental outcomes, indicators for ecological function were assessed more frequently than structural or compositional indicators. The most common reason for choosing outcomes and indicators was stakeholder interest. Tradeoffs in social, ecological, and economic outcomes were mainly examined across space using mapping techniques, while far fewer studies looked at trade-offs across stakeholders and time. Participants were mostly included in the scenario creation step and were usually chosen purposefully by the research team. Conclusions It is difficult to understand how useful scenarios are for restoration planning because few texts reported how scenarios fed into the process. Despite this, the range of outcomes used and different method types adopted suggests participatory scenarios allow for integrating different knowledge and approaches, alongside facilitating the use of qualitative or semi-quantitative data when this is more appropriate or quantitative data is not widely available. To better use participatory scenarios as a tool for ecological restoration planning, decision-makers can push for greater levels and definitions of participation from the offset of restoration projects with specified, regular, and structured communication and participation channels. We also recommend more systematic methods of participant selection, such as stakeholder analysis. Further research is needed to understand the effectiveness of participatory scenarios in restoration planning and whether the participation of stakeholders was successful in meeting objectives. To improve the evidence base, future studies should clearly evaluate their effectiveness in the restoration planning process and their success in meeting their participatory objectives. Evidence synthesis, Stakeholder engagement, Collaboration, Alternative futures, Socioecological systems, Co-productionpublishedVersio
Shifts in risk sensitivity and resource availability alter fat stores for a large mammal following extreme winter conditions
Get PDFFor species that inhabit environments where resource availability may be unpredictable, balance of resource allocation to life-history traits can have heightened consequences for survival, reproduction, and ultimately, fitness. Acquisition and allocation of energy to maintenance, capital gain and reproduction should be in tune with the landscape an animal inhabits—environmental severity, food availability and population size all influence the resources animals have and dictate the ways they should be allocated. In seasonal environments, animals that experience periods of extreme resource limitation (e.g. harsh winters) may favour allocation of resources to body reserves to secure their survival at the cost of reproduction (i.e. risk averse). In contrast, the same accumulation of body reserves may not be necessary to survive in relatively benign landscapes where instead, allocation to reproduction is favoured (i.e. risk prone). According to the theory of risk-sensitive allocation of resources, when animals are exposed to unprecedented or life-threatening conditions, they may shift resource allocation to favour building capital over allocation in reproduction to preempt against encountering another life-threatening event in the future. Using data from a long-term project on a highly site-faithful and long-lived species, mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), we evaluated how a life-threatening winter and the associated changes in resource availability resulting from a population reduction influenced how animals acquired and allocated energy to survival (i.e. fat accumulation). Per capita precipitation, and the associated reduction in population abundance after the severe winter, had a positive influence of accrual of fat over summer. After the extreme physiological stress of a hard winter, deer starting spring with low body reserves accumulated 2.8 percentage points more fat over summer compared with before the experience of a bad winter and had an increased probability of recruiting fewer offspring. Fat stores can interact with environment, life history and behaviour to influence survival during periods of resource scarcity. For a long-lived herbivore, we documented shifts in risk tolerance associated with fat accrual in preparation for winter, supporting the notion that risk-sensitive allocation of resources may be plastic—an essential adaptation for animals to cope with rapidly changing landscapes.publishedVersio
Kartlegging av naturtyper som bidrar med blomsterressurser og larvesubstrater til pollinerende insekter i Norge
Get PDFSydenham, M.A.K., Myklebost, H., Jokerud, M., Singsaas, F.T., Töpper, J.P. & Hanssen, O. 2023. Kartlegging av naturtyper som bidrar med blomsterressurser og larvesubstrater til pollinerende insekter i Norge. NINA Rapport 2383. Norsk institutt for naturforskning
Som del av oppfølgingen av Norges nasjonale strategi for å stanse tapet av pollinerende insekter er det nødvendig å få oversikt over utbredelsen, og tilstanden, til viktige leveområder for pollinerende insekter. På oppdrag fra Miljødirektoratet har vi her benyttet informasjon som er tilgjengelig i eksisterende databaser og i litteraturen til å foreslå en rommelig avgrensing av begrepet ‘pollinerende insekter’, og brukt en nettverkstilgang for å identifisere naturtyper som bidrar med blomsterressurser eller larvesubstrat til våre viktigste pollinatorer, og til slutt å identifisere NiN2.0-typer som med fordel kan inkluderes i fremtidig kartlegging av naturtyper i Norge.
Den foreslåtte avgrensning av ville pollinerende insekter inkluderer 24% av alle insektarter i Norge. Artene i dette utvalg tilhører slekter der det er kjent minst et eksempel på at en art kan finnes på blomster, og derved har potensiale for å kunne bidra til kryss- eller selvpollinering. Det største mangfold av pollinerende insekter er tilknyttet planter der blomstene er åpne, med lett tilgjengelige ressurser, slik som skjermplanter og soleier. Men også leppeblomster og erteblomster blir besøkt av et stort mangfold av pollinatorer. Disse plantene er i stor grad tilknyttet semi-naturlige naturtyper (D-typer) men også skogtyper (C-typer) i Miljødirektoratets kartleggingsinstruks har mange av disse artene.
Både skog og semi-naturlige naturtyper bidrar også med larvesubstrater til bier, sommerfugler, og blomsterfluer. For sistnevnte er dog også mange vannmiljøer viktige, da larvene av arter innen f.eks. slekten Eristalis lever av dødt organisk materiale i vann. Mens mange av de viktigste NiN2.0-typene allerede er fanget opp av Miljødirektoratets kartleggingsinstruks, har vi identifisert flere som med fordel kunne være inkludert Dette gjelder typisk NiN2.0.-typer som er tilknyttet enten næringsrike vannmiljøer, relativt intensivt drevne områder med eng-preg, eller kulturlandskapsminner i form av steingjerder og gamle hustufter som kan bidra med larvesubstrater for villbier.
Nettverkstilgangen vi har brukt for å identifisere koblinger mellom pollinatorer og naturtyper som bidrar med blomster og/eller larvesubstrater gjør det mulig å koble informasjon på tvers av databaser og effektivt identifisere naturtyper som er viktige for pollinatorer. Enhver metode vil ha potensiale for forbedringer for å øke treffsikkerheten. Vi diskuterer noen av disse, for eksempel hvordan avgrensningen av pollinerende insekter vil kunne utformes til å sette søkelys på de mest effektive pollinatorer. Videre foreslår vi hvordan det kommende NiN3.0 systemet vil kunne tilføye ytterligere informasjon ved prioritering av NiN-typer som bør inkluderes i Miljødirektoratets kartleggingsinstruks
Overvåking av effekter av tiltak for seks trua arter og en naturtype i 2023
Get PDFRoos, R.E., Evju, M., Endrestøl, A., Hanssen, O., Nowell, M. 2023. Overvåking av effekter av tiltak for seks trua arter og en naturtype i 2023. NINA Rapport 2377. Norsk institutt for naturforskning.
Norge har forpliktet seg til å jobbe for å stanse tapet av biologisk mangfold og har satt som mål at utviklingen for trua og nær trua arter og naturtyper skal bedres. For å nå disse ambisiøse målene trenger forvaltningen kunnskap om effekter av tiltak for trua arter og naturtyper. Formålet med denne rapporten er å videreføre pågående overvåking for seks arter og en naturtype: åpen grunnlendt kalkmark i boreonemoral sone, dragehode, honningblom, elvesandjeger, stor elvebreddedderkopp, klippeblåvinge og prikkrutevinge.
Åpen grunnlendt kalkmark: overvåking ble videreført på fire lokaliteter hvor restaurering ble igangsatt i 2022. Det ble etablert ny overvåking på to nye lokaliteter som ble restaurert i 2023. Resultatene hittil viser i hovedsak at restaureringstiltak er gjennomført og bedrer tilstand, f.eks. ble det registrert en reduksjon av busksjikt og fremmede arter på flere av lokalitetene. Et langsiktig perspektiv er nødvendig for å fange opp om tiltakene har ønsket effekt på naturmangfoldet. Det anbefales tett dialog mellom ulike aktører, dokumentasjon av oppfølgende tiltak og videreføring av overvåkingen i 2024.
Dragehode: overvåking ble igangsatt på én lokalitet for å etablere et startpunkt for å undersøke effekter av tiltaket slått sent på sommeren. Formålet med tiltaket er å fjerne biomasse, øke habitatkvalitet, overlevelse og rekruttering av dragehode og øke populasjonsstørrelsen lokalt. Overvåkingen vil fange opp hvordan slått påvirker dragehodes populasjonsstørrelse og -struktur, og vegetasjonens sammensetning og struktur. Det anbefales oppfølging med datainnsamling på vegetasjonssammensetning og forekomst av dragehode i 2024.
Honningblom: overvåkingen på artenes fire lokaliteter i Hvaler kommune ble videreført. Populasjonsutviklingen i 2023 varierte mellom lokalitetene, der populasjonen på Skjellvik, der jordsmonnet er dypt og fuktig, hadde et godt år, mens de andre viste nedgang. Nye tiltak kan være aktuelle for å bedre habitatkvalitet og øke arealet for honningblom, særlig på populasjonene med nedgang. For 2024 anbefaler vi videreføring av overvåkingen, at det prioriteres midler til å utvikle protokoll og system for oppformering av honningblom ex situ, samt utvidet kartlegging av de fire overvåkingslokalitetene som grunnlag for å identifisere fremtidige utsettingslokaliteter.
Elvesandjeger og stor elvebreddedderkopp: overvåkingen ble videreført på fire lokaliteter langs Gaulaelva, Trøndelag. Gjentatte flommer sommeren 2023 forårsaket en kraftig reduksjon i de fleste elvesandjegerbestandene, mens stor elvebreddedderkopp virket mer robust mot flommenes effekter. For begge artene virker forekomstarealene med høyest tetthet å fungere som kildepopulasjoner for rekolonisering av nye områder etter storskala forstyrrelser. Luking av (fremmede) gjengroingsarter er et nødvendig tiltak for å opprettholde egnet habitat på sikt, selv om ryddingsarbeidet kan gi kortvarige negative effekter på populasjonene. Vi anbefaler videreføring av overvåkingen av begge arter i 2024. Innsamling av flere økologiske variabler vil forbedre vår evne til å forstå populasjonstrender for artene.
Klippeblåvinge: basisovervåkingen viste at 2023 var et av de beste for arten siden oppstarten i 2010. Skjøtselen som ble igangsatt på Hovsbruddet i 2022, ble videreført i 2023. De fleste pluggplantene av smørbukk som ble plantet i 2022, ble funnet igjen, og noen av plantene ble brukt av sommerfuglen. Imidlertid påvirket tørken i mai og juni plantene sterkt, og det er usikkert om de uttørkede vertsplantene var i stand til å opprettholde full utvikling av larvene. Vi anbefaler at planlegging av fremtidige skjøtsels- og bevaringstiltak koordineres med overvåking av artens utvikling slik at man kan få data på hvordan tiltakene påvirker populasjonene.Miljødirektoratet: M-2655|202
Steep declines in radioactive caesium after 30 years of monitoring alpine plants in mountain areas of central Norway
Get PDFThe Chernobyl accident exposed large areas of northern Europe to radiocaesium (137Cs). We investigated temporal and spatial variation in concentrations of radiocaesium among five functional groups of alpine plants at two mountain areas in central Norway over a 31-year period from 1991 to 2022. Average concentrations of radiocaesium were initially high in lichens and bryophytes at around 4600–6400 Bq/kg dry weight during 1991–1994 but then decreased dramatically over three decades to current concentrations of <200 Bq/kg for all plant groups in 2019–2022. The effective half-life of radiocaesium was estimated to be 4–6 years in lichens and mosses, 7–13 years in herbaceous plants, and 22–30 years in woody plants, which were less than the physical half-life of 30.2 years. Concentrations of radiocaesium were greater at the nutrient-poor site than at the nutrientrich site, probably due to greater deposition levels at higher elevations and the geographical pattern of the deposition. Functional groups of plants differed with higher concentrations among non-vascular than vascular plants. Common heather Calluna vulgaris was unusual among woody plants with high concentration of radiocaesium, especially in the new shoots. Our new estimates of concentrations and dynamics of radiocaesium for alpine plants in natural environments will be useful for modelling herbivore exposure and evaluating potential impacts on wildlife and human health. Chernobyl Plant uptake Lichens Mosses Radiocaesium Time series Vascular plantspublishedVersio
Introgression of non-native mitochondrial haplotypes from farmed to wild Atlantic salmon
No full textFarmed salmon escape and interbreed with wild Atlantic salmon on a large scale. We studied introgression of mitochondrial haplotypes from farmed Atlantic salmon originating from the Eastern Atlantic phylogenetic group to wild salmon of the Barents-White Sea (BWS) phylogenetic group. We find that farmed genetic introgression introduced novel, non-native haplotypes into the BWS phylogenetic group. The mitochondrial genome has important functional effects and is inherited as a haploid from the mother. Hence, the observed introgression across natural genetic barriers is expected to cause long-lasting functional maladaptation of the hybrids in the maternal line. As the use of farmed Atlantic salmon from non-native phylogenetic groups is widespread in aquaculture, the impact on wild Atlantic salmon may be more severe than previously recognized. Our results highlight the ecological risks of releasing non-native wild and domesticated animals. Atlantic salmon, aquaculture, genetic introgression, Salmo salar, phylogeny, haplotypespublishedVersio
The recovery of crustacean zooplankton from acidification depends on lake type
Get PDFAcidification has harmed freshwater ecosystems in Northern Europe since the early 1900s. Stricter regulations aimed at decreasing acidic emissions have improved surface-water chemistry since the late 1980s but the recovery of biotic communities has not been consistent. Generally, the recovery of flora and fauna has been documented only for a few lakes or regions and large-scale assessments of long-term dynamics of biotic communities due to improved water quality are still lacking. This study investigates a large biomonitoring dataset of pelagic and littoral crustacean zooplankton (Cladocera and Copepoda) from 142 acid-sensitive lakes in Norway spanning 24years (1997–2020). The aims were to assess the changes in zooplankton communities through time, compare patterns of changes across lake types (defined based on calcium and humic content), and identify correlations between abiotic and biological variables. Our results indicate chemical and biological recovery after acidification, as shown by a general increase in pH, acid neutralizing capacity, changes in community composition and increases in the total number of species, number of acid-sensitive species and functional richness through time. However, the zooplankton responses differ across lake types. This indicates that the concentration of calcium (or alkalinity) and total organic carbon (or humic substances) are important factors for the recovery. Therefore, assessment methods and management tools should be adapted to the diverse lake types. Long-term monitoring of freshwater ecosystems is needed to fully comprehend the recovery dynamics of biotic communities from acidification. acid-sensitive species, browning, cladocerans, climate change, community composition, copepods, functional richness, microcrustaceans, Northern Europe, pHpublishedVersio
Global responses to the COVID-19 pandemic by recreational anglers: considerations for developing more resilient and sustainable fisheries
Get PDFThe global COVID-19 pandemic resulted in many jurisdictions implementing orders restricting the movements of people to inhibit virus transmission, with recreational angling often either not permitted or access to fsheries and/or related infrastructure being prevented. Following the lifting of restrictions, initial angler surveys and licence sales suggested increased participation and efort, and altered angler demographics, but with evidence remaining limited. Here, we overcome this evidence gap by identifying temporal changes in angling interest, licence sales, and angling efort in world regions by comparing data in the ‘pre-pandemic’ (up to and including 2019); ‘acute pandemic’ (2020) and ‘COVID-acclimated’ (2021) periods. We then identifed how changes can inform the development of more resilient and sustainable recreational fsheries. Interest in angling (measured here as angling-related internet search term volumes) increased substantially in all regions during 2020. Patterns in licence sales revealed marked increases in some countries during 2020 but not in others. Where licence sales increased, this was rarely sustained in 2021; where there were declines, these related to fewer tourist anglers due to movement restrictions. Data from most countries indicated a younger demographic of people who participated in angling in 2020, including in urban areas, but this was not sustained in 2021. These short-lived changes in recreational angling indicate eforts to retain younger anglers could increase overall participation levels, where eforts can target education in appropriate angling practices and create more urban angling opportunities. These eforts would then provide recreational fsheries with greater resilience to cope with future global crises, including facilitating the ability of people to access angling opportunities during periods of high societal stress. Angling efort · Angling licence · Angler demographics · Culturomics · COVID-19 lockdownpublishedVersio