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.
2026
Authors
Jan-Peter George Colin Kelleher Aurore Desgroux Eléonore Scholzen Luis Muheim Irena Fundova Gregor Božič Michele Bozzano Anna-Maria FarsakoglouAbstract
This report on dynamic and static ex situ conservation of forest genetic resources is a product of the EUFORGEN Programme. The report serves as a reference document that provides the framework for implementing and monitoring ex situ conservation approaches across Europe, complementing existing in situ conservation efforts. It has been developed through the collective expertise of the EUFORGEN network, establishing minimum requirements and data standards for ex situ conservation, proposing indicators for monitoring, and introducing terminology for genetic conservation units at risk. The actions and strategies addressed in this report are dependent on the commitment of all involved actors, including policymakers, forest managers, researchers, and technical staff responsible for gene banks and genetic conservation units, who will guide the application of dynamic and static ex situ conservation, whenever needed, and provide the financial, human and institutional resources required to effectively conserve forest genetic resources across Europe.
Abstract
Marine aquaculture sludge is a significant side stream from the aquaculture industry and represents a promising substrate for biogas production. In this study, the performance of two lab-scale continuous biogas reactors was investigated when feeding increased amounts of marine aquaculture sludge (MAS) in mix with cow manure (CM) over a period of 340 days. The MAS volume was gradually increased from 20% to 100%, increasing the biogas yield from approx. 200 to 400 mL/g COD/d. The content of NaCl in the feedstock was 25 g/L when feeding 100% MAS. Microbial community analysis (16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing) revealed that most archaeal OTUs detected at high MAS loading were associated with acetoclastic Methanothrix and Methanosarcina genera. Increasing the MAS load was associated with reduced microbial diversity, yet no distinct MAS-specific species emerged as key drivers in the recovered microbial community. Our results highlight the great potential of MAS as a substrate for biogas production and the possibility to establish biogas systems with salinity conditions corresponding to sea water.
Authors
Alexander Jueterbock Anne Margrete Leiros Nilsen Niko Steiner Clément Gauci Leo Minini Ralf Rautenberger Christian Guido Bruckner Nikolai Buer Inka BartschAbstract
Mariculture has emerged as a sustainable solution to address growing global demands for food and high-value products, with kelp cultivation playing a central role due to its diverse applications and ecological benefits. While advances in kelp farming have focused on optimizing either hatchery or grow-out phases, the long-term effects of early gametophyte treatments on sporophyte performance remain underexplored. Although the transition from gametophyte culture to harvestable sporophytes is routine in commercial kelp farming, no published, integrated framework exists that is purpose-built for researchers and R&D practitioners who need to document the effect of specific early-stage treatments applied under replicated, controlled conditions on measurable differences in sporophyte performance. Here, we present a detailed methodology for conducting experimental mariculture trials that bridge controlled laboratory experiments and field-scale applications. Our approach integrates controlled gametophyte treatments, seeding, hatchery cultivation, and field deployment, providing a replicable experimental framework for studying the influence of early-stage conditions on the growth, resilience, and productivity of mature sporophytes. This adaptable methodology enables researchers to address, in collaboration with kelp farmers, the impact of experimental conditions during gametophyte cultivation on the growth and performance of the kelp sporophytes in a factorial replicated design.
Abstract
This study (1) determined the differences between the dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) behavior of wood subjected to light (H2O) and heavy water (D2O) vapors at matching equivalent relative humidities (RHs) and (2) developed an in-situ method for studying the transmission-mode Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of wood subjected to increasing RHs. The D2O-subjected wood was pre-deuterated so that the hydrogen bonding of the native wood with H2O was compared with the deuterium bonding that occurs with D2O for the DVS and FTIR studies. Fibrous Scots pine sapwood particles were used for the DVS experiments, whereas FTIR spectroscopy involved Scots pine sapwood earlywood microscopic sections placed inside a small RH chamber. The sorption isotherms and hysteresis plots of H2O and D2O showed statistically non-significant differences between the solvent vapors. However, larger practical differences were observed at higher RHs, with the H2O sorption isotherms having higher “equilibrium” moisture contents. The Gibbs free energies of sorption and desorption at equilibrium, as determined from the DVS data, showed statistically significant differences, suggesting that deuterium bonding is more thermodynamically favorable. The sorption and desorption rates obtained from the DVS samples generally indicate that H2O vapor subjection progresses initially at faster rates per RH level, without significantly affecting the total experimental time. The accessibility of the hydroxy groups increased somewhat with D2O between the before- and after-isotherm scenarios. In the FTIR spectra, H2O addition led to higher peak intensities and broader hydroxy band widths due to increased RH. The FTIR spectra for the D2O case had a decrease in the hydroxy band area, particularly in the width parameter, while the intensity and width of the formed deuteroxy peak grew as RH increased. The FTIR spectra also provided evidence of a successful hydrogen-versus-deuterium bonding comparison for the DVS study, as the intensities and band widths reverted to their original states after drying using a water-vapor-subjection method like that used in the DVS. Finally, it is hypothesized that deuterated wood is less hygroscopic than native wood, despite the thermodynamic favorability of deuterium bonding.
Editors
Sekhar Udaya NagothuAbstract
This transdisciplinary book explores the potential benefits and challenges of implementing nature-based solutions in vineyards across a range of European countries. Most agricultural landscapes, including vineyards, have abandoned their traditional management practices, making them vulnerable to climate extremities, biologically impoverished and highly susceptible to pests and diseases. There is now a growing awareness among wine producers and consumers about the importance of managing vineyards sustainably through nature-based solutions. This volume analyses work done in vineyards across a range of European countries, including Italy, Switzerland, Spain, France and Portugal, and further examines the potential of sustainable nature-based solutions in improving ecosystem health, while prioritizing wine quality and social and economic gains. Drawing on the experiences of scientists from varied backgrounds, including natural and social scientists, vineyard managers, wine producers and environmental agencies working in vineyard landscapes, chapters present evidence-based research results demonstrating the environmental, social and economic effectiveness of nature-based solutions implemented through a range of bio-based approaches, including organic, biodynamic and regenerative farming approaches. This volume delves into the transformative potential of nature-based solutions, presenting novel pathways, applications, evidence-based cases and experiential assessments of nature-based solutions in different agroecological settings. This book will be of great interest to students, scholars and professionals working on nature-based solutions, agriculture, viticulture and environmental management more broadly.
Abstract
Sustainable agricultural practices are needed to ensure food production and minimize environmental impacts. In high-latitude regions, where the potential for agricultural production is increasing due to rising temperatures and prolonged growing seasons, undersowing cover crops and the application of biochar are promising methods. However, current understanding of the simultaneous uptake of multiple essential nutrients into the cover crop biomass, and the effects of cover crops and biochar on the main crop’s physiology, remains limited. This study was conducted in a field experiment in Mid-Norway, five years after its establishment. We compared six treatments: unfertilized oats (Control); NPK-fertilized oats with and without biochar (Biochar and Monocrop); and three NPK-fertilized cover crop systems where oats were undersown with ryegrass (hereafter referred to as “Ryegrass”); ryegrass, red clover, and white clover (hereafter referred to as “Clover”); and ryegrass, red clover, bird’s-foot trefoil, and chicory (hereafter referred to as “Chicory”). At different stages during the growing season, shoot and root samples of oats and cover crops were analyzed for biomass and essential nutrients, oat gas exchange was measured, and soil plant-available nitrogen and the soil’s C/N ratio were determined. Cover crop mixtures showed 2.4 to 13.7-fold higher uptake of N, Ca, Mg, B, and Cu in their shoots and 2.9 to 4.6-fold higher uptake of N and B in their roots compared to the Ryegrass system. The cover crop roots accounted for approximately 20-45% of the total nutrient uptake for most nutrients. During tillering, the cover crops increased the concentration of plant-available nitrogen in the soil, thereby compensating for the competition from cover crops in the system. Undersowing cover crops had no significant effect on oat plant biomass, gas exchange, yield, or nutrient concentrations in oat tissue. Only oats in the Ryegrass system showed a lower root biomass and dark respiration during tillering and decreased nutrient uptake in the oat biomass during tillering and grain filling, without affecting yield. Biochar application significantly reduced the concentrations of N, K, Ca, Mg, S, Na, and Cu in oat shoots (13-61%) and N in oat roots (15%) during tillering. Although these deficiencies were compensated for by grain filling and no effect of biochar on the grain yield was observed, the grain protein content remained reduced. The results highlight the importance of cover crop mixtures and nutrient storage in cover crop roots for nutrient legacy effects in high-latitude agriculture and demonstrate the need for optimized biochar management to avoid temporary nutrient shortages and maintain yield quality.
Abstract
This chapter presents a very brief overview of the status of nature-based solutions (NbS) and geographical spread of various approaches, including regenerative, organic and biodynamic farming in vineyards in France. The authors further discussed the impacts generated by practicing selected NbS on the vineyard ecosystem systems, the main challenges in producing organic, biodynamic or regenerative wines in France, and the technology and policy implications in the context of vineyards in France. Three case studies practicing NbS have been presented in the second part of this chapter to illustrate the contribution to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services. Despite the constraints, there is much to learn from the experiences and knowledge developed in the vineyards in France practicing NbS.
Abstract
Intensive farming systems are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, especially methane and nitrous oxide, thereby contributing to the acceleration of climate change, which in turn contributes to frequent extreme weather events (droughts, floods, heat stress). However, reducing methane emissions in the agricultural sector is much tougher, especially in open landscapes. Considering this, new systemic solutions that are sustainable and implementable at landscape level are necessary. This chapter broadly presents the concept of nature-based solutions (NbS), its brief history and how it was mainstreamed into the research and development agenda in recent years. This is followed by a discussion of major challenges of the current farming systems in general and vineyard landscapes in particular. This chapter provides a review of innovative approaches and pathways for a transition towards sustainable NbS, including biodynamic, organic and regenerative viticulture. This is followed by a transdisciplinary conceptual framework for NbS implementation, showing the importance of linkages between science, stakeholders and policy. In addition, the benefits of implementing NbS and the supporting policy frameworks were briefly discussed. Towards the end, a brief outline of the book was described in this chapter.
Authors
Sekhar Udaya NagothuAbstract
The final chapter in this book summarizes the main messages and recommendations from the different chapters. The experiences from different chapters show that nature-based solutions (NbS) have the potential to address key societal challenges in vineyard socio-ecosystems. This chapter discusses the limitations for upscaling NbS and measures to overcome them. Scaling up of NbS at the landscape level requires an integrated approach that links policy, financial instruments and technical solutions. Towards the end, the current policy framework available for upscaling of the evidence-based NbS is presented, which could be useful for managers working in the winegrowing regions of the Mediterranean.
Authors
Julian Oeser Rafał Kowalczyk Dries Kuijper Wiebke Neumann Rudolf Reiner Rupert Seidl Cornelius Senf Hendrik Bluhm Nadège C. Bonnot Luca Börger Tomasz Borowik Francesca Cagnacci Marcin Churski Benedikt Gehr Marco Dietmar Heurich A. J. Mark Hewison Klemen Jerina Max Kröschel Nicolas Morellet Atle Mysterud Nives Pagon Gabriele Retez Sebastian Seibold Rita T. Torres Alba Viana-Soto Adrian Mihai Aldea Roksana Baryło Sophie Baur Sebastian Catanoiu Rok Černe Marcin Grzegorzek Dário Hipólito Maciej Januszczak Anders Jarnemo Miloš Ježek Artūras Kibiša Daniel Klich Alain Licoppe Julien Lievens Matthias-Claudio Loretto Weronika Maślanko Erling Meisingset Rasmus Mohr Mortensen András Náhlik Wanda Olech Astrid Olejarz Federico Ossi Algimantas Paulauskas Maryline Pellerin Kajetan Perzanowski Wibke Peters Mirosław Ratkiewicz Thomas Rempfler Sonia Saïd Călin Constantin Șerban Kastytis Šimkevičius Jakub Skorupski Maria Sobczuk Nikica Šprem Peter Sunde Tamás Tari Maciej Tracz Magdalena Tracz Aleksandra Wołoszyn-Gałęza Tobias KuemmerleAbstract
Forest disturbances have increased in many regions, but how they impact habitat suitability for wildlife remains poorly understood. Here, by combining tracking data on 3,069 individuals of four ungulate species (European bison, moose, red deer and roe deer) with satellite-based maps, we perform a continental, multi-decadal assessment of large herbivore responses to forest disturbance. Despite strong intraspecific variation, all species show an increased selection of disturbed areas for ≥35 years after disturbance. Although the patterns closely reflect species-specific foraging strategies, all species selected more strongly for smaller disturbance patches, depending on the availability of alternative foraging habitats (grasslands and croplands). Model projections across the species’ range extents show positive but regionally varying effects of forest disturbances on habitat suitability between 2000 and 2023. Our findings indicate that forest disturbances can attract large herbivores and that the recent increase in forest disturbances improved habitat suitability for our study species across Europe, highlighting the importance of considering long-term disturbance-related dynamics for wildlife and forest management. Given expected future increases in disturbance, resulting habitat improvements could amplify conflicts with forestry, but also contribute to restoring large herbivores and their ecological functions.