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
Abstract
Poster presented at SETAC 2026. Plastic waste in the environment has been suggested as a potential carrier for azoles and other pesticides, which may contribute to the selection and spread of fungal resistance to azole-based medicines and pesticides. Here, we report results from pesticide analyses of plastic litter collected across Norway. Although many of the 120 plastic samples were weathered and small, we detected pesticides and other contaminants on 36 of the samples, including azoles on 13 of them. Azole concentrations ranged from 2-66 µg/kg plastic litter. The concentrations of the other contaminants ranged from 1 to 731 µg/kg plastic litter, with the highest finding of the herbicide fluroxypyr-meptyl on a piece of hayball plastic wrap. 18 of the litter samples with findings were found in forest habitats, whereas 17 samples were sampled from farmland and grassland. The findings suggest certain pesticides and biocides, including azoles, bind more strongly to plastic than previously assumed, allowing contaminants to persist and spread beyond agricultural areas into natural habitats. This raises concerns about environmental transport of antifungal agents and the potential acceleration of resistance development, posing risks to health and ecosystems.
Authors
José E. Pérez-Martín Femke Batsleer Martijn L. Vandegehuchte Ivan M. De-La-Cruz Carolina Diller José F. Sánchez-Sevilla Anne Muola Johan A. Stenberg Timo Hytönen Dries Bonte David Posé Sonia OsorioAbstract
Phenotypic plasticity and local adaptation jointly shape plant responses to environmental variation, but their relative contributions and trait-specific interactions remain poorly understood. (1) We quantified metabolites and measured growth, reproduction and herbivore resistance-related traits in 15 Fragaria vesca genotypes from a European latitudinal gradient grown reciprocally in four common gardens over two years. (2) Environment explained most trait variance (30%), followed by genotype × environment interactions (18%) indicating evolved plasticity, then genotype (9%). (3) Northern genotypes exhibited greater plasticity in stress-related metabolites but more canalization in growth-related traits, while southern genotypes maintained constitutively high levels of protective metabolites; this resulted in latitude shaping more than 4% of plasticity profiles. (4) Long-term temperature at origin outperformed precipitation in predicting trait variation across all categories. Synthesis. Plasticity dominates over local adaptation along climate gradients but evolves in a trait-specific manner as a heritable target of selection, buffering populations against climate shifts while also shaping the pace of genetic tracking, critical for predicting range dynamics under climate change.
Authors
Mikołaj Owsianiak Ioanna Panteli Erlend Grenager Sørmo Peter Fantke Gudny Øyre Flatabø Gerard CornelissenAbstract
Evaluation of biochar-assisted contaminant immobilization as a soil remediation technology must consider the trade-off between the positive effects of reduced toxic impacts through soil cleanup and climate change mitigation through carbon storage, and the negative impacts associated with contaminants introduced to soil with the biochar. Addressing this trade-off is challenging, as existing models and characterization factors used in life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) are generally not representative of conditions at contaminated sites, particularly in the presence of sorbents such as biochar. In addition, comparative toxicity potentials (CTPs) of most per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) compounds are not available for soils. To address these challenges, we applied the USEtox framework to quantify environmental fate, ecosystem exposure, and ecotoxicological effects of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) as the remediation target, and several metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) introduced via biochar amendment. The resulting CTPs were used in the LCIA phase of a life cycle assessment (LCA) of soil remediation based on the LC-Impact methodology. Biochar had a significant influence on the CTPs of PAHs, a moderate effect on PFOA, and a limited effect on metals. The trade-off between the immobilization of PFOA and the introduction of PAHs and metals was outweighed by the benefits of carbon storage and avoided incumbent waste management. These results suggest that the implementation of biochar-assisted remediation should be primarily guided by the carbon storage potential of the biochar and the characteristics of incumbent feedstock treatment pathways, whereas the effect of biochar on PFOA immobilization was less influential.
Authors
Giovanni D’Amico Davide Botticelli Giacomo Marcelli Walter Mattioli Gherardo Chirici Elia Vangi Costanza Borghi Piermaria Corona Johannes Schumacher Johannes Breidenbach Yang Su Lauri Mehtätalo Saverio FranciniAbstract
This data article presents a multi-source dataset of satellite-based auxiliary data designed for forest modelling and monitoring. The dataset integrates annual medoid composites derived from Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, and Landsat imagery, together with spectral indices, Landsat-based 3I3D change metrics, forest mask and forest type layers, and terrain variables derived from the Copernicus GLO-30 DEM, offering comprehensive information on forest cover, spectral behavior, and change metrics. It provides harmonized predictors across seven European countries, ensuring consistency, scalability, and ease of use for researchers developing or validating models to understand forest dynamics and estimate forest-related variables such as biomass or canopy recovery. A curated subset of the dataset is distributed via Zenodo, along with direct public access links to the complete multi-terabyte archive. The data support applications in forest biodiversity conservation, carbon monitoring, biomass modelling, and climate-change impact assessment.
Authors
Giovanni Peratoner Caren Pauler Manuel Schneider Vibeke Lind Andreas Klingler Andreas Schaumberger Enrico SturaroAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Merethe Dotterud Leiren Torbjørg Jevnaker Lars Harald Gulbrandsen Erlend Andre T. Hermansen Jørgen Wettestad Knut ØistadAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Anne Straumfors Anani Komlavi Afanou Oda Astrid Haarr Foss Abdelhameed Elameen Mikkel Meyn Liljegren Hans Geir EikenAbstract
Abstract Background: Pesticides are used in greenhouse cultivation to control fungi and pests and to shape plant growth. This influences microbial communities and may increase the selective pressure for resistant species development. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health challenge, and while AMR dispersal through soil and water is well studied, the role of bioaerosols as AMR vectors remains insufficiently explored. Objectives: To explore the link between chemical pesticide and the prevalence of AMR genes in aerosols from greenhouses using pesticides and those not using them. Methods: Forty-nine fullshift personal samples of inhalable dust were collected in eight greenhouses from 2021 and 2024. Five greenhouses used chemical pesticides and three did not. DNA was extracted and screened for the presence of 45 clinically relevant AMR genes using HT-qPCR. Results: Twenty of the 45 screened genes were detected. Greenhouses using pesticides showed significantly higher AMR gene levels than those not using chemicals. Several genes, particularly β-lactam and tetracycline resistance genes, occurred in high concentrations, including extreme values exceeding 60,000 gene copies/m³. This suggest that pesticide-using greenhouses may represent a greater risk for AMR dispersal. In contrast, greenhouses without chemical pesticide showed lower and more stable AMR gene levels. Factors other than pesticide application may also contribute, such as import of treated plants, soil and fertilizer materials, plant types or individual workers. Further research is needed to assess the health risks for greenhouse workers and to support the development of effective strategies for preventing and controlling AMR spread.
Authors
Felix Seidel Jorge Álvaro‐Fuentes Martin A. Bolinder Claudia Di Bene Mariangela Diacono Eugenio Diaz‐Pines Sophia Götzinger Thomas Kätterer Sonja G. Keel Katharina M. Keiblinger Jens Leifeld Jan Peter Lesschen Ioanna Panagea Daniel Rasse Christoph Rosinger Greet Ruysschaert Florian Schneider Daria Seitz Heide Spiegel Marjetka Suhadolc Silvia Vanino Axel DonAbstract
Soil degradation threatens global agriculture by compromising soil health, while sustainable agricultural management enhances soil functionality and carbon (C) storage, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation. This study estimates the feasible C sequestration potential of ten agricultural management practices across Europe, by applying practice‐specific emission factors and identifying areas suitable for additional implementation. For each management option, the implementation area was defined based on environmental and technical limitations and, if applicable, EU regulations. The objective of this study is to identify general patterns, relative magnitudes, and plausible ranges of carbon sequestration potentials across Europe. Considering soil C from 0 to 50 cm depth, biochar application shows the highest and most robust potential, contributing approximately 34%–47% of the total estimated annual C sequestration rate. This is followed by agroforestry, contributing 24%–45% (of which ~10% occurs in soils and ~90% in biomass), and zero tillage with 11%–15%. Optimised crop residue management (4%–6%), forage legumes and temporary ley rotations (4%–5%), and cover cropping (2%–3%) contribute comparatively smaller shares. Non‐inversion tillage and irrigation offered a marginal C sequestration potential. By implementing all non‐mutually exclusive management options, the greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation potential is estimated at approximately 20%–30% of current, annual, agricultural GHG emissions in Europe (740 Mt. CO 2 e yr. −1 ), including the land‐use, land‐use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector. For the EU‐27, this corresponds to a similar range of 20%–31% of annual agricultural GHG emissions (614 Mt. CO 2 e yr. −1 ), also including the LULUCF sector. Evaluating trade‐offs and synergies of each management option is essential for achieving sustainable soil management. The success of C sequestration efforts in European agriculture depends on scaling up improved management practices. Meanwhile, soil C stocks decrease and entrenched policy as well as economic and other adoption barriers suggest that even the conservative scenario may be overly optimistic.
Abstract
In East Africa, including Tanzania, the vast majority of the population relies on fuelwood for domestic energy consumption, particularly for cooking. This heavy dependence on biomass has significant implications for forest resources, contributing to forest disturbances, but has not been sufficiently investigated until now. This study aims to explore these dynamics in Mainland Tanzania between 2001 and 2023 by assessing Tree Cover Loss, Above-Ground Biomass, biomass loss and demand trends, and evaluating the fraction of Non-Renewable Biomass. The study integrates remote sensing data from Global Forest Watch, national household budget surveys, and published literature, applying geospatial analysis and statistical modelling. Results showed that between 2001 and 2023 AGB declined, with a consistent drop in biomass density. Total Biomass Loss rose from 39 Mt in 2001 to 70.1 Mt in 2022, while Total Biomass Demand surged from 22.6 to 55.4 Mt. The gap between supply and demand narrowed slightly, suggesting a possible increase in resource use efficiency for energy provision. Out of 26 regions, 11 are net consumers, and 15 are net suppliers. This illustrates the uneven distribution of biomass resources and demand nationwide. The fraction of Non- Renewable Biomass rose from 23.8% in 2001 to 34.1% in 2012 and then stabilized. About 79% of this in 2022 was due to cooking-related biomass demand, highlighting unsustainable biomass use. Overall, this study offers critical insights into forest resource use in Tanzania, with implications for sustainable management and climate policy. The refined estimates of biomass dynamics and fraction of Non-Renewable Biomass support more targeted, data-driven decision-making. While limitations exist, the results emphasize the need for better monitoring to support sustainable energy and forestry strategies.
Abstract
Tree falls along linear infrastructures and in particular powerlines pose a significant economic, safety and environmental challenge for the companies and institutions managing these infrastructures. The quick progression and affordability of remote sensing technologies such as drone-based inventories offers the opportunity to quickly and efficiently map individual trees along these infrastructures, enabling precise vegetation management to reduce risks. Here, we show how the hybrid empirical and mechanistic wind risk model ForestGALES can be applied to assess the vulnerability of individual trees to windfalls along selected powerlines in southern Norway. The validation dataset contained 180 recorded individual tree falls along powerlines from the winter 2020–2021. There was no major wind event recorded that winter. However, still, the ForestGALES model performed adequately, with an AUC (area under the curve) of 0.67. Combining the vulnerability index from ForestGALES with all other available tree and environmental variables in a machine learning model (extreme gradient boost algorithm) did however significantly improve the prediction performance. These results highlight how a combination of high-quality remote sensing data at the individual tree level can be utilized with ForestGALES and machine learning to provide managers with high-resolution vulnerability information for vegetation management.