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
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Ffion Evans James Gibbons Luciana Bava Dave Chadwick Stefania Colombini Valborg Kvakkestad Lampros Lamprinakis Vibeke Lind Martina Pavesi Prysor Williams Sophie Wynne-JonesAbstract
No abstract has been registered
2025
Authors
Frode VeggelandAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Abstract
Foredrag på NJF Nordic Baltic Symposium
Authors
Gerhard Grüll Gry Alfredsen Geir Wæhler Gustavsen Boris Forsthuber Jonas Niklewski Philip Bester van Niekerk Lone Ross Christian BrischkeAbstract
A survey including 3112 responses from individual end users of wood cladding, from Norway, Sweden and Germany, was conducted with questions related to their experience and preferences regarding cladding with and without coatings. Based on these results and established scientific understanding of Service Life Prediction (SLP) of wood cladding, two decision trees were provided to guide end users in selecting a suitable material to meet their expectations when planning a new cladding. This approach makes the users reflect on maintenance requirements and aesthetic changes rather than choosing a product solely based on initial aesthetic appeal.
Authors
Gry Alfredsen Geir Wæhler Gustavsen Lone Ross Jonas Niklewski Philip Bester van Niekerk Christian BrischkeAbstract
To optimise the use of renewable materials in construction, it is essential to understand the factors influencing decisions throughout their design and service life. Life Cycle Costing (LCC) supports sustainable development by aiming to minimise long-term costs through informed planning of service life, maintenance, and replacement. Central to this is the engineering concept of limit states - Ultimate Limit States (ULS) for structural safety and Serviceability Limit States (SLS) for functionality. However, in non-loadbearing applications such as cladding, maintenance is often driven by aesthetic deterioration rather than structural concerns. These aesthetic limit states are subjective and influenced by user preferences, personality traits, and cultural background. In practice, undesired aesthetic changes are among the main reasons for cladding replacement in Europe, alongside fungal decay and modernisation. Premature replacement due to insufficient communication about weathering effects and maintenance needs remains under-addressed. By accounting for variation in user preferences, material selection can be tailored to support a longer service life. This study presents multi-country variation in climate-related perceptions of wood and user preferences for wooden cladding.
Authors
Trine Hvoslef-Eide Aasmund Bunkholt Atle Wehn Hegnes Petter D. Jenssen Roland Peter Kallenborn Jan Ludvig Lyche Melesse Eshetu_Moges Trine Aulstad Sogn TomasgaardAbstract
To meet the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, we must address the challenge of feeding a growing global population while preserving biodiversity and minimizing land use. Solutions lie in increasing yields on existing farmland and expanding food production in urban and semi-urban areas. Urban environments, traditionally resource-intensive and polluting, must evolve into hubs of circular bioresource use. Biological waste should be seen not as waste, but as recyclable resources. This paper explores how urban food production can be supported by recycling household grey and black water, reducing reliance on costly treatment plants. Black water, combined with food waste, can generate bioenergy in biogas reactors. The resulting digestate can serve as fertilizer or growth media. Research is needed to ensure the safe, circular use of these resources, protecting public health. In parallel, we must develop innovative horticultural technologies – such as rooftop gardens, vertical farming, and wall-based cultivation – using plant varieties tailored for urban conditions. Strengthening local food resilience also involves understanding production in balconies, backyards, allotments, and community gardens. Citizens are eager to learn, and trained urban horticulturalists can guide them. In Norway, we have launched a master’s program in Urban Agriculture, integrating these themes. Students from diverse backgrounds tackle real-world challenges from municipalities and businesses, addressing complex problems that require interdisciplinary solutions, using real-life external cases.
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Cormier, Caitlin Marie Favero, GiacomoAbstract
Food self-sufficiency and local food production are increasingly important in the context of global supply chain uncertainty. In Northern Norway, sustaining agricultural activity is central to national food preparedness, yet vegetable production in Arctic municipalities remains limited. In this study, we examine how vegetable production can be enhanced in Nordreisa municipality by exploring barriers, opportunities, and stakeholder perspectives. Using a qualitative single-case study design, we investigate local realities that shape the current lack of vegetable production through semi-structure interviews with diverse stakeholders across the regional food system and a local interest in vegetable production survey. We found that systemic barriers such as limited infrastructure, fragmented markets, and governance gaps constrain immediate growth. At the same time, motivated producers, consumer interest in local food, and a shared desire for self-sufficiency indicate a latent potential for development. This study suggests that increasing local vegetable production requires a dual approach: grassroots initiatives that mobilize local actors and supportive governance that enables implementation. Practical measures include the establishment of local storage and distribution facility, fostering collaboration between producers and consumers, and aligning municipal and national policies with local capacities. Through the enhancement of social networks and institutional support, municipalities like Nordreisa can take concrete steps towards strengthened local vegetable production.
Abstract
Organic farming has sparked discussions about environmental sustainability, conservation, health and community involvement. In essence, it represents a broader shift in societal values, paving the way for a more sustainable and socially responsible future that includes all segments of society. This chapter thoroughly investigates the multi-faceted socio-economic impacts of organic agriculture, including economic, social and cultural dimensions. It also addresses the difficulties that farmers face when transitioning to organic farming methods and offers solutions to these difficulties. Its primary goal is to provide readers with the necessary knowledge to capitalize on the socio-economic benefits of organic farming while effectively addressing the associated challenges. The chapter focuses on how organic agriculture can promote sustainable livelihoods, boost economic well-being, and increase social and environmental resilience. It also highlights the potential of organic farming to drive long-term growth and revitalize rural landscapes.