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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.

2002

Abstract

A process-based model was used to simulate biomass production of Norway spruce under both current climate and climate change scenarios. The model was parameterized for Nordmoen in south-east Norway using real climate data for the period 1987-1989. The model was applied to predict the biomass production responses to three climate change scenarios.The results showed that net primary production (NPP) increased by 7% under an elevated annual mean air temperature of 4C from the current 10.1 t dry mass ha-1 yr-1. A doubled current ambient CO2 concentration significantly increased NPP by 36%.The scenario of both elevated temperature and elevated CO2 concentration led to an increase in the NPP of 49%, higher than the sum of the two effects acting singly. The results also showed that forest production responses to climate change depend on the conditions of climate used for reference.

Abstract

Tree height, the height from the ground surface to the tree crown, and the crown length as a proportion of tree height of individual trees were derived from various canopy height metrics measured by a small-footprint airborne laser scanner flown over a boreal forest reserve. The average spacing on the ground of the laser pulses ranged from 0.66 to 1.29 m. Ground-truth values were regressed against laser-derived canopy height metrics. The regressions explained 75%, 53%, and 51% of the variability in ground-truth tree height, height to the crown, and relative crown length, respectively. Cross-validation of the regressions revealed standard deviations of the differences between predicted and ground-truth values of 3.15 m (17.6%), 2.19 m (39.1%), and 10.48% (14.9% of ground-truth mean), respectively. On 10 plots with size 50 m2 in the boreal forest reserve and on 27 plots with size 200 m2 in a managed spruce forest, mean tree height, average height from the ground surface to the crown, and average relative crown length were regressed against laser canopy height metrics. The coefficients of determination (R2) ranged from .47 to .91. Cross-validation revealed a precision of 1.49 m (7.6%), 1.24-1.52 m (20.9-23.3%), and 6.32-7.11% (8.8-10.9% of ground-truth mean) for mean tree height, average height to the crown, and average relative crown length, respectively. At least, mean tree height can be determined more accurately from laser data than by current methods.

Abstract

Growth effects in a sub-alpine, low-yield Norway spruce forest in southeast Norway are reported. Sixteen sample plots of 400 m2, established 8-9 years after a mountain forest selective (MFS) cutting in the mid-1970s, were re-investigated in 2000. The selective cutting was heavy, with a mean felling volume of 72 per cent of the standing volume. Most trees in the remaining stands responded positively with increased growth after the cutting, and this was most pronounced in small and medium sized trees. A weak relationship between standing volume before and after felling, and the actual stand volume increment in the 25-year period was revealed. The felling has stimulated natural regeneration and increased the proportion of birch. The results indicate that not more than ~65 per cent of the standing volume should be cut in a single intervention if cutting cycle is less than 50 years.

Abstract

Modeling studies indicate that if the global warming persists over centuries, the tundra-taiga boundary will move northwards. However, on a regional scale large variations may exist, and in oceanic areas a southwards retreat may also be expected. This tendency is reinforced by human activity, in particular in northern Russia. Local changes over short periods therefore requires continuous observation and monitoring of treeline movement, from an economic as well as forecology and conservation.

Abstract

Six experimental sites in the coastal spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) forest of central Norway were investigated. A comparison of different silviculture systems was performed based on the present situation of mature stands, and a single tree selection system, a group system and a clearcutting system were studied. The diameter distribution shows the classical inverse J-shaped curve at five of six sites. The mean tree volume removed in the selection system was 0.6 m3, and about 0.3 m3 for the other two methods. The harvesting cost was about 14 Euro/m3 for clearcutting, and about 10% higher for the group and selection systems. In simulations of all future revenues and expenses based on the observed stand conditions, cutting and extraction costs, the net present value (NPV) was app. 15% lower for the group and selection systems compared to clearcutting. A lower stem volume production in uneven-aged stands and higher administration and harvesting costs had only a minor influence on the NPV. One percent higher interest rate lowered the NPV of the group and selection systems to 75% of the clearcutting method.

Abstract

Trees cover over one-third of the world\"s land area and carry out about two-thirds of global photosynthesis. Coniferous forests cover 1.2 billion hectares of Alaska, Canada, Scandinavia, and Russia, and comprise one-fourth of the world\"s boreal and temperate forests. More than 50% of Scandinavia\"s land area consists of forests, mostly coniferous. Information about the molecular responses in trees to biotic and abiotic factors is therefore of great importance - both scientifically and practically. Generation of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) is an important part of genome research. Randomly selected cDNA clones are partially sequenced, and the ESTs reflect the level and complexity of gene expression in the sampled tissue. In order to find interesting gene products and to study gene expression in the most common and economically important conifer in the Nordic countries, we have started an EST-project on Norway spruce. So far we have sequenced ~3500 cDNA clones based on mRNA isolated from needles and cell cultures. Here, we present the frequency of the different ESTs, their putative function and their functional classification. We aim at sequencing another 20,000-30,000 cDNA-clones from wood-forming tissues and from seedlings treated with drought, low temperatures, pathogen infection, etc. The long-term goal is to develop a non-redundant and annotated collection of Norway spruce clones to be used in combination with microarray analysis