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.
2020
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Authors
Claire R. Peart Sergio Tusso Saurabh D. Pophaly Fidel Botero-Castro Chi-Chih Wu David Aurioles-Gamboa Amy B. Baird John W. Bickham Jaume Forcada Filippo Galimberti Neil J. Gemmell Joseph I. Hoffman Kit M. Kovacs Mervi Kunnasranta Christian Lydersen Tommi Nyman Larissa Rosa de Oliveira Anthony J. Orr Simona Sanvito Mia Valtonen Aaron B. A. Shafer Jochen B. W. WolfAbstract
The effective size of a population (Ne), which determines its level of neutral variability, is a key evolutionary parameter. Ne can substantially depart from census sizes of present-day breeding populations (NC) as a result of past demographic changes, variation in life-history traits and selection at linked sites. Using genome-wide data we estimated the long-term coalescent Ne for 17 pinniped species represented by 36 population samples (total n = 458 individuals). Ne estimates ranged from 8,936 to 91,178, were highly consistent within (sub)species and showed a strong positive correlation with NC (R2adj = 0.59; P = 0.0002). Ne/NC ratios were low (mean, 0.31; median, 0.13) and co-varied strongly with demographic history and, to a lesser degree, with species’ ecological and life-history variables such as breeding habitat. Residual variation in Ne/NC, after controlling for past demographic fluctuations, contained information about recent population size changes during the Anthropocene. Specifically, species of conservation concern typically had positive residuals indicative of a smaller contemporary NC than would be expected from their long-term Ne. This study highlights the value of comparative population genomic analyses for gauging the evolutionary processes governing genetic variation in natural populations, and provides a framework for identifying populations deserving closer conservation attention.
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Lang Liu Yongjie Kuang Fang Yan Shaofang Li Bin Ren Gokul Gosavi Carl Jonas Jorge Spetz Xiangju Li Xifeng Wang Xueping Zhou Huanbin ZhouAbstract
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Authors
Junjun Lu Yuxin Miao Wei Shi Jingxin Li Xiaoyi Hu Zhichao Chen Xinbing Wang Krzysztof KusnierekAbstract
RapidSCAN is a portable active canopy sensor with red, red-edge, and near infrared spectral bands. The objective of this study is to develop and evaluate a RapidSCAN sensor-based precision nitrogen (N) management (PNM) strategy for high-yielding rice in Northeast China. Six rice N rate experiments were conducted from 2014 to 2016 at Jiansanjiang Experiment Station of China Agricultural University in Northeast China. The results indicated that the sensor performed well for estimating rice yield potential (YP0) and yield response to additional N application (RIHarvest) at the stem elongation stage using normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) (R2 = 0.60–0.77 and relative error (REr) = 6.2–8.0%) and at the heading stage using normalized difference red edge (NDRE) (R2 = 0.70–0.82 and REr = 7.3–8.7%). A new RapidSCAN sensor-based PNM strategy was developed that would make N recommendations at both stem elongation and heading growth stages, in contrast to previously developed strategy making N recommendation only at the stem elongation stage. This new PNM strategy could save 24% N fertilizers, and increase N use efficiencies by 29–35% as compared to Farmer N Management, without significantly affecting the rice grain yield and economic returns. Compared with regional optimum N management, the new PNM strategy increased 4% grain yield, 3–10% N use efficiencies and 148 $ ha−1 economic returns across years and varieties. It is concluded that the new RapidSCAN sensor-based PNM strategy with two in-season N recommendations using NDVI and NDRE is suitable for guiding in-season N management in high-yield rice management systems. Future studies are needed to evaluate this RapidSCAN sensor-based PNM strategy under diverse on-farm conditions, as well as to integrate it into high-yield rice management systems for food security and sustainable development.
Authors
D. Fjeld Mikael Rönnqvist Patrik FlisbergAbstract
Payment tariffs for logging truck transport in Nordic countries are typically based on the loaded transport distance. Local tariffs often provide a good representation of the mean cost, however, as variation in topography and the transport environment increases; loaded distance alone represents the actual cost poorly. In addition, routes with increasing curvature also constitute more frequent braking and acceleration cycles. Moreover, driving in such topographical environments during the winter raises additional safety and operator stress issues. This study examines the situation in Norway where logging truck routes often start in mountainous regions. It tests the applicability of a route-generation system developed in Sweden and determines if it can be adopted in Norway. The case study is based on 30 detailed routes from each country, reported and analyzed by their respective transport managers. Based on typical local tariffs, the results show the route-specific variation in costs and profit margins associated with the varying transport environments. A framework for classifying transport environments is proposed as a basis for tariff agreements that better represent the actual transport cost. This increases fairness and supports economic sustainability for transporters. Study Implications: The proposed route-specific cost computation approach can be used by managers to develop more equitable tariff systems between transporters and transport service buyers. In addition, it can be used to provide route selections that are more easily handled in fully automated systems. This has been done in Sweden and has now been tested in Norway. This provides a first step for other countries and regions to follow suit. Lastly, the proposed approach enables a more equitable service payment for all parties, providing transporters with a better balance between revenues and costs.
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Authors
Claire CoutrisAbstract
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Authors
Katrin M. Lindroth Astrid Johansen Viveca Båverud Johan Dicksved Jan Erik Lindberg Cecilia E. MüllerAbstract
Free faecal liquid (FFL) is a condition in horses where faeces are voided in one solid and one liquid phase. The liquid phase contaminates the tail, hindlegs and area around the anus of the horse, resulting in management problems and potentially contributing to impaired equine welfare. The underlying causes are not known, but anecdotal suggestions include feeding wrapped forages or other feed- or management-related factors. Individual horse factors may also be associated with the presence of FFL. This study, therefore, aimed to characterize horses showing FFL particularly when fed wrapped forages, and to map the management and feeding strategies of these horses. Data were retrieved by a web-based survey, including 339 horses with FFL. A large variety of different breeds, ages, disciplines, coat colours, housing systems and feeding strategies were represented among the horses in the study, meaning that any type of horse could be affected. Respondents were asked to indicate if their horse had diminished signs of FFL with different changes in forage feeding. Fifty-eight percent (n = 197) of the horse owners reported diminished signs of FFL in their horses when changing from wrapped forages to hay; 46 (n = 156) of the horse owners reported diminished signs of FFL in their horses when changing from wrapped forages to pasture; 17% (n = 58) reported diminished signs of FFL when changing from any type of forage batch to any other forage. This indicated that feeding strategy may be of importance, but cannot solely explain the presence of FFL. The results also showed that the horses in this study had a comparably high incidence of previous colic (23%, n = 78) compared to published data from other horse populations. In conclusion, the results showed that FFL may affect a large variety of horse types and that further studies should include detailed data on individual horse factors including gastrointestinal diseases as well as feeding strategies, in order to increase the chance of finding causes of FFL.