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.
2025
Authors
Petter D. Jenssen Trond Mæhlum Melesse Eshetu_Moges Bente Føreid Trine Hvoslef-Eide Jihong Liu Clarke Arve Heistad Manoj Kumar PandeyAbstract
Urban agriculture requires resources such as growth media, nutrients, and water. This report demonstrates how these resources can be locally sourced through a circular economy approach, in which waste materials are recovered and reused. Recycling helps reduce or eliminate the discharge of pollutants into water and air. Examples presented show how to convert waste from households—such as human excreta, wastewater, and organic household waste—into biogas, compost/growth media, biochar, and solid and liquid fertilizer for urban agriculture and urban greening. The solutions presented have been explored through desktop evaluations, practical trials, or full-scale demonstrations to see how the technologies can be improved or adapted for urban use. Products like liquid and solid fertilizers, compost, aquaponic fish feed, irrigation water, and energy (methane) can be used in urban food production or recreational areas. Regulations for the use of waste resources in the production of growth media, fertilizers, irrigation water, fodder, and energy vary between countries but are generally restrictive due to the risk of disease transmission and pollutant build-up. For urban agriculture to become more circular, there is a need for documentation of good waste treatment routines, changes in legislation, and changes in attitudes towards the use of local waste resources.
Abstract
In Norway, the spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) has been monitored for several decades. By tracking beetle population levels, the monitoring program can alert forest owners about rising risks of forest damage so they can take preventive measures. In 2025, trap catches of the spruce bark beetle in southern Norway remained at a moderate level compared to the average for all the years with monitoring. Beetle numbers decreased in five of the 12 counties included in the Norwegian bark beetle monitoring program (Akershus including Oslo, Østfold, Vestfold, Telemark, and Sør-Trøndelag) and remained stable in one county (Buskerud). The six counties with increasing trap catch either showed a moderate increase (Oppland and Hedmark) or an increase from very low levels (Aust-Agder, Vest-Agder, Nord-Trøndelag, and Nordland). The 2025 monitoring season started with slightly warmer and drier conditions than normal in May in Southeastern Norway, favoring early bark beetle flight in this region. In contrast, cool and wet weather in Mid- and Northern Norway delayed beetle flight and led to very low trap catches in the first two trapping periods. In July, temperatures rose across the whole country, with extreme drought developing in parts of Mid- and Northern Norway. This contributed to high trap catches in the third trapping period in the three northernmost counties (Sør-Trøndelag, Nord-Trøndelag and Nordland). The highest trap catches in 2025 were recorded in Telemark, Buskerud, and Oppland, where beetle numbers remained high compared to the long-term average. Several municipalities in these counties exceeded the trap catch threshold for moderate risk of bark beetle damage, and Sør-Aurdal, Etnedal, and Tokke also exceeded the high-risk threshold. As in 2023 and 2024, the highest trap catches were concentrated in regions of Southeastern Norway that were heavily affected by a major windthrow in November 2021. In the two municipalities that were hit the hardest by the 2021 storm, Sør-Aurdal and Etnedal, trap catches continued to increase in 2025 and reached very high levels. A temperature-based development model suggests that by September 30, conditions were warm enough for the beetles to complete two generations in areas along the southeastern coast and in low-lying inland valleys. However, the model results do not necessarily mean that two generations actually occurred in the field.
Abstract
Background: Campylobacter is an important water- and food-borne pathogen with notable genetic similarity among strains isolated from humans, animals, and environmental sources. This systematic review and meta- analysis synthesized available evidence on the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and associated risk factors of Campylobacter in humans, animals, and the environment in Ethiopia. Methods: Articles published from 1997 to 2024 were systematically searched and retrieved from PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, and data from eligible articles were extracted using a standardized data extraction template. Heterogeneity was evaluated using Cochran’s Q statistic, the I² statistic, and Egger’s test for small-study effects. Data extraction and analysis were conducted using Microsoft Excel and Stata 14. Results: Of the 11,573 samples analyzed across 26 studies, 3204 were positive for Campylobacter, yielding a pooled prevalence of 19.9 %. The highest prevalence was observed in environmental samples (33.4 %), followed by humans (31.4 %) and animals (24 %). Regionally, Oromia showed the highest prevalence (30.4 %), while Addis Ababa and Tigray reported the lowest (11.0 %). Cephalothin and ampicillin exhibited the highest antimicrobial resistance (100 %), whereas gentamicin showed the lowest (7.1 %). Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli were the most frequently identified species and demonstrated the highest resistance levels. Major risk factors for campylobacteriosis included frequent animal contact, consumption of undercooked or contaminated food and water, and low parental education levels among affected children. Conclusion: This study highlights the distribution and increasing prevalence of Campylobacter and associated antimicrobial resistance within a One Health framework. Future research should encompass wider geographic coverage and include diverse sources such as poultry, companion animals, vegetables, and wastewater to generate more comprehensive epidemiological data. Such efforts will help address existing knowledge gaps and support the development of targeted interventions to reduce foodborne infections and mitigate antimicrobial resistance.
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Micheloni, Cristina Oudshoorn, Frank Willem Raigon Jimenez, Maria Dolores Autio, Sari Beste, Andrea Blanco Penedo, María Isabel Bourin, Marie-Christine Goracci, Jacopo Matthias Koesling Kretzschmar, Ursula Malusá, Eligio Speiser, Bernhard van der Blom, Jan Wäckers, Felix Amador, Alberto Auranmaa, Kirsi Brugger, Harald Burkart, Crinna Cozzo, Riccardo Hansen, Max Milan, Marlene Molteni, Roberto Perez Calvo, Maria del Mar Raffaitin, Pauline Rauch, Thomas Sossidou, Evangelia Waidelich, AnneAbstract
Considering the most recent technical and scientific information available to the experts, the Group is requested: (5) to agree on the criteria for evaluation of substances for cleaning and disinfection to be applied to all fields of organic production where the use of such agents is necessary to maintain a high level of food hygiene. (6) to make a proposal for a negative list of substances with unwanted properties based on the above defined criteria. (7) to carry on some worked examples of evaluation of prioritized dossiers submitted by the Member States on products for cleaning and disinfection based on the criteria agreed: i. Hydrogen peroxide (DK) ii. Sodium percarbonate (hydrogen peroxide released from sodium percarbonate, DK) iii. Sodium hydroxide (NL) iv. Glutaraldehyde (SE) v. Chlorine dioxide (NO) vi. Calcium hypochlorite (FR) vii. Peracetic acid (FR) viii. Formic acid (FR) ix. Sodium hypochlorite (FR) x. Iodophors (FR) xi. Dipotassium peroxodisulfate + potassium peroxomonosulfate (SE) xii. Fatty acid potassium salt (SE) xiii. Methane sulfonic acid (probably GER, the request was made by BASF Ludwigshafen) (8) to schedule the work for evaluating the rest of the substances on the Commission priority list. For the preparation of its report the Group was invited to examine technical dossiers provided to the Commission by the Member States and suggest amendments to the Annex IV to the Regulation (EU) 2021/1165.
Authors
Micheloni, Cristina Oudshoorn, Frank Willem Raigon Jimenez, Maria Dolores Autio, Sari Beste, Andrea Goracci, Jacopo Matthias Koesling Kretzschmar, Ursula Malusá, Eligio Raigon Jimenez, Maria Dolores Speiser, Bernhard van der Blom, Jan Wäckers, Felix WAIDELICH, Anne AMADOR, Alberto AURANMAA, Kirsi BRUGGER, Harald BURKART, Corinna COZZO, Riccardo HANSEN, Max MOLTENI, Roberto PEREZ CALVO, Maria Del Mar RAFFAITIN, Pauline RAUCH, Thomas SOSSIDOU, Evangelia WÖLBITSCH-MILAN, MarleneAbstract
The Expert Group for Technical Advice on Organic Production (EGTOP, thereafter called ‘the Group’) was asked to prepare a technical advice about the applicability of detergents (referred to in the organic legislation as ‘products for cleaning’) and biocidal products (referred to in the organic legislation as ‘products for disinfection’) in organic production. The use of biocidal products and detergents in organic production must be compliant with the Biocidal Products Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 and the Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 on Detergents.
Authors
Micheloni, Cristina Oudshoorn, Frank Willem Blanco Penedo, María Isabel Autio, Sari Beste, Andrea Goracci, Jacopo Matthias Koesling Kretzschmar, Ursula Malusá, Eligio Raigon Jimenez, Maria Dolores Speiser, Bernhard van der Blom, Jan Wäckers, Felix ROINSARD, Antoine ESKILDSEN, MariaAbstract
This report responds to the European Commission’s request for technical advice from EGTOP on the compliance of innovative building systems for pigs with organic farming principles and regulations, particularly those outlined in Regulation (EU) 2018/848 and implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/464 . These systems integrate indoor barns with covered outdoor areas but generally lack direct access to open air areas, preferable pasture. The Group assessed these systems in light of organic principles, animal welfare standards, environmental impacts, structural design, biosecurity risks, farmer working conditions, and consumer expectations. The assessment considered scientific literature, existing EU legislation, and the core values of organic production: health, ecology, fairness, and care. The Group acknowledges that these innovative modular systems may offer improvements in thermal comfort, increased outdoor area, manure management, and labor efficiency in confined conditions. In the system under assessment, the available indoor surface appears reduced compared to the requirements outlined in organic standards (Regulation (EU) 2020/464, Articles 11 and 12), while outdoor access would not be guaranteed during adverse weather conditions. The limited indoor area risks compromising animal welfare, falling below the minimum standards of organic production, as animals may be left without sufficient space or opportunities to express natural behaviours under such circumstances.
Authors
Tuanjit Sritongchuay Michael Beckmann Bo Dalsgaard Alexandra Maria Klein Angela Lausch Anders Nielsen Julia Osterman Peter Selsam Kanuengnit Wayo Ralf SeppeltAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Mikołaj Piniewski Natalja Čerkasova Svajunas Plunge Michael Strauch Christoph Schürz Péter Braun Enrico Antonio Chiaradia Joana Eichenberger Mohammad Reza Eini Csilla Farkas Marie Anne Eurie Forio Peter Goethals Piroska Kassai Štěpán Marval Diego G. Panique-Casso Lorenzo Sanguanini Moritz Shore Brigitta Szabó Petr Slavík Felix WitingAbstract
This study proposes a new workflow for crop growth evaluation and yield calibration in the Soil and Water Assessment Tool Plus (SWAT+) model and evaluates its impact on simulated hydrological and biogeochemical processes. The workflow was applied for ten small agricultural catchments in Europe. A detailed demonstration is provided for the German catchment, Schwarzer Schöps. The workflow proved effective across all catchments, improving yield calibration from an initial R2 of 0.5–0.84. The results show that evapotranspiration and soil moisture were only moderately affected by crop calibration in three catchments (Belgium, Czech Republic and Norway) and negligibly changed in the remaining ones. Sediment and nutrient balance were affected more strongly: sediment, nitrogen and phosphorus loss change reached 82 % (Norway), 16 % and 20 % (Czech Republic), respectively. The proposed workflow is a valuable tool for improving the accuracy of SWAT + simulations and can be used to support decision-making in environmental management.
Authors
Shun Hasegawa Inge Stupak Kristin Baldursdóttir Hannu Ilvesniemi Carl-Fredrik Johannesson O. Janne Kjønaas Andis Lazdins Aleksi Lehtonen Jenni Nordén Ivika Ostonen David Paré Helena Marta Stefánsdóttir Johan Stendahl Iveta Varnagiryté-Kabasinskiene Lars Vesterdal Lise DalsgaardAbstract
Bakgrunn: Overvåking av karbon i skogjord gjennomføres i mange land, noe som har resultert i omfattende nasjonale datasett, også i tilfelle hvor landene har felles grenser og i stor utstrekning lignende eller tilsvarende skogs- og jordtyper. Mulighet: Internasjonalt samarbeid om data og feltmetoder kan legge til rette for integrasjon av datasett og sammenligning av overvåkingsdata til støtte for utvikling av internasjonal politikk i et multinasjonalt fremfor et nasjonalt perspektiv. Utfordring: Variasjoner i overvåkingsmetodikk mellom land må håndteres for å kunne gjennomføre en effektiv syntese av data om karbon i skogjord. Tilnærming: Hvert land har utviklet sitt eget overvåkingsprogram for å møte spesifikke og nasjonale miljømessige og institusjonelle behov, noe som har ført til omfattende datasett på nasjonalt nivå. Harmonisering kan bidra til å realisere det fulle potensialet i disse nasjonale datasettene gjennom utvikling av internasjonale referansedefinisjoner. En tilnærming med utgangspunkt i harmonisering tillater nasjonal tilpasning, samtidig med at data kan brukes i en internasjonal kontekst, i kontrast til standardisering og en «én størrelse passer alle»-tilnærming.