Category: News

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Soil as a carbon sink – science based information in video format

To meet the challenges of a changing climate, soil as a carbon sink has become a crucial tool. SNS and NKJ have gathered knowledge from throughout the Nordic region – which is know easily accessible in four short films.

 

Swedish text below the films

In four seminars during 2021, SNS and NKJ explored issues on soil as a carbon sink. We gathered experts and stakeholders from different disciplines to learn from each other and to take this crucial topic towards the future.

Increasing carbon storage in soil is proposed to be one of the most cost-effective climate measures, a measure that also has a positive impact on aspects such as biodiversity and soil fertility. The topic has gained the decision-makers’ interest and sits high on the political agenda in the Nordics. The seminar series aimed to stimulate knowledge exchange between Nordic actors interested in soil as a carbon sink.

Now SNS and NKJ have gathered the outcomes from the seminars in four films:

Carbon sink part 1: what do we really know about soil as a carbon sink?

Carbon sink part 2: policy challenges with regards to soil carbon sequestration

Carbon sink part 3: visualisation methods and models

Carbon sink part 4: into the future

 

 

 

 

 

Swedish text

För att klara utmaningarna med ett förändrat klimat har marken som kolsänka blivit ett avgörande verktyg. SNS och NKJ har samlat kunskap från hela Norden – vilken nu är lättillgänglig i fyra kortfilmer.

 

I fyra seminarier under 2021 utforskade SNS och NKJ frågor om mark som kolsänka. Vi samlade experter och intressenter från olika discipliner för att lära av varandra och ta detta viktiga ämne mot framtiden.

Kolinlagring i mark lär vara en av de mest kostnadseffektiva klimatåtgärderna, en åtgärd som också har en positiv inverkan på till exempel biologisk mångfald och markens bördighet. Ämnet har fångat beslutsfattarnas intresse och står högt på den politiska agendan i Norden. Seminarieserien syftade till att stimulera kunskapsutbyte mellan nordiska aktörer som är intresserade av mark som kolsänka.

Nu har SNS och NKJ samlat resultaten från seminarierna i fyra filmer:

Kolsänka del 1: vad vet vi egentligen om marken som kolsänka?

Kolsänka del 2: politiska utmaningar när det gäller kolinlagring i marken

Kolsänka del 3: visualiseringsmetoder och -modeller

Kolsänka del 4: mot framtiden

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Organizing a testbed – join the virtual meeting

Digitalisation plays a vital role in the rapid development of the Nordic and Baltic bioeconomy. Access to cutting edge platforms for development, so-called testbeds, where new digital knowledge and technology can be developed is fundamental.

Managing a testbed is however a complex task. To facilitate the development of new and existing testbeds, the Nordic Testbed Network aims to unite and strengthen testbeds aimed at supporting the digital transformation of the bioeconomy.

On November 18 (2021) the Nordic Testbed Network arranges a virtual meeting to help dig into the following topics:

Agenda

▪ Welcoming our new testbed members, Blaize Denfeld (SITES), Anda Ikauniece (LIAE), Andrius Sutnikas (AquaVIP), Jens Petter Wold (DigiFoods), Anta Sparinska (Latvian i-Garden)

▪ Keynote lecture: An inspiring example – Nordic Proof, Siri Stabel Olsen, Advisor Norway Health Tech and coordinator of Nordic Proof

▪ Panel discussion: Organising a testbed, Thordur Reynisson, Senior Adviser and Head of Program Nordic Innovation, Jonas Engström, researcher RISE Research Institutes of Sweden and coordinator of the testbed for digitalised agriculture, Carmen Galindo Rodriguez, project manager EIT Food

▪ Interactive session: all participants are invited to discuss and mingle

Sign up

Please sign up before November 4 at the latest – it’s fre of charge!

More information

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Towards a common Nordic management of the wild boar

Svensk text längre ner

With a joint, Nordic working group, the wild boar will be handled in a better way. Wild boar, as is well known, easily cross national borders, which makes the countries dependent on each other in the management of the animal.

 

 

Petter Kjellander, professor at the Department of Ecology, unit wildlife, at SLU, has coordinated the compilation of a report that NKJ just published: “Wild boar in the Nordic countries“.

– The Nordic Council of Ministers wants to know about the wild boar situation in the Nordic countries. We have had a look at the biology of the wild boar, but also which conflict areas and management policies exist regarding the wild boar in the different Nordic countries.

So, why is it important to have an overall Nordic picture of the wild boar situation? Well, the wild boars found in Sweden may not stay in Sweden, but can easily cross the border to Norway. With a common and fact-based overview of the situation, it could be easier to deal with problems and get a consensus on necessary and effective measures.

– But regarding this we are in a really difficult situation, says Petter Kjellander, emphasizing the proximity to both Germany, the Baltics and Russia, where there are wild boars that just as easy can cross national borders, and bring the dreaded African swine fever.

The fact that the situations look so different in the different Nordic countries is due to the fact that historically different political decisions have been made based on the different conditions the countries have had. Denmark protects the important pig industry from swine fever by keeping the wild boars from Germany out, in Sweden there is a debate on how the agriculture should be kept safe.

– In Sweden, it has been decided that the wild boar population will be halved in five years.

Sweden has by far the largest tribe in the Nordic countries with at least 300,000 animals, while Norway and Finland have around 1,500 and Denmark and Iceland none at all. With a joint working group, as the report suggests, there is a better chance for more efficient management of the Nordic wild boar population.

– The Swedish administrators could be in a better position to make tougher decisions if  the other Nordic countries are backing them up. Discussing hunting and other management methods will be easier together.

Download the full report (free of charge)

 

Petter Kjellander about the report:

Anders Rolfsson, viltansvarig LRF Skåne, about handling the wild boar as a farmer:

Swedish text

Mot en gemensam nordisk strategi för vildsvinet

Med ett gemensamt, nordiskt samråd kan vi hantera vildsvinen på ett bättre sätt. Vildsvin tar sig, som bekant, lätt över nationsgränserna, vilket gör länderna beroende av varandra i frågan.

 

Petter Kjellander, Professor vid Institutionen för ekologi, enheten viltekologi, på SLU, har samordnat sammanställandet av en rapport som NKJ just har publicerat: ”Vildsvin i de nordiska länderna”.

– Nordiska Ministerrådet vill veta hur vildsvinssituationen ser ut i de nordiska länderna. Vi har tittat på vildsvinens biologi, men också vilka konfliktområden och förvaltningspolicies som finns kring vildsvinen i de olika nordiska länderna.

Så, varför är det viktigt att ha en samlad nordisk bild av vildsvinsläget? Jo, vildsvinen som finns i Sverige kanske inte behagar stanna i Sverige, utan tar sig lätt över gränsen till Norge. Med en gemensam och faktabaserad bild av läget kan det bli lättare att hantera problem och få en samsyn på nödvändiga och verksamma åtgärder.

– Men där är vi verkligen i en svår situation, säger Petter Kjellander och pekar på närheten till både Tyskland, Baltikum och Ryssland, där det också finns vildsvin som har lika lätt att ta sig över nationsgränser och som kan bära på den fruktade Afrikanska svinpesten.

Att situationerna ser så olika ut i de olika nordiska länderna beror på att man historiskt har fattat helt olika politiska beslut utifrån de olika förutsättningar som man har haft. Danmark skyddar sin stora grisindustri från svinpesten genom att hålla ute vildsvinen från Tyskland, Sverige har en debatt om hur böndernas grödor ska hållas skadefria.

– I Sverige har det fattats beslut om att vildsvinsstammen ska halveras på fem år.

Sverige har den absolut i särklass största stammen i Norden med minst 300 000 djur, medan Norge och Finland har runt 1 500 och Danmark och Island inga alls. Med ett gemensamt samråd, som rapporten föreslår, finns chans till en effektivare förvaltning av den nordiska vildsvinsstammen.

– Det hade kunnat hjälpa de svenska förvaltarna att fatta tuffare beslut om de har de andra nordiska länderna i ryggen. Det kan också bli lättare i frågor som jakttryck och andra sätt att hantera stammen om vi pratar med en mun i stället för att streta åt olika håll.

Ladda ner rapporten (gratis)

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The epidemiology of pathogenes on apples in focus

Symtoms and defence reactions were in focus of the first network meeting of the NKJ-funded Nordic Apple Network May 18-19, 2021.

 

 

First on the agenda was an update on the current situation of fruit quality after storage and storage losses, presented by the representatives from the industry from all four participating countries. This update was followed by presentations of the ongoing research on storage conditions, storage disorders and storage diseases.

The presentations were accompanied by fruitful discussions and exchange of knowledge, regarding current problems as well as research needs, with emphasis on fruit quality loss, storage rots and physiological decay. Special attention was given to the diversity of the disease- and disorder symptoms, pathogens and their epidemiology and to the diversity of the defence reactions among cultivars. The participants stressed the importance of good pre-harvest practices for reducing post-harvest losses. Future collaborations, funding opportunities and the contents of the next workshop were also discussed. 

The meeting was hosted by SLU and took place online where 35 participants, representing research, growers, advisory services, packing houses and authorities exchanged their knowledge and experiences.

The network unites participants from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, and addresses the issue of post-harvest losses. The focus is on how to achieve improved plant health via better knowledge of epidemiology, novel monitoring tools, knowledge of cultivar pre- and postharvest physiology, disease resistance, and cultivation practices.

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Reindeer and forestry – new film focuses on solutions

Reindeer herding has a long history in Sápmi, the northernmost region of Norway, Sweden and Finland. But the reindeer husbandry is under pressure.

 

Svensk text längre ner på sidan

Mining, hydropower dams, windmills, roads, tourism and not least forestry have all made old migration routes, resting places and pastureland for reindeer herders decrease or become damaged.

The film Reindeer and forestry in the Nordic countries focus on the options to solve potential conflicts between reindeer herding and forestry. We meet reindeer owners and forestry servants in northern Norway (Alta), Finland (Ivalo) and Sweden (Jokkmokk and Sveg). They discuss the problems and how they can be overcome with dialogue and concern.

The first half of the film gives an overview and history of reindeer herding in the Nordic countries, together with snapshots from Norway and Finland.

The second half describes (from Sweden) active measures that the forestry can do to reduce the impact on lichen availability, the main fodder for the reindeer. Examples are: more lenient site preparation, thin the forest to help lichens and accessibility, avoid lodgepole pine in sensitive areas, leave seed trees and tree groups and use selective cutting in old spruce forests.

The main message of the film is that forestry and reindeer herding will continue to exist side by side, but in order to do so, dialogue and mutual respect is necessary.

The 20 minute long film is a co-production from Heurgren Film and Silvinformation, made with support from Nordic Forest Research (SNS) and Nordic Agri Research (NKJ).

 

 

 

Renar och skogsbruk – ny film fokuserar på lösningar

Renskötseln har en lång historia i Sápmi, den nordligaste delen av Norge, Sverige och Finland. Men renhållningen är under press.

 

Gruvdrift, vattenkraftsdammar, vindkraftverk, vägar, turism och inte minst skogsbruk har gjort att gamla flyttvägar, viloplatser och betesmark minskat eller skadats.

Filmen Ren och skogsbruk i de nordiska länderna fokuserar på lösningar på potentiella konflikter mellan renskötsel och skogsbruk. Vi träffar renägare och skogsbrukare i norra Norge (Alta), Finland (Ivalo) och Sverige (Jokkmokk och Sveg). De diskuterar problemen och hur dessa kan övervinnas genom dialog och engagemang.

Den första halvan av filmen ger historik och översikt över renskötseln i de nordiska länderna, plus några ögonblicksbilder från Norge och Finland.

Andra halvan beskriver (från Sverige) aktiva åtgärder som skogsbruket kan vidta för att minska påverkan på tillgången på lav, det huvudsakliga fodret för renen. Exempel är mer skonsam markberedning, gallring av skogen för att hjälpa lavar och tillgängligheten till skogen, lämna fröträd och grupper av träd och använd selektiv beskärning i gamla granskogar.

Filmens huvudbudskap är att skogsbruk och renskötsel kommer att fortsätta att existera sida vid sida, men för att göra det krävs dialog och ömsesidig respekt.

Den 20 minuter långa filmen är en samproduktion från Heurgren Film and Silvinformation, gjord med stöd från Nordic Forest Research (SNS) och Nordic Agri Research (NKJ).

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BioEquality forum 1: Female role models for gender balance

Discussion forum 1 of 3 in the BioEquality series

Role models for a gender balanced digital bioeconomy 

One of the action points suggested in the report Redefining digital bioeconomy to make the digital bioeconomy more gender equal is to increase the number of female role models and thereby diversify the masculine image, creating more inclusiveness. This type of action aims to serve to set an example and encourage women to seek education related to, and employment in, the digital bioeconomy. This alone is not enough considering that the very structures of bioeconomy and tech industries remain masculine, however it is an important stepping stone in increasing the number of females in the sector. 

This discussion forum is part of a series aiming to open up for discussions on how the education of young academics can integrate the gender perspective into the meeting between digitalisation and bioeconomy. The discussion forums are initiated and financed by Nordic Forest Research, Nordic Agri Research and the Nordic Council of Ministers. 

When: 26th of May, 10.00-11.30 CET 
To solve any technical problems, please log in to the discussion forum no later than 09.55 

Where: Online via Zoom 
Participants will be provided with a link to the discussion forum on Monday 24th of May 

RSVP: 19th of May to

Agenda

• Welcome and introduction 

• Three inspirational speeches – One teacher, one student and one female role model share their point of view on female role models 

• Group discussions on who are the role models for young women – How is one classified as a role model? Do they have to be women? Is it women far ahead in their careers, that have taken the same path as them, that have the same educational background? 

• Brainstorming ideas on how role models can take a more active role at universities – 

Examples could involve inviting role models to inspirational lectures in courses, ask them to mentor students etc. 

• Reflections in larger group 

• Closing remarks 

Welcome!

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BioEquality forum 2: Mentorship empowers the young females

Discussion forum 2 of 3 in the BioEquality series

Networks and mentorship programs to empower young professionals in the digital bioeconomy

Two of the action points suggested in the report Redefining digital bioeconomy to make the digital bioeconomy more gender equal are mentorship programs and networks. Mentorship programs can empower young female graduates to pursue careers in the digital bioeconomy. Setting up mentorship programs is however associated with challenges and in need of reflective thinking. It important to remember is that the aim is not change women to be “better” or “more like men”, but rather for men and women to be equals. Furthermore, networks for young professionals and students in the bioeconomy are valuable for strengthening connections, facilitating discussions, and increasing inclusive involvement for students and workers. Peer support is important in succeeding in male dominated industries, where the peer support can come from both men and women. 

This discussion forum is part of a series of aiming to open up for discussions on how the education of young academics can integrate the gender perspective into the meeting between digitalisation and bioeconomy. The discussion forums are initiated and financed by Nordic Forest Research, Nordic Agri Research and the Nordic Council of Ministers. 

When: 2th of June, 10.00-11.30 CET 
To solve any technical problems, please log in to the discussion forum no later than 09.55 

Where: Online via Zoom 
Participants will be provided with a link to the discussion forum on Monday 31st of May 

RSVP: 26th of May to  

Agenda 

• Welcome and introduction 

• Three inspirational speeches – One teacher, one student and one network member share their point of view on networks and mentorship programs 

• Group discussions on what role existing networks and mentorship programs have – How do employer female networks work and how do they differ from third party networks? What do mentorship programs 

• Brainstorming ideas on how networks and mentorship programs can take a more active role at universities 

• Reflections in larger group 

• Closing remarks 

Welcome! 

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BioEquality 3: Tools for gender balance in the digital bioeconomy

Discussion forum 3 of 3 in the BioEquality series

Tools to incorporate gender perspectives in university courses on digital bioeconomy 

One of the action points suggested in the report Redefining digital bioeconomy to make the digital bioeconomy more gender equal is to develop tools and methods to incorporate this topic in bioeconomy-related university education. The aim being to facilitate a discussion on how gendered structures impact men and women and their opportunities within the fields of digital bioeconomy and thereby create a foundation for change. 

This discussion forum is part of a series of aiming to open up for discussions on how the education of young academics can integrate the gender perspective into the meeting between digitalisation and bioeconomy. The discussion forums are initiated and financed by Nordic Forest Research, Nordic Agri Research and the Nordic Council of Ministers. 

When: 9th of June, 10.00-11.30 CET 
To solve any technical problems, please log in to the discussion forum no later than 09.55 

Where: Online via Zoom 
Participants will be provided with a link to the discussion forum on Monday 7th of June 

RSVP: 2nd of June to  

Agenda

• Welcome and introduction 

• Three inspirational speeches – Student and university representatives share their point of view on gender perspectives in university courses 

• Group discussions on gender perspectives in university courses on digital bioeconomy –What courses on digital bioeconomy are there? What courses should contain gender perspectives? 

• Brainstorming ideas on how to incorporate gender perspectives at universities – Who is responsible for doing this? Who should we target? What is the best format for incorporating gender perspectives in university courses? Are there examples from other university programs we can get inspiration from? 

• Reflections in larger group 

• Closing remarks 

Welcome! 

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Join us on the way to a gender balanced bioeconomy

Welcome to three discussion forums on the topic of

Gender perspectives in the digital bioeconomy

We will address the gender imbalance in the increasingly digitalized bioeconomy. The forums are a part of the project Bioequality (The digital bioeconomy – a method handbook for an equal Nordic bioeconomy) and financed by Nordic Forest Research, Nordic Agri Research and Nordic Information on Gender.

 

SAVE THE DATES:

• Role models for a gender balanced digital bioeconomy
26th of May, 10:00-11:30 CET
Registration and questions: send an email to by the 19th of May

• Networks and mentorship programs to empower young professionals in the digital bioeconomy
2nd of June, 10:00-11:30 CET

• Tools to incorporate gender perspectives in university courses on digital bioeconomy
9th of June, 10:00-11:30 CET

 

Where: Online via Zoom, link will be sent to registered participants one day in advance of the discussion forums

Registration and questions: send an email to

 

Read more about the BioEquality network and the report (below)

Download the report from BioEquality network, basis for discussions

 

 

 

Interview about the report

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Soil as a carbon sink: welcome to participate in knowledge exchange

SAVE THE DATES!

Welcome to 3 webinars during the spring:
Soil as a Carbon Sink

These webinars aim to stimulate knowledge exchange between Nordic actors interested in soil as a carbon sink. They are initiated and financed by Nordic Forest Research, Nordic Agri Research and the Nordic Council of Ministers’ working group for climate and air. We will discuss soil as a carbon sink with experts from Carbon Action, Finnish Meteorological Institute, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SEGES, and Svensk kolinlagring – just to mention a few.  

Policy challenges with regards to soil carbon sequestration 27th of April , 10.00-11.30 CET
Registration: Simplesignup – soil as a carbon sink before April 20
Carbon sequestration in soil relates to a range of different perspectives and policy areas, such as biodiversity, production economics, and climate aspects. This complexity creates challenges in terms of managing trade-offs and setting effective policies for tomorrow’s sustainable soil management. In this seminar we will discuss different perspectives, how policymakers can navigate among potential goal conflicts, what research says about these potential goal conflicts, what the main challenges are, and what learnings or “best practice” that can be shared.

Speakers:

  • EU policy on carbon sequestration in forestry and land use
    Christian Holzleitner, Head of unit, Land Use and Finance for Innovation, European Commission
  • Creating an effective transition to climate neutrality – the role of policy
    Hanna Mattila, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Finland
  • Striving to protect and increase soil carbon while balancing competing societal interests: Examples from Norway
    Adam O’Toole, Researcher, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research

 

Visualisation methods and models for soil carbon sequestration 4th of May, 10.00-11.30 CET
Registration: Simplesignup – soil as a carbon sink
To reap the benefits from carbon sequestration in soil it is essential to calculate and communicate the effects of different carbon capture activities. In this seminar we will discuss different methods and models to calculate and communicate these activities. We will engage in question such as “Which methods and models exists?”, “What are their advantages and disadvantages?”, “What development is needed to increase their efficiency and accuracy?”, and “How user friendly are they?”. 

Speakers:

  • Title coming
    Dr Johan Stendahl, Researcher, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Head of Swedish Forest Soil Inventory
  • Carbon Action Field Observatory – illustrating carbon farming effects on farms
    Prof Jari Liski, Finnish Meteorological Institute, responsible Field Observatory
  • Carbon modelling for Danish farms
    Søren Kolind Hvid, Senior specialist, Danish Agriculture & Food Council F.m.b.A. SEGES

 

Digital knowledge centres for soil carbon sequestration 11th of May, 10.00-11.30 CET
Registration: Simplesignup – soil as a carbon sink
Soil as a carbon sink is of interest to a wide range of stakeholders and focus point for multiple initiatives. In addition, knowledge is developing fast. This creates a complex ecosystem of actors, organisations, and knowledge which makes it challenging to comprehend what is ongoing and by whom. In this seminar we will discuss how to facilitate increased information sharing and the potential need for digital spaces for knowledge transfer.

Speakers: 

  • How to bridge model-data integration to decision-relevant time frames
    Dr Istem Fer, Senior researcher, Carbon Cycle Research Group, Finnish Meteorological Institute
  • Nordic going global – experiences from soil carbon collaborations
    Dr Laura Höijer, Content Director, Baltic Sea Action Group carbonaction.org
  • Unlocking the potential of carbon farming
    Lova Brodin, CEO MiljöMatematik/Svensk Kolinlagring kolinlagring.se

 

Where: Online via Zoom, link will be sent to registered participants

Registration: Simplesignup – soil as a carbon sink

Questions: Please contact Lovisa Torfgård: