As global biodiversity continues to decline, a new international study published in Nature presents a powerful framework for identifying the “missing” species from ecosystems, species that could exist in a habitat but are currently absent. Known as dark diversity, these absent species form an invisible frontier of ecological potential, offering a tool to better understand habitat degradation and inform conservation priorities.

The wild reindeer in Norway no longer use the calving grounds surrounding the public tourist cabin Pyttbua. Should the Government allow the cabin to be upgraded—or should tourism in the area rather be limited? The Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) has simulated the potential consequences.

As human activity increasingly pressures ecosystems, biodiversity offsetting—balancing losses in one area with gains elsewhere—has become a growing tool for conservation, although with significant challenges. A new paper by NINA experts explores how integrating ecosystem accounting can enhance biodiversity offsetting, offering a promising approach to make conservation efforts more effective and transparent.

As Europe strives for a sustainable energy future, the ambitious EU funded initiative ReHydro are underway to improve energy production of existing hydropower plants. By integrating new technologies and enhancing environmental conditions, the project will ensure that hydropower continues to play a key role in the region’s energy landscape.

The first quantitative assessment of microplastics in seabird faeces in Northern Europe shows presence of microplastics in European shag (Gulosus aristotelis) chicks. This provides valuable baseline information and confirms that minimal-invasive sampling of faeces for plastic monitoring in seabirds is possible.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework headline indicator “Services Provided by Ecosystems (B.1)” has been tested using data from six countries and regions including Norway. Working on behalf of the CBD AHTEG on indicators, the results are now published.

In September, 53 leading experts from 3 continents met to share and build expertise on Sphagnum, the world’s most important peat building plant genus, and gain momentum for global conservation and restoration efforts.

The protected and slow-growing cold-water corals in the fjords of Norway are entangled in fishing gear. Worrying, say experts, as more or less all areas are impacted by fishing.

With data from Norway, Brazil, Taiwan and Costa Rica, a team of researchers show that large-scale monitoring of avian vocalization can deliver immediate applied impact. The results are now published in PNAS.

Following the Chernobyl accident in 1986, large areas of northern Europe were exposed to radioactive caesium, detrimental to both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Recent results from 30 years of monitoring in the mountain areas of Norway show steep declines in radiocaesium – an important find when evaluating potential impact on wildlife and human health. 

From 17-21 June, 85 transdisciplinary experts from 31 countries across Europe meet to discuss how to improve the uptake of scientific knowledge on ecosystem services by decision-makers in business and in policy. 

A new tool uses small crustaceans to indicate levels of nutrients in freshwater. Valuable for monitoring impacts from agriculture, forestry, urbanisation, and development activities.

Groundbreaking study uses seabirds as indicators of mercury presence through the North-Atlantic Arctic. Results of grave importance for Arctic communities as concentrations increase from the Barents Sea to the East coast of Canada.

Researchers present a novel overview of ecosystem services assessment approaches related to nature-based tourism, with specific focus on monetary valuation methods. An important contribution towards development of harmonized methodologies, and uptake of ecosystem services information in planning and development processes. 

Experts have now assessed all 24 wild reindeer areas in Norway. Only one is green, indicating good ecological conditions for wild reindeer. The largest challenges are apparent, but can new measures improve the bleak outlook for this important species?  

NINA assesses status and implementation gaps of performance standards and no net loss commitments, in relation to energy sector developments in Norway.  

Researchers investigate the cumulative impacts of oil pollution, ocean warming, and coastal freshening on the feeding of Arctic copepods. The copepods' sensitivity to crude oil and climate change can potentially have large-scale impacts on the Arctic marine food web. 

Trends in seabird numbers are the results of what their populations have been subjected to, but not a very accurate indicator of their present status. Researchers have now developed and presented a new indicator for population status based on data for their productivity. The approach may be the start of a more extensive and precise method for assessing the status of seabirds and the marine ecosystems they depend on.

China has ambitions to better safeguard nature in light of ongoing climate change. Researchers from NINA collaborate with Chinese partners in new project.

NINA researchers play a central role in restoring old mining landscapes in Svalbard, Norway. As of 2024, the restoration is complete.