Southernmost Part Of Norway Research Articles

Human seroprevalence of antibodies to tick-borne microbes in southern Norway

The tick Ixodes ricinus is widespread along the coastline of southern Norway, but data on human exposure to tick-borne microbes are scarce. We aimed to assess the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies to various tick-borne microbes in the general adult population living in a Norwegian municipality where ticks are abundant. Søgne is a coastline municipality in the southernmost part of Norway, and has a high density of ticks. All individuals aged 18-69 years with residential address in Søgne municipality (n = 7424) were invited to give a blood sample and answer a questionnaire. Blood samples from 3568 individuals were available for analysis. All samples were analyzed for IgG antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl), and around 1500 samples for IgG antibodies to other tick-borne microbes. Serum IgG antibodies to Bbsl were present in 22.0% (785/3568) of the tested samples, tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in 3.1% (45/1453), Anaplasma phagocytophilum in 11.0% (159/1452), Babesia microti in 2.1% (33/1537), Bartonella henselae/B. quintana in 0.1% (2/1451) and Rickettsia helvetica/R. conorii in 4.2% (60/1445). Serum IgG antibodies to A. phagocytophilum and R. helvetica/R. conorii were significantly more prevalent (p = 0.010 and p = 0.016, respectively) among individuals with serum IgG antibodies to Bbsl than among individuals without. In conclusion, our study showed a high exposure to Bbsl in the general adult population living in a coastline municipality in the southernmost part of Norway. The population is also exposed to A. phagocytophilum, R. helvetica/R. conorii, B. microti and TBEV, but very rarely B. henselae/B. quintana.

From Sin to a Gift from God: Constructions of Change in Conservative Christian Organizations

The present article is based on several empirical studies of religious organizations with a conservative self-understanding coping with modernity in liberal, pluralist societies. In such organizations, religiously relevant change will often be seen as a problem in itself. The article discusses the relationship between changes in practices and theological legitimations of changes. Often changes in social practice precede theological reflections. The article also presents some strategies for legitimating changes. While the discussion is partly general, it is based on empirical studies of religious changes in the southernmost part of Norway, called Agder, traditionally a stronghold of Christian, low-church, pietistic movements.

Nitrogen fertilization to broccoli cultivars at different planting times: Yield and nitrogen use

The effects of three nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates (0, 120, and 240 kg N ha−1) and two planting times (May or late June/July) on yield and N use of the early cultivar ‘Milady’ and the late cultivar ‘Marathon’ of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) were investigated on three silty loam soils varying in soil mineral N (Nmin) in the southernmost part of Norway during 1999 and 2001. In all crops receiving fertilizer, rapid uptake of N started about three weeks after planting. The relative yield of broccoli heads increased with increasing soil available N (fertilizer N plus Nmin) at planting to 200–250 kg N ha−1 and then levelled off. The two lower fertilizer rates were more restrictive to yields in early-planted than in late-planted crops. A general increase in harvest index with increasing N rate reflected a stronger effect of N on the head yield than on the total above ground biomass production. The apparent recovery of fertilizer N decreased with increasing N rate and was on average 74% in total above ground biomass and 25% in broccoli heads. Despite a higher N uptake, the average soil mineral N level at harvest increased from 12 kg N ha−1 on unfertilized plots to 27 and 78 kg N ha−1 on plots receiving 120 and 240 kg N ha−1, respectively; this increase was stronger in early than in late plantings and stronger in ‘Milady’ than in ‘Marathon’. The yield of broccoli heads was similar in the two cultivars, but ‘Milady’ had a lower total biomass production and thus a higher harvest index, presumably due to earlier head initiation.

Sediment content of metals before and after lake water liming

Long-term liming (1980–1991) of an acidified lake (Lake Terjevann) in the southernmost part of Norway, show an increased accumulation of Al, Fe, Mn, Cd, Cu, Ni, Zn in the sediments which clearly corresponds with the liming history. The increased precipitation of Al, Fe and Mn are ascribed to extended formation of oxyhydroxides due to increased pH after introduction of the lime. Statistically significant correlations indicate that Cu, Ni and Zn are coprecipitated with both Al and Fe oxyhydroxides while Cd is coprecipitated primarily with Fe oxyhydroxides both previous to and after lake water liming.

OSTEOPOROSIS, BONE MINERALIZATION, AND STATUS OF SELECTED TRACE ELEMENTS IN TWO POPULATIONS OF MOOSE CALVES IN NORWAY

This study was conducted to clarify the etiology of a high frequency of bone fractures and osteoporosis in the moose (Alces alces) population in southern Norway. Liver samples, both metacarpi, and carcass data were collected from 21 and 22 moose calves shot in 1994 in Birkenes (southern Norway), and Naerøy (central Norway), respectively. The liver samples were analyzed for copper, manganese, zinc, cobalt, chromium, molybdenum, and selenium. Bone samples were subject to histologic, radiologic, and chemical examinations. Three of the calves from Birkenes and one calf from Naerøy showed histologic and radiologic evidence of generalized osteoporosis consistent with osteoporosis due to starvation. The calves with osteoporosis had the lowest carcass weights and radio-opacities recorded. There was a positive correlation between carcass weight and bone radio-opacity. Density, ash content, phosphorus, and calcium contents and phosphorous/calcium ratio in bone samples, as well as hepatic trace element status, were within the normal range for all calves in both populations. Two of the osteoporotic calves, were reported to have been orphaned. Our results indicate that the high frequency of bone fractures reported in moose in southern Norway is not associated with regional differences in trace element status or bone mineral balance. We propose that the occurrence of osteoporosis in moose calves in Birkenes may have resulted from inadequate nutrition following general overcrowding and high pressure on feed resources in the southernmost part of Norway.

Occurrence of the thalassinidCallianassa Subterranea(Montagu) (Crustacea, Decapoda) on the coast of Southern Norway

Abstract During the winter 1988-89 there was extensive renewal of water in many of the threshold fjords in the southernmost part of Norway. A result of this was that water containing hydrogen sulphide from the deepest parts of the fjords was raised close to the surface, killing many fish and bottom organisms. While diving in one of the fjords, Trysfjorden, Vest-Agder county (58°05'N, 07°41'E), a number of dead Callianassa subterranea (MONTAGU) were observed on the bottom between 5–9 m depth. Many of the specimens were ovigerous females. Earlier, only some records of juvenile specimens have been reported from Southern Norway.

New light on the Holocene shore displacement curve on Lista, the southernmost part of Norway

The aim of this study was to determine and present the Holocene shore displacement on Lista based on material obtained with a Hiller sampler by Professor Ulf Hafsten during the period 1955–1957 and in 1966. A shore displacement curve can serve as a tool in the localization of prehistoric sites and can give a better understanding of both rapid and long–term processes within the landscape. Small fluctuations in sea level may cause dramatic changes in the landscape, particularly in the low–lying Listalandet. This article is part of a comprehensive pollenanalytical study of the southernmost coast region of Norway initiated by Ulf Hafsten in 1955 (Hafsten 1979, 1983a, b). Hafsten's principal objective was to trace the late Pleistocene shore displacement from Lista to Kristiansand (Hafsten pers. comm. in Nydal 1962).

Vegetation history and human impact during the last 11 500 years at Lista, the southernmost part of Norway. Based primarily on Professor Ulf Hafsten's material and diary from 1955–1957

Pollen analysis has been carried out on cores from three basins from the Lista area, Vest-Agder, southern Norway. One of the basins dates back to 11 500 BP. During the Late Weichselian, vegetation and soil cover were poorly developed on the low-lying Listalandet, due to the unfavourable climate and the area being affected by sea level fluctuations. The Holocene can be biostratigraphically divided into five local PAZs. The vegetational succession during the first 5000 years was almost identical with the known succession from the South Scandinavian nemoral region. Modest forest clearance is suggested throughout the Early and Middle Neolithic periods. Agricultural activity based on both cereal cultivation and animal husbandry is indicated to 5200 BP. A slow deforestation took place onwards, parallel to the development of Calluna heath and the expansion of pastoral and arable farming. During the Iron Age, a complete agrarian landscape developed.

Fission Track Analysis, Rift Shoulder Uplift, and Tectonic Modeling of the Norwegian Continental Margin

Apatite fission track analysis from southern Norway and Sweden, across the Permian Carboniferous Oslo rift, are presented and discussed in relation to different rifting scenarios. Vertical and horizontal apatite fission tack profiles in middle and southern Norway unravel the post-Carboniferous history of the Fennoscandian shield. Fission track apatite ages range from 240 Ma in the south to 160 Ma in the north, and according to spontaneous fission track length measurements, they must be interpreted as mixed ages, indicating minor amounts of Paleozoic-Mesozoic sedimentary cover. Apatite fission track length and age modeling suggest rapid cooling and uplift in the Tertiary for the southernmost part of Norway, suggesting a differential uplift of the basement. the obtained data are important for the reconstruction of burial and thermal histories of Cenozoic sedimentary basins of the Norwegian continental margin in the northern North Sea, where diverse rifting events, intraplate stress regimes, and inversion tectonics are involved. Fission track analysis puts constraints on tectonic modeling of uplift of rift flanks and the Norwegian continental margin and yields information for these assessment of hydrocarbon potentials of the sedimentary basins.

Acid deposition and effects in Nordic Europe. Damage to fish populations in Scandinavia continue to apace

Although the decline in fish populations due to acidicwater in Norway started as early as in the 1920's the most rapid losses appeared during the 1960–70's. Until 1978, the populations of Atlantic salmon had disappeared from the southernmost part of Norway, and in these areas, more than half of the brown trout populations had been lost. Today, in spite of no increase in acid depositions, the fishery problems seems to continue at the same speed. Data based on interviews of the local fish authority shows that lakes still holding a fish population in the late 70's, have experienced a 30% loss of brown trout populations and a 12% loss of perch in the period 1978–1983. This trend have been confirmed by testfishing in lake systems having long data series. Salmon rivers on the western coast of Norway have experienced several episodes of fish kills due to rapid changes in water quality. These fish kills have mainly affected smolts of Atlantic salmon. Spawning migrating salmon on entering their acidified home river have also been affected. In Sweden, several salmon populations along the western coast have been lost due to acidification with no positive trends so far in the 1980's. Areas in central Sweden and in some high mountain areas are still experiencing a continuous and increasing acidification with detrimental effects on invertebrates and fish. In Finland, an increase in acidic deposition during the last decades have occurred, leading to acidification in the most sensitive freshwater systems. Although some acidified freshwater lakes are reported to have lost their fish stocks, few data on fish population effects are available.

Application of meteorological data to agroclimatological mapping

During the years 1969–72 a comprehensive agroclimatic survery was carried out in Aust-Agder, a county of approximately 9000 km2 in the southernmost part of Norway. Meteorological data were collected from some 70 stations grouped in 11 model locations. In the analysis the agricultural purposes behind the survey are born in mind and importance is attached to simple and direct methods that will allow extrapolations within the region with sufficient confidence. The geographical variations in growth climate is expressed by average radiation and temperature conditions, and by estimates of plant-available soil moisture.

Problems relating to the early Mesolithic settlement of Southern Norway

The former status of the Mesolithic research in Southern Norway is presented with an addition of the latest investigation results from the highlands and the west coast. It is concluded that the earliest N⊘stvet elements in West Norway cannot be later than 5 600–6 100 BC, that the earliest Fosna elements cannot be later than from the Preboreal Period, and that there were settlement possibilities in South and West Norway in the Aller⊘d Period, possibly also in the B⊘iling Period. There ate typological, as well as environmental data suggesting an earlier settlement in South and West Norway than in East Norway. A migration on the ice across the North Sea, from the former North Sea Continent to the southernmost part of Norway is proposed as the earliest migration path to Southern Norway. The ‘tanged point traditions’ of the Northwest European plains survived in Norway, especially in the highland areas, for several thousand years after they disappeared from the Continent. Differences in the tool kits between th...

A Marine Transgression of Boreal Age in the Southernmost Part of Norway

IN the summer of 1956 the Quaternary history of a number of trough-shaped basins was investigated in the area between Lindesnes and Kristiansand. In one such basin, at Dostad in the innermost part of Hartmarkfjord (lat. 58° 02′N., long. 7° 38′ E.), a mire was found at a depth of about 1.5 m., lying between layers of marine sediments (Fig. 1). The basin is very well sheltered from the sea by, among other things, a rock threshold which is about 2 m. above present sea-level. The mire is 1.5–1.7 m. thick.