Metabolomic phenotyping of a cloned pig model

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pigs are widely used as models for human physiological changes in intervention studies, because of the close resemblance between human and porcine physiology and the high degree of experimental control when using an animal model. Cloned animals have, in principle, identical genotypes and possibly also phenotypes and this offer an extra level of experimental control which could possibly make them a desirable tool for intervention studies. Therefore, in the present study, we address how phenotype and phenotypic variation is affected by cloning, through comparison of cloned pigs and normal outbred pigs.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The metabolic phenotype of cloned pigs (n = 5) was for the first time elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomic analysis of multiple bio-fluids including plasma, bile and urine. The metabolic phenotype of the cloned pigs was compared with normal outbred pigs (n = 6) by multivariate data analysis, which revealed differences in the metabolic phenotypes. Plasma lactate was higher for cloned vs control pigs, while multiple metabolites were altered in the bile. However a lower inter-individual variability for cloned pigs compared with control pigs could not be established.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>From the present study we conclude that cloned and normal outbred pigs are phenotypically different. However, it cannot be concluded that the use of cloned animals will reduce the inter-individual variation in intervention studies, though this is based on a limited number of animals.</p

PERANAN PELUKIS ADE MOELYANA DALAM MENGEMBANGKAN SENI LUKIS DARI LIMBAH PELEPAH PISANG DI CIMAHI: (Kajian historis dari tahun 1969-2010)

Skripsi ini berjudul “Peranan Pelukis Ade Moelyana Dalam Mengembangkan Seni Lukis Pelepah Pisang di Cimahi Kajian Historis Tahun 1969-2010”. Permasalahan pokok yang dikaji dalam skripsi ini adalah bagaimana perkembangan seni lukis dari limbah pelepah pisang di Cimahi dari tahun 1969-2010 dan keterkaitannya dengan potensi ekonomi dari seni lukis pelepah pisang yang terabaikan. Metode yang digunakan adalah metode historis yang melalui empat tahap yaitu pengumpulan sumber lisan maupun sumber tertulis, kritik, interpretasi, dan historiografi. Untuk memperdalam analisis, penulis menggunakan pendekatan interdisipliner melalui kajian ilmu sosial dan ilmu ekonomi dengan memakai konsep-konsep seperti interaksi sosial, distribusi, ekonomi kreatif, kewirausahaan, dll. Teknik penelitian yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah dengan menggunakan teknik wawancara. Hal ini dilakukan karena terbatasnya sumber tertulis yang mengkaji secara langsung mengenai permasalahan di atas. Berdasarkan hasil temuan di lapangan, seni lukis dari limbah pelepah pisang ini telah ada sejak tahun 1969. Seni lukis ini merupakan seni lukis yang unik karena menggunakan limbah dari pelepah pisang. Pada awal perkembangannya seni lukis ini tidak serta merta dapat diterima oleh masyarakat sekitar, dan barulah pada tahun 2002 seni lukis dari limbah pelepah pisang ini mengalami puncak perkembangan. Pasalnya seni lukis ini tidak hanya dipasarkan di Cimahi saja, melainkan sampai ke mancanegara. Seni lukis dari limbah pelepah pisang ini dapat dijadikan sebagai sektor ekonomi kreatif dan dapat dijadikan sebagai lahan lapangan pekerjaan. Banyak upaya yang dilakukan oleh pelukis untuk mengembangkan seni lukis dari limbah pelepah pisang, selain itu pula pemerintah turut serta dalam mengembangkan seni lukis pelepah pisang. Kata kunci : Seni Lukis Pelepah Pisang, Ekonomi Kreatif, Pemasaran This skripsi titled Ade Moelyama role in developing the art painting of wasted banana leaves in Cimahi of historical studies from 1969 to 2010. The main issue studied in this skripsi was “How Development Art Painting of Wasted Banana Leaves in Cimahi from 1969 to 2010 and linkages with economic potential of art painting of banana leaves neglected. The method used is the historical method through four phases of heuristics, criticism, interpretation and historiography. To deepen the analysis, the author use the approach interdisciplinary through the study of social and economic by using concepts such as social interaction, distribution, creative economy, entrepreneurship, and other. A research technique used in this research is to use interview techniques. This is done because of the limited resources that examines written directly on the above problems. Based on the research results, the art painting of wasted banana leaves has existed since 1969. This painting is a painting that is unique because it uses waste form banan leaves. In the early development of art is not necessarily acceptable to the local community, and then in 2002 the art painting of wasted banana leaves is experiencing the peak development. This is because not only do marketing painting around Cimahi but abroad as well. Painting of wasted banana stalks can be used as a creative economic sector and creates jobs. Lack of awareness of the various parties to make this painting became dormant. Many attempts were made by the painter to develop the art of waste banana leaves, in addition the goverment also participated in the development the art of painting banana leaves. Keywords : Art Painting of Banana Leaves, Creative Economy, Marketin

”Pre- and post-construction studies of conflicts between birds and wind turbines in coastal Norway" (BirdWind). Progress Report 2009

From 2007 inclusive, NINA has received economic support for research on wind power and birds from the Norwegian Research Council (NFR) through the RENERGI-programme. The project is named Pre- and post-construction studies of conflicts between birds and wind turbines in coastal Norway (BirdWind). BirdWind is approaching its finalisation; with 2010 as the last ordinary year where data-collecting activities takes place. In 2009 the project was significantly strengthened through a new PhD-position funded by Statkraft and NINA. The position is held for four years, and the overall aim of the work conducted by the PhD-student is to model the future white-tailed eagle (WTE) population development based on reproduction and mortality data. Weekly searches with dogs for birds killed within the wind-power plant have been carried out throughout the year; in general searches are conducted every 7 days (plus or minus one day). 25 ‘primary turbines’ are selected and searched together with one of two dogs. A full search of all turbines is performed at larger intervals. In 2009 (up to December 1) 31 specimens of at least 8 species have been re-corded. The most frequent victims are willow ptarmigan and WTE with 10 and 7 carcasses, re-spectively. Of waders 3 common snipes have been recorded. Five carcasses were recorded of hooded crow, and single carcasses of parrot crossbill, northern wheatear, teal and mallard. Some records from earlier years have been revised as collision victims or not. Also in 2009 censuses for willow ptarmigan have been carried out in spring and autumn on Smøla and Hitra. The preliminary results do not indicate any obvious differences between the two areas, but autumn density in the wind-power plant area seems to be more stable compared to the control area. Interestingly the higher density within the wind-power plant area in autumn is evened out in spring each year, so also in spring 2009. To obtain data on habitat selection, movements, collision risks, survival of eggs, chicks and adults and general population dynamic parameters, willow ptarmigan specimen have been radio-tagged in 2008-2009. The activities regarding breeding waders and small birds (mainly passerines) have this year focused on the EIA-activities on Hitra in connection to the planned extension of the existing power plant on Hitra I; the Hitra II Wind-Power Plant. Since 2003, 50 nestlings of white-tailed eagle have been equipped with satellite transmitters. In 2009, eight WTE nestlings were tagged, six with solar-powered and two with battery-powered transmit-ters. One was tagged within the wind-power plant, the others in close vicinity of it. The solar-powered transmitters used in 2009 were programmed to give one position per hour during sum-mer in order to have finer resolution of movements for risk-modelling purposes. During winter less frequent downloading is scheduled, due to low light and poor battery-charging. One of the tagged nestlings was found killed by a turbine October 7. We have continued to collect feathers from ac-tive nests and chicks also in 2009, as well as from eagles killed in collisions with wind turbines. DNA-analyses from bones of six eagles killed by electrocution on power-line pylons on Smøla will also be included. For increased efficiency in the laboratory, and to streamline the production of DNA-data, the use of an extraction robot has been implemented. All WTE nest sites on Smøla were surveyed during the summer. Territorial activity, identified by either moulted adult feathers, chicks in the nest or fresh nest material, was confirmed in 61 different territories on the main is-land and in the surrounding archipelago. In these territories 27 chicks from 21 different clutches were recorded. Wind power, radar, bird, mortality, GIS, white-tailed eagle (WTE), ptarmigan, Vindkraft, radar, fugl, dødelighet, GIS, havørn, lirypeBevanger, K., Berntsen, F., Clausen, S., Dahl, E.L., Flagstad, Ø. Follestad, A., Halley, D., Hanssen, F., Hoel, P.L., Johnsen, L., Kvaløy, P., May, R., Nygård, T., Pedersen, H.C., Reitan, O., Steinheim, Y. & Vang, R. 2009. ”Pre- and post-construction studies of conflicts between birds and wind turbines in coastal Norway” (BirdWind). Progress Report 2009. – NINA Rapport 505. 70 s. Fra og med 2007 har NINA mottatt økonomisk støtte til forskning på effekter av vindkraftproduksjon på fugl fra Norges Forskningsråd gjennom RENERGI-Programmet. Prosjektet heter Pre- and post-construction studies of conflicts between birds and wind turbines in coastal Norway (BirdWind). BirdWind går nå inn i sin sluttfase, med 2010 som det siste ordinære år med datainnsamling. Prosjektet ble betydelig styrket i 2009 ved at det ble ansatt en PhD-student som særlig skal fokusere på den fremtidige bestandsutviklingen hos havørn, basert på reproduksjons- og dødelighetsdata. Arbeidet vil gå over fire år og stillingen er finansiert av Statkraft og NINA. Ukentlige søk etter døde fugler innen området til vindkraftverket har pågått hele året, og generelt har det vært gjort søk med 7 dagers intervall (pluss/minus én dag) i tilknytning til 25 utvalgte ”primærturbiner”. Søkene har vært utført sammen med hund. Søk ved alle møller har vært gjort med lengre mellomrom. De vanligste artene som er funnet er lirype og havørn, med henholdsvis 10 og 7 individer (frem til 1. desember). Det er også funnet 3 enkeltbekkasiner, samt 5 kråker, og ett individ av henholdsvis furukorsnebb, steinskvett, krikkand og stokkand. Noen funn fra tidligere år er reklassifisert i forhold til dødsårsak. Vår- og høsttaksering av lirype er foretatt som tidligere både på Smøla og Hitra. Foreløpige resultater indikerer ikke spesiell forskjell mellom de to områdene, men høstbestanden i området til vindkraftverket på Smøla synes å være mer stabil sammenlignet med kontrollområdet. Interessant nok synes den tilsynelatende høyere bestandstettheten innen områ- det til vindkraftverket om høsten å jevne seg ut om våren; så også i 2009. For å samle data på habitatseleksjon, bevegelser, kollisjonsrisiko, eggpredasjon, unge- og voksenoverlevelse, samt generelle parametre i forhold til populasjonsdynamikk, har ryper blitt radioinstrumentert både i 2008 og 2009, et arbeid som fremdeles pågår. Aktivitet i tilknytning til vadere og mindre fugler har i inneværende år vært lagt til Hitra i tilknytning til konsekvensutredningsarbeidet i forbindelse med planene om en utvidelse av vindkraftverket der (Hitra II). Siden 2003 har 50 reirunger av havørn blitt utstyrt med satellittsender med GPS funksjon. I 2009 ble 8 havørnunger radioinstrumentert, 6 med solcelledrevne sendere, og 2 med batteridrevne. Én ble merket innenfor området til vindkraftverket, de andre i tilgrensende områder. De solcelledrevne senderne brukt i 2009 er programmert til å gi én posisjon hver time om sommeren for å gi et mer detaljert bilde av bevegelsesmønsteret; data som skal brukes til risikomodellering. Om vinteren sendes langt færre posisjonsdata pga. lite lys og dårlig batteri-lading. En av årets satellittmerkede unger ble funnet turbindrept 7. oktober 2009. Fjærinnsamling har pågått som tidligere både fra aktive reir og reirunger, så vel som fra ørner drept i tilknytning til vindturbinene. DNA-analyser fra bein av 6 ørner drept i elektrokusjonsulykker (strømslag) på Smøla er også inkludert i materialet. For å øke laboratorieeffektiviteten og for å strømlinjeforme produksjonen av DNA-data, er en ekstraksjonsrobot tatt i bruk. Alle havørnreir på Smøla ble kontrollert også i sommer. Territorieaktivitet, identifisert enten ved mytefjær, reirunger eller friskt reirmateriale, ble konstatert for 61 territorier på hovedøya og tilgrensende småøyer. Til sammen ble det fra disse territoriene registrert 27 reirunger fra 21 forskjellige territorier.© Norsk institutt for naturforskning. Publikasjonen kan siteres fritt med kildeangivelse

Pre- and post-construction studies of conflicts between birds and wind turbines in coastal Norway (BirdWind). Report on findings 2007-2010

The BirdWind project (2007-2010) is now concluded. This report summarises the main findings. Several scientific papers are in the process of preparation for publication in international peer re-view journals; this report only provides a brief overview. The main project objective has been to study species-, site- and seasonal-specific bird mortality; and to identify vulnerable species and site-specific factors that should be considered to improve the basis for future pre- and post con-struction EIAs in connection with wind power-plant constructions. To reach these goals work pack-ages and sub-projects have focused on behavioural and response studies at individual and popu-lation levels, for selected model species. The white-tailed eagle has been a focal species during the studies, as several fatalities were recorded in connection with the Smøla Wind-Power Plant (SWPP) even before the project started; the SWPP has been the main arena for project fieldwork. Modelling the WTE collision risk and making a WTE population model were important elements of the project activities. The development of methodologies and technical tools for data collection and mitigating measures has also been an important part of the project. For practical convenience the project was divided into eight subprojects focusing on 1) bird mortality, 2) willow ptarmigan, 3) breeding waders and smaller passerines, 4) white-tailed eagle, 5) bird radar, 6) mitigating technol-ogy, 7) data flow and storage systems and 8) GIS, visualization and terrain modelling. Results and preliminary conclusions related to each of these subtasks are reported

Pre- and post-construction studies of conflicts between birds and wind turbines in coastal Norway (BirdWind). Report on findings 2007-2010

Bevanger, K., Berntsen, F., Clausen, S., Dahl, E.L., Flagstad, Ø. Follestad, A., Halley, D., Hanssen, F., Johnsen, L., Kvaløy, P., Lund-Hoel, P., May, R., Nygård, T., Pedersen, H.C., Reitan, O., Røskaft, E., Steinheim, Y., Stokke, B. & Vang, R. 2010. Pre- and post-construction studies of conflicts between birds and wind turbines in coastal Norway (BirdWind). Report on findings 2007-2010. – NINA Report 620. 152 pp. The BirdWind project (2007-2010) is now concluded. This report summarises the main findings. Several scientific papers are in the process of preparation for publication in international peer re-view journals; this report only provides a brief overview. The main project objective has been to study species-, site- and seasonal-specific bird mortality; and to identify vulnerable species and site-specific factors that should be considered to improve the basis for future pre- and post con-struction EIAs in connection with wind power-plant constructions. To reach these goals work pack-ages and sub-projects have focused on behavioural and response studies at individual and popu-lation levels, for selected model species. The white-tailed eagle has been a focal species during the studies, as several fatalities were recorded in connection with the Smøla Wind-Power Plant (SWPP) even before the project started; the SWPP has been the main arena for project fieldwork. Modelling the WTE collision risk and making a WTE population model were important elements of the project activities. The development of methodologies and technical tools for data collection and mitigating measures has also been an important part of the project. For practical convenience the project was divided into eight subprojects focusing on 1) bird mortality, 2) willow ptarmigan, 3) breeding waders and smaller passerines, 4) white-tailed eagle, 5) bird radar, 6) mitigating technol-ogy, 7) data flow and storage systems and 8) GIS, visualization and terrain modelling. Results and preliminary conclusions related to each of these subtasks are reported

Structural and functional insight into how the Plasmodium falciparum VAR2CSA protein mediates binding to chondroitin sulfate A in placental malaria

Malaria is a major global health problem. Pregnant women are susceptible to infection regardless of previously acquired immunity. Placental malaria is caused by parasites capable of sequestering in the placenta. This is mediated by VAR2CSA, a parasite antigen that interacts with chondroitin sulfate A (CSA). One vaccine strategy is to block this interaction with VAR2CSA-specific antibodies. It is a priority to define a small VAR2CSA fragment that can be used in an adhesion blocking vaccine. In this, the obvious approach is to define regions of VAR2CSA involved in receptor binding. It has been shown that full-length recombinant VAR2CSA binds specifically to CSA with nanomolar affinity, and that the CSA-binding site lies in the N-terminal part of the protein. In this study we define the minimal binding region by truncating VAR2CSA and analyzing CSA binding using biosensor technology. We show that the core CSA-binding site lies within the DBL2X domain and parts of the flanking interdomain regions. This is in contrast to the idea that single domains do not possess the structural requirements for specific CSA binding. Small-angle x-ray scattering measurements enabled modeling of VAR2CSA and showed that the CSA-binding DBL2X domain is situated in the center of the structure. Mutating classic sulfate-binding sites in VAR2CSA, along with testing dependence of ionic interactions, suggest that the CSA binding is not solely dependent on the sulfated CSA structure. Based on these novel PfEMP1 structure-function studies, we have constructed a small VAR2CSA antigen that has the capacity to induce highly adhesion-blocking antibodies

”Pre- and post-construction studies of conflicts between birds and wind turbines in coastal Norway" (BirdWind). Progress Report 2009

From 2007 inclusive, NINA has received economic support for research on wind power and birds from the Norwegian Research Council (NFR) through the RENERGI-programme. The project is named Pre- and post-construction studies of conflicts between birds and wind turbines in coastal Norway (BirdWind). BirdWind is approaching its finalisation; with 2010 as the last ordinary year where data-collecting activities takes place. In 2009 the project was significantly strengthened through a new PhD-position funded by Statkraft and NINA. The position is held for four years, and the overall aim of the work conducted by the PhD-student is to model the future white-tailed eagle (WTE) population development based on reproduction and mortality data. Weekly searches with dogs for birds killed within the wind-power plant have been carried out throughout the year; in general searches are conducted every 7 days (plus or minus one day). 25 ‘primary turbines’ are selected and searched together with one of two dogs. A full search of all turbines is performed at larger intervals. In 2009 (up to December 1) 31 specimens of at least 8 species have been re-corded. The most frequent victims are willow ptarmigan and WTE with 10 and 7 carcasses, re-spectively. Of waders 3 common snipes have been recorded. Five carcasses were recorded of hooded crow, and single carcasses of parrot crossbill, northern wheatear, teal and mallard. Some records from earlier years have been revised as collision victims or not. Also in 2009 censuses for willow ptarmigan have been carried out in spring and autumn on Smøla and Hitra. The preliminary results do not indicate any obvious differences between the two areas, but autumn density in the wind-power plant area seems to be more stable compared to the control area. Interestingly the higher density within the wind-power plant area in autumn is evened out in spring each year, so also in spring 2009. To obtain data on habitat selection, movements, collision risks, survival of eggs, chicks and adults and general population dynamic parameters, willow ptarmigan specimen have been radio-tagged in 2008-2009. The activities regarding breeding waders and small birds (mainly passerines) have this year focused on the EIA-activities on Hitra in connection to the planned extension of the existing power plant on Hitra I; the Hitra II Wind-Power Plant. Since 2003, 50 nestlings of white-tailed eagle have been equipped with satellite transmitters. In 2009, eight WTE nestlings were tagged, six with solar-powered and two with battery-powered transmit-ters. One was tagged within the wind-power plant, the others in close vicinity of it. The solar-powered transmitters used in 2009 were programmed to give one position per hour during sum-mer in order to have finer resolution of movements for risk-modelling purposes. During winter less frequent downloading is scheduled, due to low light and poor battery-charging. One of the tagged nestlings was found killed by a turbine October 7. We have continued to collect feathers from ac-tive nests and chicks also in 2009, as well as from eagles killed in collisions with wind turbines. DNA-analyses from bones of six eagles killed by electrocution on power-line pylons on Smøla will also be included. For increased efficiency in the laboratory, and to streamline the production of DNA-data, the use of an extraction robot has been implemented. All WTE nest sites on Smøla were surveyed during the summer. Territorial activity, identified by either moulted adult feathers, chicks in the nest or fresh nest material, was confirmed in 61 different territories on the main is-land and in the surrounding archipelago. In these territories 27 chicks from 21 different clutches were recorded. Wind power, radar, bird, mortality, GIS, white-tailed eagle (WTE), ptarmigan, Vindkraft, radar, fugl, dødelighet, GIS, havørn, lirypeBevanger, K., Berntsen, F., Clausen, S., Dahl, E.L., Flagstad, Ø. Follestad, A., Halley, D., Hanssen, F., Hoel, P.L., Johnsen, L., Kvaløy, P., May, R., Nygård, T., Pedersen, H.C., Reitan, O., Steinheim, Y. & Vang, R. 2009. ”Pre- and post-construction studies of conflicts between birds and wind turbines in coastal Norway” (BirdWind). Progress Report 2009. – NINA Rapport 505. 70 s. Fra og med 2007 har NINA mottatt økonomisk støtte til forskning på effekter av vindkraftproduksjon på fugl fra Norges Forskningsråd gjennom RENERGI-Programmet. Prosjektet heter Pre- and post-construction studies of conflicts between birds and wind turbines in coastal Norway (BirdWind). BirdWind går nå inn i sin sluttfase, med 2010 som det siste ordinære år med datainnsamling. Prosjektet ble betydelig styrket i 2009 ved at det ble ansatt en PhD-student som særlig skal fokusere på den fremtidige bestandsutviklingen hos havørn, basert på reproduksjons- og dødelighetsdata. Arbeidet vil gå over fire år og stillingen er finansiert av Statkraft og NINA. Ukentlige søk etter døde fugler innen området til vindkraftverket har pågått hele året, og generelt har det vært gjort søk med 7 dagers intervall (pluss/minus én dag) i tilknytning til 25 utvalgte ”primærturbiner”. Søkene har vært utført sammen med hund. Søk ved alle møller har vært gjort med lengre mellomrom. De vanligste artene som er funnet er lirype og havørn, med henholdsvis 10 og 7 individer (frem til 1. desember). Det er også funnet 3 enkeltbekkasiner, samt 5 kråker, og ett individ av henholdsvis furukorsnebb, steinskvett, krikkand og stokkand. Noen funn fra tidligere år er reklassifisert i forhold til dødsårsak. Vår- og høsttaksering av lirype er foretatt som tidligere både på Smøla og Hitra. Foreløpige resultater indikerer ikke spesiell forskjell mellom de to områdene, men høstbestanden i området til vindkraftverket på Smøla synes å være mer stabil sammenlignet med kontrollområdet. Interessant nok synes den tilsynelatende høyere bestandstettheten innen områ- det til vindkraftverket om høsten å jevne seg ut om våren; så også i 2009. For å samle data på habitatseleksjon, bevegelser, kollisjonsrisiko, eggpredasjon, unge- og voksenoverlevelse, samt generelle parametre i forhold til populasjonsdynamikk, har ryper blitt radioinstrumentert både i 2008 og 2009, et arbeid som fremdeles pågår. Aktivitet i tilknytning til vadere og mindre fugler har i inneværende år vært lagt til Hitra i tilknytning til konsekvensutredningsarbeidet i forbindelse med planene om en utvidelse av vindkraftverket der (Hitra II). Siden 2003 har 50 reirunger av havørn blitt utstyrt med satellittsender med GPS funksjon. I 2009 ble 8 havørnunger radioinstrumentert, 6 med solcelledrevne sendere, og 2 med batteridrevne. Én ble merket innenfor området til vindkraftverket, de andre i tilgrensende områder. De solcelledrevne senderne brukt i 2009 er programmert til å gi én posisjon hver time om sommeren for å gi et mer detaljert bilde av bevegelsesmønsteret; data som skal brukes til risikomodellering. Om vinteren sendes langt færre posisjonsdata pga. lite lys og dårlig batteri-lading. En av årets satellittmerkede unger ble funnet turbindrept 7. oktober 2009. Fjærinnsamling har pågått som tidligere både fra aktive reir og reirunger, så vel som fra ørner drept i tilknytning til vindturbinene. DNA-analyser fra bein av 6 ørner drept i elektrokusjonsulykker (strømslag) på Smøla er også inkludert i materialet. For å øke laboratorieeffektiviteten og for å strømlinjeforme produksjonen av DNA-data, er en ekstraksjonsrobot tatt i bruk. Alle havørnreir på Smøla ble kontrollert også i sommer. Territorieaktivitet, identifisert enten ved mytefjær, reirunger eller friskt reirmateriale, ble konstatert for 61 territorier på hovedøya og tilgrensende småøyer. Til sammen ble det fra disse territoriene registrert 27 reirunger fra 21 forskjellige territorier.© Norsk institutt for naturforskning. Publikasjonen kan siteres fritt med kildeangivelse

”Pre- and post-construction studies of conflicts between birds and wind turbines in coastal Norway" (BirdWind). Progress Report 2009

From 2007 inclusive, NINA has received economic support for research on wind power and birds from the Norwegian Research Council (NFR) through the RENERGI-programme. The project is named Pre- and post-construction studies of conflicts between birds and wind turbines in coastal Norway (BirdWind). BirdWind is approaching its finalisation; with 2010 as the last ordinary year where data-collecting activities takes place. In 2009 the project was significantly strengthened through a new PhD-position funded by Statkraft and NINA. The position is held for four years, and the overall aim of the work conducted by the PhD-student is to model the future white-tailed eagle (WTE) population development based on reproduction and mortality data. Weekly searches with dogs for birds killed within the wind-power plant have been carried out throughout the year; in general searches are conducted every 7 days (plus or minus one day). 25 ‘primary turbines’ are selected and searched together with one of two dogs. A full search of all turbines is performed at larger intervals. In 2009 (up to December 1) 31 specimens of at least 8 species have been re-corded. The most frequent victims are willow ptarmigan and WTE with 10 and 7 carcasses, re-spectively. Of waders 3 common snipes have been recorded. Five carcasses were recorded of hooded crow, and single carcasses of parrot crossbill, northern wheatear, teal and mallard. Some records from earlier years have been revised as collision victims or not. Also in 2009 censuses for willow ptarmigan have been carried out in spring and autumn on Smøla and Hitra. The preliminary results do not indicate any obvious differences between the two areas, but autumn density in the wind-power plant area seems to be more stable compared to the control area. Interestingly the higher density within the wind-power plant area in autumn is evened out in spring each year, so also in spring 2009. To obtain data on habitat selection, movements, collision risks, survival of eggs, chicks and adults and general population dynamic parameters, willow ptarmigan specimen have been radio-tagged in 2008-2009. The activities regarding breeding waders and small birds (mainly passerines) have this year focused on the EIA-activities on Hitra in connection to the planned extension of the existing power plant on Hitra I; the Hitra II Wind-Power Plant. Since 2003, 50 nestlings of white-tailed eagle have been equipped with satellite transmitters. In 2009, eight WTE nestlings were tagged, six with solar-powered and two with battery-powered transmit-ters. One was tagged within the wind-power plant, the others in close vicinity of it. The solar-powered transmitters used in 2009 were programmed to give one position per hour during sum-mer in order to have finer resolution of movements for risk-modelling purposes. During winter less frequent downloading is scheduled, due to low light and poor battery-charging. One of the tagged nestlings was found killed by a turbine October 7. We have continued to collect feathers from ac-tive nests and chicks also in 2009, as well as from eagles killed in collisions with wind turbines. DNA-analyses from bones of six eagles killed by electrocution on power-line pylons on Smøla will also be included. For increased efficiency in the laboratory, and to streamline the production of DNA-data, the use of an extraction robot has been implemented. All WTE nest sites on Smøla were surveyed during the summer. Territorial activity, identified by either moulted adult feathers, chicks in the nest or fresh nest material, was confirmed in 61 different territories on the main is-land and in the surrounding archipelago. In these territories 27 chicks from 21 different clutches were recorded. Wind power, radar, bird, mortality, GIS, white-tailed eagle (WTE), ptarmigan, Vindkraft, radar, fugl, dødelighet, GIS, havørn, liryp