There are a series of projects being undertaken in support of the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity for food and agriculture, associated biodiversity and wild food resources. Of the projects listed, none were included in Norway's national reports on animal, plant and/or forest genetic resources (Sæther, 2002; Asdal, 2008; Skrøppa, 2012).94
9.2.4.1 Establishment of in situ reserves for plant genetic resources in protected areas
This ongoing project, that is being carried out in accordance with the Norwegian Nature Diversity Act and its regulations, aims at the national implementation of the plant genetic resources in situ conservation provisions reflected in the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and in the Global Plan of Action for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and
Agriculture. The project is being carried out by the University of Birmingham, GBIF Norway, Oslo’s Natural History Museum, NordGen, County authorities responsible for the management of
protected areas and the Norwegian Environment Agency (observer). The County authorities and the Norwegian Environment Agency provide support in determining how genetic resources of certain crop wild relatives (CWR) species could be protected, while respecting the existing
protected areas regulatory framework of the Nature Management Act. At present, the research area consists of protected areas where important CWR occur; field work is currently being carried out in 5 to 10 hot-spots. This project is expected to contribute to sustained genetic diversity within crops and their wild growing relatives by 2020 (Aichi target 13). At the same time it will also contribute to safeguard their associated biodiversity.
9.2.4.2 Better pollination of red clover with help of bumble and honey bees (PolliClover)
This five year project was initiated by Bioforsk95 in 2013. It aims to reverse the continuous decline in red clover seedlings through the active use of pollinators and to evaluate the effects of habitat management with a view to increase bumble bee density. Red clover is Norway's main pasture legume crop. It fixes nitrogen directly from the air and adds extra protein and minerals to animal fodder.
9.2.4.3 Wild apple in Norway
This Project aimed to analyse the status of wild apple trees in Norway with respect to hybridisation with cultivated apples and their genetic variation to define how to best protect them. The main outcomes of this recently ended project can be found at http://www.genressurser.no.
94 The projects are not listed in order of priority.
95 Bioforsk became part of NIBIO in July 2015 following the merger of Bioforsk, the Norwegian Forest and Landscape Institute and the Norwegian Agricultural Economics Research Institute.
9.2.4.4 Living topsoil project (Levende matjord)
The "Living topsoil" project was established in 2009 by county representatives of Buskerud, Lindum AS, VitalAnalyse and Bioforsk Økologisk (now NORSØK). Through this Project, farmers are encouraged approach their soils from a biological perspective and to take into account the soil food web dynamics. The project includes soil health assessments on agricultural land of both conventional and organic farmers, whereby the occurrence of associated soil biodiversity is an important indicator. Based on these assessments farmers are given advice on possible ways to bring back "life" into the soil. Farmers participating in this project are from the counties of Buskerud, Østfold, Vestfold and Rogaland. Farmers (in particular the conventional ones) and decision makers at county (Fylkesmannen) and national (Norsk Landbruksrådgiving) levels have shown great interest in this project. This project is closely linked to the "Soil knowledge and soil culture" project (Jordkunnskap og jordkultur) which aims to stimulate biological diversity and improve the amount of humus in topsoils. The latter project was initiated and is funded by the Norwegian Agricultural Authority (Landbruksdirektoratet).
9.2.4.5 Vermicomposting for vegetable production in Vestfold county
Vestfold county runs a ten-year project involving companies and researchers that are working together to increase innovation and value creation in businesses, VRI Vestfold . The project focuses on food, micro-technology, water purification and energy and marine engineering. It is mainly funded by Norway's Research Council and Vestfold Value Creation (Verdiskaping Vestfold), with the latter being the owner of the project.
One of the project's interesting research areas relates to vermicomposting for vegetable production. In vermicomposting various earthworms are used to break down a mixture of horse manure, cow dung and vegetable waste, resulting into worm castings or worm manure. These nutrient-rich castings are subsequently tested as organic fertilizers and soil conditioners to produce healthier and more resistant food crops. Through this research, which is being carried out by Stenersens Gardening, the project ultimately aims to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers in crop production and to enhance sustainable crop intensification (http://vri-vestfold.no/delprosjekter/gronn- forskning-landbruk/meitemarkens-fode-blir-markens-grode/).
9.2.4.6 Living forest
The Living Forest Standard was agreed upon in 1998 with the aim to develop criteria for
sustainable forestry in Norway, as well as to document and control the environmental conditions in forests. The Standard also intended to strengthen Norwegian and international confidence in products from Norwegian forestry and forest industry. The standard was developed with the participation of forest owner organizations, the forest industry, trade unions and environmental and outdoor organizations. Government officials participated as observers (Det norske
Skogselskap, 2011). Despite the Standard’s formal suspension mid-2012, it is maintained as part of Norway's Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification scheme (PEFC).
9.2.4.7 Environmental recording in forests (Miljøregistrering i skog-‐MiS)
This project is being implemented by NIBIO is funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. The two interrelated objectives of MiS are to i) improve the knowledge of the environmental benefits of biodiversity in forests; and ii) develop methods to detect and monitor this biodiversity. The project
involves the use of a registration tool that provides information to forest owners on areas that are particularly important to conserve from an environmental perspective.
9.2.4.8 Development projects on animal, plant and forest genetic resources
Projects for the development of the national animal, plant and forest genetic resources sectors are described in more detail in Norway's sectoral reports on animal, plant and forest genetic resources, as well as in the strategic plan of the Norwegian Genetic Resource Centre and its rolling plans of action for the conservation and use of farm animals, forest trees and plants (www.genressurser.no).