Torbjørn Håkan Ergon

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Phone +47 22857311
Mobile phone +47 92602138 (+47) 92602138
Room 3507
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Visiting address Blindernveien 31 0371 Oslo
Postal address Postboks 1066 Blindern 0316 Oslo

Most of my research has focused on trying to understand variation in life-history traits and demographic rates within populations and link this to population level patterns and processes such as delayed density dependence. I use both theoretical and empirical approaches, and I am particularly interested in using and developing methods and statistical models to estimate (correlated) distributions of latent life-history traits within populations. This work is also highly relevant for selection processes in an evolutionary context, and I aim to contribute towards our understanding of the evolution of phenotypic plasticity in life-history traits.

Other research interests include long term bird population studies, bioacoustics, and statistical modelling in ecology.

I'm the director of Finse Alpine Research Center and an associate editor of Methods in Ecology and Evolution.

I studied at University of Bergen (BSc, MSc), University of Oslo (PhD) and University of Aberdeen, Scotland (PhD). I did a post-doc at Patuxent Wildlife Research Centre (Maryland) and University of Tromsø, and I have spent time (> 3 months) at University of Otago (New Zealand), University of Wellington (New Zealand), University of California, Berkeley, and Cornell University (NY).

I got into ecology and science as a birdwatcher at a young age. Nowadays, I spend my spare time sailing, hiking/skiing with my family and our dog, and enjoying the outdoors.

Tags: Capture-recapture, Ecological statistics, Small rodents, Life-history theory, Seabirds, Population dynamics

Publications

  • Reitan, Trond; Ergon, Torbjørn & Liow, Lee Hsiang (2022). Relative species abundance and population densities of the past: Developing multispecies occupancy models for fossil data. Paleobiology. ISSN 0094-8373. 49(1), p. 23–38. doi: 10.1017/pab.2022.17. Full text in Research Archive
  • Nater, Chloe Rebecca; Stubberud, Marlene Wæge; Langangen, Øystein Ole Gahr; Rustadbakken, Atle; Moe, S. Jannicke & Ergon, Torbjørn [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2022). Towards a future without stocking: harvest and river regulation determine long-term population viability of migratory salmonids. Climate Research (CR). ISSN 0936-577X. 86, p. 37–52. doi: 10.3354/cr01644. Full text in Research Archive
  • Turek, Daniel; Milleret, Cyril Pierre; Ergon, Torbjørn; Brøseth, Henrik; Dupont, Pierre & Bischof, Richard [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2021). Efficient estimation of large-scale spatial capture–recapture models. Ecosphere. ISSN 2150-8925. 12(2). doi: 10.1002/ecs2.3385. Full text in Research Archive
  • Nater, Chloe R; Vindenes, Yngvild; Aass, Per; Cole, Diana; Langangen, Øystein & Moe, S. Jannicke [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2020). Size‐ and stage‐dependence in cause‐specific mortality of migratory brown trout. Journal of Animal Ecology. ISSN 0021-8790. 89(9), p. 2122–2133. doi: 10.1111/1365-2656.13269. Full text in Research Archive
  • Ergon, Torbjørn; Borgan, Ørnulf; Nater, Chloé Rebecca & Vindenes, Yngvild (2018). The utility of mortality hazard rates in population analyses. Methods in Ecology and Evolution. ISSN 2041-210X. 9, p. 2046–2056. doi: 10.1111/2041-210X.13059.
  • Nater, Chloé Rebecca; Rustadbakken, Atle; Ergon, Torbjørn; Langangen, Øystein; Moe, S. Jannicke & Vindenes, Yngvild [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2018). Individual heterogeneity and early life conditions shape growth in a freshwater top predator. Ecology. ISSN 0012-9658. 99(5), p. 1011–1017. doi: 10.1002/ecy.2178. Full text in Research Archive
  • Sengupta, Sagnik; Ergon, Torbjørn & Leinaas, Hans Petter (2017). Thermal plasticity in postembryonic life history traits of a widely distributed Collembola: Effects of macroclimate and microhabitat on genotypic differences. Ecology and Evolution. ISSN 2045-7758. 7(19), p. 8100–8112. doi: 10.1002/ece3.3333. Full text in Research Archive
  • Ergon, Torbjørn & Ergon, Rolf (2017). When three traits make a line: evolution of phenotypic plasticity and genetic assimilation through linear reaction norms in stochastic environments. Journal of Evolutionary Biology. ISSN 1010-061X. 30(3), p. 486–500. doi: 10.1111/jeb.13003. Full text in Research Archive
  • Liow, Lee Hsiang & Ergon, Torbjørn (2016). Fitting ancestral age-dependent speciation models to fossil data. In Allmon, Warren D. & Yacobucci, Margaret M. (Ed.), Species and Speciation in the Fossil Record. University of Chicago Press. ISSN 9780226377445. p. 198–216. doi: 10.7208/chicago/9780226377582.001.0001.
  • Sengupta, Sagnik; Ergon, Torbjørn & Leinaas, Hans Petter (2016). Genotypic differences in embryonic life history traits of Folsomia quadrioculata (Collembola: Isotomidae) across a wide geographical range. Ecological Entomology. ISSN 0307-6946. 41(1), p. 72–84. doi: 10.1111/een.12270.
  • Schnug, Lisbeth; Ergon, Torbjørn; Jakob, Lena; Scott-Fordsmand, Janeck J; Joner, Erik & Leinaas, Hans Petter (2015). Responses of earthworms to repeated exposure to three biocides Applied singly and as a mixture in an agricultural field. Science of the Total Environment. ISSN 0048-9697. 505, p. 223–235. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.09.089.
  • Ergon, Torbjørn & Gardner, Beth (2014). Separating mortality and emigration: modelling space use, dispersal and survival with robust-design spatial capture–recapture data. Methods in Ecology and Evolution. ISSN 2041-210X. 5(12), p. 1327–1336. doi: 10.1111/2041-210X.12133.
  • Reimers, Eigil; Lund, Steinar & Ergon, Torbjørn (2011). Vigilance and fright behaviour in the insular Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus). Canadian Journal of Zoology. ISSN 0008-4301. 89(8), p. 753–764. doi: 10.1139/Z11-040.
  • Knudsen, Endre; Linden, Andreas; Both, Christiaan; Jonzén, Niclas; Pulido, Francisco & Saino, Nicola [Show all 27 contributors for this article] (2011). Challenging claims in the study of migratory birds and climate change. Biological Reviews. ISSN 1464-7931. 86, p. 928–946. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-185X.2011.00179.x.
  • Ergon, Torbjørn; Ergon, Rolf ; Begon, Mike; Telfer, Sandra & Lambin, Xavier (2011). Delayed density-dependent onset of spring reproduction in a fluctuating population of field voles. Oikos. ISSN 0030-1299. 120(6), p. 934–940. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0706.2010.18983.x. Full text in Research Archive
  • Liow, Lee Hsiang; Skaug, Hans Julius; Ergon, Torbjørn H. & Schweder, Tore (2010). Global occurrence trajectories of microfossils: environmental volatility and the rise and fall of individual species. Paleobiology. ISSN 0094-8373. 36(2), p. 224–252. doi: 10.1666/08080.1.
  • Hegel, Troy Michel; Mysterud, Atle; Ergon, Torbjørn; Loe, Leif Egil; Huettmann, Falk & Stenseth, Nils Christian (2010). Seasonal effects of Pacific-based climate on recruitment in a predator-limited large herbivore. Journal of Animal Ecology. ISSN 0021-8790. 79(2), p. 471–482. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2009.01647.x.
  • Ergon, Torbjørn; Yoccoz, Nigel G. & Nichols, James D. (2009). Estimating Latent Time of Maturation and Survival Costs of Reproduction in Continuous Time from Capture–Recapture Data. In Thomson, David L.; Cooch, Evan G. & Conroy, Michael J. (Ed.), Modeling Demographic Processes In Marked Populations. Springer. ISSN 978-0-387-78150-1. p. 173–197.
  • Jonzén, Niclas; Lindén, Andreas; Ergon, Torbjørn; Knudsen, Endre; Vik, Jon Olav & Rubolini, Diego [Show all 17 contributors for this article] (2008). Rapid advance of spring arrival dates in long-distance migratory birds. In Kennedy, Donald (Eds.), Science Magazine's State of the Planet 2008-2009: with a Special Section on Energy and Sustainability. Island Press. ISSN 9781597264051. p. 1959–1961.
  • Ergon, Torbjørn (2007). Optimal onset of seasonal reproduction in stochastic environments: When should overwintering small rodents start breeding? Écoscience. ISSN 1195-6860. 14, p. 330–346.
  • Knudsen, Endre; Lindén, Andreas; Ergon, Torbjørn; Jonzén, Niclas; Vik, Jon Olav & Knape, Jonas [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2007). Characterizing bird migration phenology using data from standardized monitoring at bird observatories. Climate Research (CR). ISSN 0936-577X. 35(1-2), p. 59–77. doi: 10.3354/cr00714.
  • Jonzén, Niclas; Ergon, Torbjørn; Lindén, Andreas & Stenseth, Nils Christian (2007). Bird migration and climate change: the general picture and beyond. Climate Research (CR). ISSN 0936-577X. 35(1-2), p. 177–180. doi: 10.3354/cr00724.
  • Saino, Nicola; Rubolini, Diego; Jonzén, Niclas; Ergon, Torbjørn; Montemaggiori, A & Stenseth, Nils Christian [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2007). Temperature and rainfall anomalies in Africa predict timing of spring migration in trans-Saharan migritory birds. Climate Research (CR). ISSN 0936-577X. 35(1-2), p. 123–134.
  • Krafft, Bjørn A.; Kovacs, Kit M.; Andersen, Magnus; Aars, Jon; Lydersen, Christian & Ergon, Torbjørn [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2006). Abundance of ringed seals (Pusa hispida) in the fjords of Spitsbergen, Svalbard, during the peak moulting period. Marine mammal science. ISSN 0824-0469. 22(2), p. 394–412. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2006.00035.x.
  • Krafft, Bjørn A.; Kovacs, K.M.; Ergon, Torbjørn; Andersen, Magnus; Aars, Jon & Haug, T. [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2006). Abundance of ringed seals (Pusa hispida) in the fjords of Spitsbergen, Svalbard, during the peak molting period. Marine mammal science. ISSN 0824-0469. 22(2), p. 394–412.
  • Jonzén, Niclas; Lindén, Andreas; Ergon, Torbjørn; Knudsen, Endre; Vik, Jon Olav & Rubolini, Diego [Show all 17 contributors for this article] (2006). Rapid Advance of Spring Arrival Dates in Long-Distance Migratory Birds. Science. ISSN 0036-8075. 312(5782), p. 1959–1961.
  • Loe, Leif Egil; Bonenfant, Christophe; Mysterud, Atle; Gaillard, JM; Langvatn, R & Klein, F [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2005). Climate predictability and breeding phenology in red deer: timing and synchrony of rutting and calving in Norway and France. Journal of Animal Ecology. ISSN 0021-8790. 74, p. 579–588. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2005.00987.x.
  • Ergon, Torbjørn; Speakman, John R.; Scantlebury, Michael; Cavanagh, Rachel & Lambin, Xavier (2004). Optimal body size and energy expenditure during winter: Why are voles smaller in declining populations? The American Naturalist. ISSN 0003-0147. 163, p. E442–E457. Full text in Research Archive
  • Cavanagh, Rachel; Lambin, Xavier; Ergon, Torbjørn; Bennett, Malcolm; Graham, Isla M. & Soolingen, Dick Van [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2004). Disease dynamics in cyclic populations of field voles (Microtus agrestis): cowpox virus and vole tuberculosis (Mycobacterium microti). Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Biological Sciences. ISSN 0962-8452. 217(1541), p. 859–867.
  • Speakman, John R.; Ergon, Torbjørn; Cavanagh, Rachel; Reid, K.; Scantlebury, Michael & Lambin, Xavier (2003). Resting and daily energy expenditures of free-living field voles are positively correlated but reflect extrinsic rather than intrinsic effects. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. ISSN 0027-8424. 100(24), p. 14057–14062.
  • Cavanagh, Rachel; Begon, Michael; Bennett, Malcolm; Ergon, Torbjørn; Graham, Isla M. & Haas, Petra E. W. de [Show all 12 contributors for this article] (2002). Mycobacterium microti Infection (Vole Tuberculosis) in Wild Rodent Populations. Journal of Clinical Microbiology. ISSN 0095-1137. p. 3281–3285.
  • Ergon, Torbjørn; Lambin, Xavier & Stenseth, Nils Christian (2001). Life-history traits of voles in a fluctuating population respond to the immediate environment. Nature. ISSN 0028-0836. 411, p. 1043–1045.
  • Ergon, Torbjørn; Lambin, Xavier; MacKinnon, James L.; Boonstra, Rudy & Stenseth, Nils Christian (2001). Mechanisms for delayed density-dependent reproductive traits in field voles, Microtus agrestis: the importance of inherited environmental effects. Oikos. ISSN 0030-1299. 95, p. 185–197.
  • Johansen, Beate Strøm; Kooij, Jeroen van der; Breistøl, Arild; Ergon, Torbjørn; Lislevand, Terje & Rognes, Knut (1997). Fjellrotte funnet i Agderfylkene. Fauna. ISSN 0014-8881. 50(4), p. 176–177.

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  • Ulvund, Kristine R.; Jackson, Craig Ryan; Rød-Eriksen, Lars; Hovstad, Knut Anders; Areskoug, Veronika & Thierry, Anne-Mathilde [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2022). From captive to free – survival and reproduction in Arctic foxes.
  • de Valpine, Perry; Turek, Daniel; Ponisio, Lauren C.; Milleret, Cyril Pierre; Ergon, Torbjørn & Brøseth, Henrik (2019). Hierarchical statistical modeling with NIMBLE for occupancy, abundance, and spatial capture-recapture models.
  • Moghadam, Maunya D. & Ergon, Torbjørn (2015). Estimating the animal movements from lightbased data by using state-space modeling.
  • Hagelin, Jon Valbjørn; Ergon, Torbjørn & Slagsvold, Tore (2014). Change in distribution of Norwegian alpine breeding birds in response to global warming.
  • Ergon, Torbjørn (2014). Ghosts, demons and elusive species; Adaptive multi-method occupancy sampling for monitoring of multiple species.
  • Areskoug, Veronika; Landa, Arild Magne; Eide, Nina Elisabeth; Flagstad, Øystein & Ergon, Torbjørn (2013). Reproductive biology of arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) under unlimited food resources and competitor exclusion : An experimental enclosure approach.
  • Ergon, Torbjørn (2013). Separating mortality and emigration with robust-design spatial capture-recapture data.
  • Ergon, Torbjørn (2012). Separating mortality and emigration: modelling space use, dispersal and survival with robust-design spatial capture-recapture data.
  • Ergon, Torbjørn (2012). Small rodent cycles and phenotypic plasticity.
  • Ergon, Torbjørn (2012). Variation in life-history, space-use and survival in a cyclic population of voles.
  • Ergon, Torbjørn & Gardner, Beth (2012). Separating mortality and emigration: Modeling space use, dispersal and survival with robust-design spatial capture-recapture data.
  • Ergon, Torbjørn (2011). Førkveld. [TV]. NRK 1.
  • Ergon, Torbjørn & Skaug, Hans Julius (2008). Estimating distributions of correlated individual life-history traits from mark-recapture data.
  • Jonzén, Niclas; Lindén, Andreas; Ergon, Torbjørn; Knudsen, Endre; Vik, Jon Olav & Rubolini, Diego [Show all 17 contributors for this article] (2007). Response to comment on "Rapid advance of spring arrival dates in long-distance migratory birds". Science. ISSN 0036-8075. 315(5812), p. 598–598. doi: 10.1126/science.1136920.
  • Jonzén, Niclas; Ergon, Torbjørn; Lindén, Andreas & Stenseth, Nils Christian (2007). Bird Migration and Climate Change - Introduction. Climate Research (CR). ISSN 0936-577X. 35(1-2), p. 1–3. doi: 10.3354/cr00710.
  • Knudsen, Endre; Ergon, Torbjørn & Stenseth, Nils Christian (2007). Trekkfugler kvitrer om klima. Aftenposten (morgenutg. : trykt utg.). ISSN 0804-3116. p. "Kultur" 4–"Kultur" 4.
  • Ergon, Torbjørn; Yoccoz, Nigel G. & Nichols, James D. (2007). Estimating latent time of maturation and survival costs of reproduction in continuous time from capture-recapture data.
  • Ergon, Torbjørn (2007). Klimaendringer og Norsk natur; Pattedyr og fugler.
  • Ergon, Torbjørn & Stenseth, Nils Christian (2006). Unikt samarbeid mellom forskere og fuglekikkere. [Newspaper]. Uniforum.
  • Ergon, Torbjørn (2006). Bird Migration and Climate Change.
  • Ergon, Torbjørn; Lambin, Xavier; Ergon, Rolf; Fairbairn, Jonathan P.; Graham, Isla M. & MacKinnon, James L. [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2005). DELAYED DENSITY-DEPENDENT ONSET OF SPRING REPRODUCTION IN FIELD VOLES.
  • Krafft, Bjørn Arne; Kovacs, Kit M.; Ergon, Torbjørn; Andersen, Magnus; Aars, Jon & Haug, Tore [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2005). Abundance of ringed seals (Pusa hipida) in the fjords of Spitsbergen, Svalbard, during the peak moulting period.
  • Ergon, Torbjørn; Lambin, Xavier; Speakman, John R. & Stenseth, Nils Christian (2001). Life-history traits and energy expenditure of voles in a fluctuating population respond to the immediate environment.
  • Ergon, Torbjørn; Lambin, Xavier; MacKinnon, James L.; Boonstra, Rudy & Stenseth, Nils Christian (1999). Phase-dependent reproductive traits in spring cohorts of field voles (Microtus agrestis): the importance of environmentally inherited effects in a cyclic population.
  • Molværsmyr, Sindre; Ergon, Torbjørn; Nilsson, Anna & Helberg, Morten (2019). Colony formation and breeding success in the rapidly declining Black-headed Gull. Universitetet i Oslo.
  • Arce Gonzalez, Fernando & Ergon, Torbjørn (2014). Spatiotemporal distribution of a small mammal assemblage at Finse: A methodological perspective. Universitetet i Oslo.
  • Edvardsen, Erik; Røer, Jan Erik; Solvang, Rune; Ergon, Torbjørn; Rafoss, Trond & Klaveness, Geir (2004). Bestandsovervåking ved Standardisert Fangst og Ringmerking ved Fuglestasjonene. Direktoratet for Naturforvaltning.
  • Ergon, Torbjørn H. (1996). On the effects of wound induced plant resistance on Norwegian lemmings (<EM>Lemmus lemmus</EM>) : responses at the individual level and their ecological consequences. [Mangler utgivernavn].

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Published May 26, 2011 9:57 PM - Last modified Feb. 22, 2024 4:01 PM