Morten Helberg

• Dietz, Rune; Fort, Jérôme; Sonne, Christian; Albert, Céline; Bustnes, Jan Ove; Christensen, Thomas Kjær; Ciesielski, Tomasz Maciej; Danielsen, Jóhannis; Dastnai, Sam; Eens, Marcel; Erikstad, Kjell E; Galatius, Anders; Garbus, Svend-Erik; Gilg, Oliver; Hanssen, Sveinn Are; Helander, Björn; Helberg, Morten; Jaspers, Veerle; Jenssen, Bjørn Munro; Jónsson, Jón Einar; Kauhala, Kaarina; Kolbeinsson, Yann; Kyhn, Line A.; Labansen, Aili Lage; Larsen, Martin M.; Lindstrøm, Ulf; Reiertsen, Tone Kristin; Rigét, Frank F.; Roos, Anna; Strand, Jakob; Strøm, Hallvard; Sveegaard, Signe; Søndergaard, Jens; Sun, Jiachen; Teilmann, Jonas; Therkildsen, Ole Roland; Thórarinsson, Thorkell Lindberg; Tjørnløv, Rune Skjold; Wilson, Simon & Eulaers, Igor (2021). A risk assessment of the effects of mercury on Baltic Sea, Greater North Sea and North Atlantic wildlife, fish and bivalves. Environment International.  ISSN 0160-4120.  146(106178) . doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106178 Full text in Research Archive. Show summary

  A wide range of species, including marine mammals, seabirds, birds of prey, fish and bivalves, were investigated for potential population health risks resulting from contemporary (post 2000) mercury (Hg) exposure, using novel risk thresholds based on literature and de novo contamination data. The main geographic focus is on the Baltic Sea, while data from the same species in adjacent waters, such as the Greater North Sea and North Atlantic, were included for comparative purposes. For marine mammals, 23% of the groups, each composing individuals of a specific sex and maturity from the same species in a specific study region, showed Hg-concentrations within the High Risk Category (HRC) and Severe Risk Category (SRC). The corresponding percentages for seabirds, fish and bivalves were 2.7%, 25% and 8.0%, respectively, although fish and bivalves were not represented in the SRC.

• Thorstensen, Helene; Ruus, Anders; Helberg, Morten; Bæk, Kine; Enge, Ellen Katrin & Borgå, Katrine (2020). Common Eider and Herring Gull as Contaminant Indicators of Different Ecological Niches of an Urban Fjord System. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management.  ISSN 1551-3777.  17, s 422- 433 . doi: 10.1002/ieam.4340 Full text in Research Archive. Show summary

  Seabirds like gulls are common indicators in contaminant monitoring. The herring gull (Larus argentatus) is a generalist with a broad range of dietary sources, possibly introducing a weakness in its representativeness of aquatic contamination. To investigate the herring gull as an indicator of contamination in an urban‐influenced fjord, the Norwegian Oslofjord, we compared concentrations of a range of lipophilic and protein‐associated organohalogen contaminants (OHCs), Hg, and dietary markers in blood (n = 15), and eggs (n = 15) between the herring gull and the strict marine‐feeding common eider (Somateria mollissima) in the breeding period of May 2017. Dietary markers showed that the herring gull was less representative of the marine food web than the common eider. We found higher concentrations of lipophilic OHCs (wet weight and lipid weight) and Hg (dry weight) in the blood of common eider (mean ± SE ∑PCB = 210 ± 126 ng/g ww, 60 600 ± 28 300 ng/g lw; mean Hg = 4.94 ± 0.438 ng/g dw) than of the herring gull (mean ± SE ∑PCB = 19.0 ± 15.6 ng/g ww, 1210 ± 1510 ng/g lw; mean Hg = 4.26 ± 0.438 ng/g dw). Eggs gave opposite results; higher wet weight and lipid weight OHC concentrations in the herring gull (mean ± SE ∑PCB = 257 ± 203 ng/g ww, 3240 ± 2610 ng/g lw) than the common eider (mean ± SE ∑PCB = 18.2 ± 20.8 ng/g ww, 101 ± 121 ng/g lw), resulting in higher OHC maternal transfer ratios in gulls than eiders. We suggest that the matrix differences are due to fasting during incubation in the common eider. We suggest that in urban areas, herring gull might not be representative as an indicator of marine contamination but rather urban contaminant exposure. The common eider is a better indicator of marine pollution in the Oslofjord. The results are influenced by the matrix choice, as breeding strategy affects lipid dynamics regarding the transfer of lipids and contaminants to eggs and remobilization of contaminants from lipids to blood during incubation, when blood is drawn from the mother. Our results illustrate the benefit of a multispecies approach for a thorough picture of contaminant status in urban marine ecosystems. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2020;00:1–12. © 2020 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC)

• Nilsson, Anna; Slagsvold, Tore; Røstad, Ole Wiggo; Knudsen, Endre; Jerstad, Kurt; Cadahia, Luis; Reitan, Trond; Helberg, Morten; Walseng, Bjørn & Stenseth, Nils Christian (2019). Territory location and quality, together with climate, affect the timing of breeding in the white-throated dipper. Scientific Reports.  ISSN 2045-2322.  9, s 1- 11 . doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-43792-5 Full text in Research Archive. Show summary

  Recent climate change has led to advanced spring phenology in many temperate regions. The phenological response to variation in the local environment, such as the habitat characteristics of the territories birds occupy, is less clear. The aim of this study is to understand how ecological conditions affect breeding time, and its consequences for reproduction, in a white-throated dipper Cinclus cinclus population in a river system in Norway during 34 years (1978–2011). Hatching date advanced almost nine days, indicating a response to higher temperatures and the advanced phenology in the area. Earlier breeding was found in warm springs and at lower altitudes. High population density facilitated earlier breeding close to the coast. Furthermore, when population density was low, breeding was early at territories that were rarely occupied, while in years with high density, breeding was early at territories that were frequently occupied. Also, when population density was low, earlier breeding occurred at territories that on average produced more offspring than other territories, while there was no difference in breeding time in high population years. Selection for early breeding was dependent on spring temperatures and high spring temperatures contributed to higher breeding success during the study period. We found that breeding phenology may have strong effects on fitness in the white-throated dipper, and thus that breeding time is an important ecological factor in a species that feeds mainly on aquatic rather than terrestrial prey.

• Bustnes, Jan Ove; Moe, Børge; Helberg, Morten & Phillips, Richard A. (2013). Rapid long-distance migration in Norwegian Lesser Black-backed Gulls Larus fuscus fuscus along their eastern flyway. Ibis.  ISSN 0019-1019.  155(2), s 402- 406 . doi: 10.1111/ibi.12022
• Helberg, Morten; Systad, Geir Helge; Birkeland, Ingve; Lorentzen, Nils H. & Bustnes, Jan Ove (2009). Migration patterns of adult and juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gulls Larus fuscus from northern Norway. Ardea.  ISSN 0373-2266.  97(3), s 281- 286
• Bustnes, Jan Ove; Fauchald, Per; Tveraa, Torkild; Helberg, Morten & Skåre, Janneche Utne (2008). The potential impact of environmental variation on the concentrations and ecological effects of pollutants in a marine avian top predator. Environment International.  ISSN 0160-4120.  34, s 193- 201 Show summary

  Concentrations of organochlorine contaminants (OCs) and associations between OCs and fitness components were examined in great blackbacked gulls (Larus marinus) in three colonies along the coast of northern Norway. In one of the colonies, data were collected in two subsequent seasons. Concentrations of four OCs (HCB, oxychlordane, DDE and PCB) were measured in blood (n=260) and fitness components (reproductive variables and adult return rate between breeding seasons) were recorded. In the first year, in two of the colonies, body condition and reproductive performance among the gulls were poor compared to the third colony, suggesting spatial variation in environmental conditions, especially food availability. However, in the third colony, body condition and reproductive performance were even better in the second season; i.e. environmental conditions varied temporally. OC residues were higher in the colonies where environmental conditions were poor, but much of this variation was explained by differences in body condition among colonies. Moreover, concurrent with improved body condition from one season to the next, the concentrations of OCs were halved. In the two colonies where environmental conditions were poor, female OC residues were negatively related to egg-laying date, egg size and nesting success, and in the colony where the concentrations of OC were highest, gulls with elevated DDE residues had low probability of returning between breeding seasons. In comparison, in the colony where environmental conditions were better in the first year, other types of adverse relationships between OCs and fitness components were found; i.e. chicks from females with high OC concentrations were in poor condition at hatching, suggesting maternal transfer of OCs to the eggs, and males with high OC residues had poor nesting success and chick survival, suggesting OC-mediated behavioural changes. With improved environmental conditions and lower OC concentrations in the second season, no significant adverse relationships between OCs and fitness components were found. This study thus suggests that there are complex interrelationships between both concentrations and ecological effects of OCs, and the environment, indicating that effects of OCs in nature may only be assessed after considering environmental variation.

• Bustnes, JO; Kristiansen, Kai-Ove & Helberg, Morten (2007). Immune status, carotenoid coloration, and wing feather growth in relation to organochlorine pollutants in great black-backed gulls. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology.  ISSN 0090-4341.  53 . doi: 10.1007/s00244-005-0269-3
• Bustnes, Jan Ove; Helberg, Morten; Strann, Karl-Birger & Skåre, Janneche Utne (2006). Environmental pollutants in endangered vs. increasing subspecies of the lesser black-backed gull on the Norwegian Coast. Environmental Pollution (1987).  ISSN 0269-7491.  144, s 893- 901
• Kristiansen, Kai-Ove; Bustnes, JO; Folstad, Ivar & Helberg, Morten (2006). Carotenoid coloration in great black-backed gull Larus marinus reflects individual quality. Journal of Avian Biology.  ISSN 0908-8857.  37
• Helberg, Morten; Bustnes, Jan Ove; Erikstad, K. E.; Kristiansen, Kai Ove & Skåre, Janneche Utne (2005). Relationships between reproductive performance and organochlorine contaminants in great black-backed gulls (Larus marinus). Environmental Pollution (1987).  ISSN 0269-7491.  134(3), s 475- 483

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• Svorkmo-Lundberg, Torkild; Bakken, Vidar; Helberg, Morten; Mork, Kjetil; Røer, Jan Erik & Sæbø, Solve (2006). Norsk VinterfuglAtlas : Fuglenes utbredelse, bestandsstørrelse og økologi vinterstid. Norsk Ornitologisk Forening.  ISBN 8278520739.  496 s.
• Svorkmo-Lundberg, Torkild; Bakken, Vidar; Helberg, Morten; Mork, Kjetil; Røer, Jan Erik & Sæbø, Solve (red.) (2006). Norsk VinterfuglAtlas : Fuglenes utbredelse, bestandsstørrelse og økologi vinterstid. Norsk Ornitologisk Forening.  ISBN 978-82-7852-073-4.  496 s.

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• Molværsmyr, Sindre; Follestad, Arne & Helberg, Morten (2021). Fuglebevegelser til Norge med risiko for innføring av fugleinfluensa. Med fokus på måker og gjess. NINA rapport. 1935. Show summary

  Fugleinfluensa, fugletrekk, smittespredning, svartbak, gråmåke, kortnebbgås, grågås, hvitkinngås, tundragås, ringmerking, fargemerking, halsring, - Avian flu, bird migration, spread of infection, great black-backed gull, herring gull, pink-footed goose, greylag goose, barnacle goose, greater white-fronted goose, bird ringing, color ringing, neck bands

• Ruus, Anders; Bæk, Kine; Rundberget, Thomas; Allan, Ian; Beylich, Bjørnar; Vogelsang, Christian; Schlabach, Martin; Götsch, Arntraut; Borgå, Katrine & Helberg, Morten (2020). Environmental Contaminants in an Urban Fjord, 2019. NIVA-rapport. 7555. Full text in Research Archive. Show summary

  This programme, “Environmental Contaminants in an Urban Fjord” has covered sampling and analyses of sediment and organisms in a marine food web of the Inner Oslofjord, in addition to samples of blood and eggs from herring gull. The programme also included inputs of pollutants via surface water (storm water), and effluent water and sludge from a sewage treatment plant. The bioaccumulation potential of the contaminants in the Oslo fjord food web was evaluated. The exposure to/accumulation of the contaminants was also assessed in birds. A vast number of chemical parameters have been quantified, in addition to some biological effect parameters in cod, and the report serves as a status description of the concentrations of these chemicals in different compartments of the Inner Oslofjord marine ecosystem.

• Ruus, Anders; Helberg, Morten; Bæk, Kine; Enge, Ellen Katrin & Borgå, Katrine (2020). Common eider and herring gull as indicators of contaminants in an urban fjord system.
• Ruus, Anders; Helberg, Morten; Knudtzon, Nina Cathrine; Bæk, Kine; Enge, Ellen Katrin & Borgå, Katrine (2020). Emerging and legacy contaminants in two urban herring gull colonies.
• Thorstensen, H. S.; Ruus, Anders; Helberg, Morten; Bæk, Kine; Enge, Ellen Katrin & Borgå, Katrine (2020). Herring gull and common eider as indicators of contaminants in an urban fjord.
• Båtvik, Jan Ingar Iversen & Helberg, Morten (2019, 03. januar). An der Eismeerküste – Norwegens frostiger Norden. [TV].  MareTV. Show summary

  TV-selskapet filmet en del av aktivitetene fra nordområdene også i Vardø og Kiberg havn i Øst-Finnmark. Her fanget Morten Helberg ei krykkje som ble ringmerket og vist fram for en skoleklasse i Vardø. Jan Ingar Båtvik fanget en stellerand i Kiberg for blodprøvetaking og ringmerking og hvor TV-selskapet var og filmet. De fikk en orientering om hva vi holdt på med, litt om stellerand og dens krav til tilværelsen før frislippet av denne.

• Molværsmyr, Sindre; Ergon, Torbjørn; Nilsson, Anna & Helberg, Morten (2019). Colony formation and breeding success in the rapidly declining Black-headed Gull.
• Ruus, Anders; Bæk, Kine; Rundberget, Thomas; Allan, Ian; Beylich, Bjørnar; Schlabach, Martin; Warner, Nicholas Alexander; Borgå, Katrine; Helberg, Morten & Helberg, Morten (2019). Environmental Contaminants in an Urban Fjord, 2018. NIVA-rapport. 7410. Full text in Research Archive. Show summary

  This programme, “Environmental Contaminants in an Urban Fjord” has covered sampling and analyses of sediment and organisms in a marine food web of the Inner Oslofjord, in addition to samples of blood and eggs from herring gull and eider duck. The programme also included inputs of pollutants via surface water (storm water), and effluent water and sludge from a sewage treatment plant. The bioaccumulation potential of the contaminants in the Oslo fjord food web was evaluated. The exposure to/accumulation of the contaminants was also assessed in birds. A vast number of chemical parameters have been quantified, in addition to some biological effect parameters in cod, and the report serves as valuable documentation of the concentrations of these chemicals in different compartments of the Inner Oslofjord marine ecosystem.

• Widerøe, Ina Kirsten Sundal; Rasmussen, Adrian Kristinsønn; Aae, Rune; Braaten, Bjørn Espen Pontus; Båtvik, Jan Ingar Iversen; Halstvedt, Camilla Blikstad; Helberg, Morten; Pilskog, Hanne Eik & Thingnes, Josef (2019). Naturfag i framtidens skole: Inn med teknologi, ut med uteskole?. Utdanningsnytt.no.
• Baggott, Carl David & Helberg, Morten (2018). Breeding ‘Baltic Gulls’ from the Horsvær archipelago in Norway and the occurrence of such birds in Britain. British Birds.  ISSN 0007-0335.  111, s 499- 511
• Ruus, Anders; Bæk, Kine; Petersen, Karina; Allan, Ian; Beylich, Bjørnar; Schlabach, Martin; Warner, Nicholas Alexander; Borgå, Katrine & Helberg, Morten (2018). Environmental Contaminants in an Urban Fjord, 2017. NIVA-rapport. 7368-2019. Full text in Research Archive. Show summary

  This programme, “Environmental Contaminants in an Urban Fjord” has covered sampling and analyses of sediment and organisms in a marine food web of the Inner Oslofjord, in addition to samples of blood and eggs from herring gull and eider duck. The programme also included inputs of pollutants via surface water (storm water), and effluent water and sludge from a sewage treatment plant. The bioaccumulation potential of the contaminants in the Oslo fjord food web was evaluated. The exposure to/accumulation of the contaminants was also assessed in birds. A vast number of chemical parameters have been quantified, in addition to some biological effect parameters in cod, and the report serves as valuable documentation of the concentrations of these chemicals in different compartments of the Inner Oslofjord marine ecosystem.

• Keilen, Ellen Kristine; Borgå, Katrine; Ruus, Anders; Helberg, Morten; Reiertsen, Tone; Warner, Nicholas Alexander & Hylland, Ketil (2017). Levels and effects of environmental contaminants in herring gull (Larus argentatus) from an urban and a rural colony in Norway.
• Ruus, Anders; Bæk, Kine; Petersen, Karina; Allan, Ian; Beylich, Bjørnar; Schlabach, Martin; Warner, Nicholas & Helberg, Morten (2016). Environmental Contaminants in an Urban Fjord, 2015. NIVA-rapport. 7073. Full text in Research Archive. Show summary

  This programme, “Environmental Contaminants in an Urban Fjord” has covered sampling and analysis of sediment and organisms in a marine food web of the Inner Oslofjord, in addition to samples of blood and eggs from herring gull. The programme also included inputs of pollutants via surface water (storm water). The bioaccumulation potential of the contaminants in the Oslo fjord food web was evaluated. The exposure to/accumulation of the contaminants was also assessed in herring gull, as an indicator of an urban fjord inhabitant. A vast number of chemical parameters have been quantified, in addition to some biological effect parameters in cod, and the report serves as valuable documentation of the concentrations of these chemicals in different compartments of the Inner Oslofjord marine ecosystem. Furthermore, this report presents relationships between the contaminant concentrations and various biological variables.

• Ruus, Anders; Allan, Ian; Beylich, Bjørnar; Bæk, Kine; Schlabach, Martin & Helberg, Morten (2015). Environmental Contaminants in an Urban Fjord, 2014. NIVA-rapport. 6884. Full text in Research Archive. Show summary

  This programme, “Environmental Contaminants in an Urban Fjord” has covered sampling and analysis of organisms in a marine food web of the Inner Oslofjord, in addition to samples of sediment, blue mussel and polychaetes at selected locations in the fjord. The programme also included inputs of pollutants via surface water (storm water). Results from other monitoring programmes such as "Contaminants in coastal areas" (MILKYS) and "Riverine inputs and direct discharges to Norwegian coastal waters" (RID), as well as results from other input measurements to the inner Oslofjord, and measurements of contaminants at Bekkelaget sewage treatment plant are referred and placed in context with the results of the present programme. A vast number of chemical parameters have been quantified, and the report serves as valuable documentation of the concentrations of these chemicals in different compartments of the Inner Oslofjord marine ecosystem. Furthermore, this report presents relationships between the contaminant concentrations and various biological variables.

• Helberg, Morten (2015). Do climate have an impact on survival in wintering Gulls?.
• Helberg, Morten (2014, 03. juni). Dramatisk nedgang i måkebestanden - nå skal de finne ut hvorfor. [Internett].
• Ruus, Anders; Allan, Ian; Beylich, Bjørnar; Bæk, Kine; Schlabach, Martin & Helberg, Morten (2014). Environmental Contaminants in an Urban Fjord. NIVA-rapport. 6714. Full text in Research Archive. Show summary

  This programme, “Environmental Contaminants in an Urban Fjord” has covered sampling and analysis of organisms in a marine food web of the Inner Oslofjord, in addition to samples of sediment, blue mussel and polychaetes at selected locations in the fjord. The programme also included inputs of pollutants via surface water (storm water). Results from other monitoring programmes such as "Contaminants in coastal areas" (MILKYS) and "Riverine inputs and direct discharges to Norwegian coastal waters" (RID), as well as results from other input measurements to the inner Oslofjord, and measurements of contaminants at Bekkelaget sewage treatment plant are referred and placed in context with the results of the present programme. A vast number of chemical parameters have been quantified, and the report serves as valuable documentation of the concentrations of these chemicals in different compartments of the Inner Oslofjord marine ecosystem. Furthermore, this report presents relationships between the contaminant concentrations and various biological variables.

• Helberg, Morten (2013). Seabird survival in relation to climate change.
• Breistøl, Arild & Helberg, Morten (2012). Dystre tall for hettemåkebestanden i Norge. Vår Fuglefauna.  ISSN 0332-5601.  35(4), s 150- 157
• Helberg, Morten (2012). Is optimal seabird monitoring scale at colonial, regional or global level? An evaluation of the use of mark-sight-resight methods.
• Helberg, Morten (2011, 23. februar). Bymåkene skal under lupen.  Stavanger Aftenblad.
• Helberg, Morten (2011). Vil forske på urbane måser. Avisa Tromsø.  s 6- 6
• Helberg, Morten; Johnsen, Trond Vidar & Fauchald, Per (2005). Registrering av sjøfugl fra flytokt. Barentshavet øst, 8.februar 2005. NINA rapport. 40. Full text in Research Archive.

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