Morten Helberg

• 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
• 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
• Swenson, Jon E.; Svorkmo-Lundberg, Torkild; Bakken, Vidar; Helberg, Morten; Mork, K.; Røer, Jan Erik & Sæbø, Solve (2006). Jerpe Bonasa bonasia Hazel grouse, I:  Norsk vinterfuglAtlas, fulgenes utbredelse, bestandsstørrelse og økologi.  Norsk Ornitologisk Forening.  faglig_bok_forlag.  s 106 - 107
• 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.

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• 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.

• Rasmussen, Adrian Kristinsønn; Aae, Rune; Braaten, Bjørn Espen Pontus; Båtvik, Jan Ingar Iversen; Halstvedt, Camilla Blikstad; Helberg, Morten; Pilskog, Hanne Eik; Thingnes, Josef & Widerøe, Ina Kirsten Sundal (2019). Naturfag i framtidens skole: Inn med teknologi, ut med uteskole?. Utdanningsnytt.no.
• 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.

• 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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