Norway - eea.europa.eu · Norway . 1 . Land cover 2012. Overview of land cover & change 2006-2012 . The Norwegian landscape is characterized by very low intensity of development,

Country fact sheet

September 2017

Photo: © Toni García, My City/EEA

Land cover 2012

Norway

Norway

1

Land cover 2012 Overview of land cover & change 2006-2012 The Norwegian landscape is characterized by very low intensity of development, which is documented by one of the lowest annual land cover change rates (0.09% of total area), compared to other countries in Europe. This slow pace of land cover exchange was observed already during the previous period and also the internal structure of the land cover development shows similar pattern, compared to the period 2000-2006. The land cover change in the country is driven by, almost exclusively, the internal forest conversions and by artificial land take. While the mean annual rate of internal forest changes is a bit lower, compared to the previous period, the intensity of the artificial sprawl is identical as in the 2000-2006 period. With 0.65% of the initial area, the annual land take rate is one of the highest, considering the situation in other European countries. The sprawl is driven mainly by the development of sport and leisure facilities and by residential development. Considering the structure of the landscape, it is not surprising, that this artificial development is concentrated in the southern part of the country and it consumes mostly forested land. Note: The results presented here are based on a change analysis of 44 land cover types mapped consistently on a 1:100.000 scale across Europe over more than decade between 2000-2006-2012 - see Corine land cover (CLC) programme for details. Number of years between CLC2006-CLC2012 data for Norway: 6

1% 2%3%

35%

15%

33%

7%

4%

1.1. Land cover 2012[% of total]

-10000

-5000

0

5000

10000

1.2. Net change in land cover 2006-2012 [ha]

-1.0

1.0

3.0

1.3. Net change in land cover [% of initial year

2006]

A rtific ial areas A rable land & permanent c rops Pas tures & mosaics Fores ted land

Semi-natural vegetation O pen spaces/ bare soils Wetlands Water bodies

Summary balance table 2006-2012

Art

ific

ial

area

s

Ara

ble

lan

d &

per

man

ent

cro

ps

Pas

ture

s &

mo

saic

s

Fore

sted

lan

d

Sem

i-n

atu

ral

veg

etat

ion

Op

en s

pac

es/

bar

e so

ils

Wet

lan

ds

Wat

er b

od

ies

TO

TA

L

[hu

nd

red

s h

a]

Land cover 2006 2736 5757 11522 114801 47319 106415 21743 13802 324096

Consumption of initial LC 6.0 5.5 5.5 1715.9 9.0 5.1 7.8 0.1 1755

Formation of new LC 110.7 6.7 0.4 1637.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 1755

Net Formation of LC 104.7 1.1 -5.1 -78.9 -9.0 -5.0 -7.8 -0.1 0

Net formation as % of initial year 3.8 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Total turnover of LC 116.7 12.2 5.9 3352.9 9.0 5.3 7.8 0.1 3510

Total turnover as % of initial year 4.3 0.2 0.1 2.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.1

Land cover 2012 2841 5758 11516 114722 47310 106410 21736 13802 324096

Norway

2

Land cover trends comparison 2000-2006 vs. 2006-2012

0.10%

0.09%

0 20000 40000

2000-2006

2006-2012

2.4. Annual land cover change[ha/year, % of total area]

0 30000 60000

Artificial areas

Arable land& permanent crops

Pastures& mosaics

Forested land

Semi-natural vegetation

Open spaces/ bare soils

Wetlands

Water bodies

2.5. Annual turnover of LC types [ha/year]

2000-2006

2006-2012

-2000 0 2000

Artificial areas

Arable land& permanent crops

Pastures& mosaics

Forested land



Wetlands

Water bodies

2.6. Net annual change of LC types [ha/year]

Summary trend figures 2000-2006 2006-2012

Annual land cover change [ha/year] 32223 29248

Annual land cover change as % of initial year 0.10% 0.09%Land uptake by artificial development as mean annual change [ha/year] 1607 1751

Agricultural land uptake by urban and infrastructures development as mean annual change [ha/year] 216 175

Net uptake of forests and semi-natural land by agriculture as mean annual change [ha/year] 74 109

Net conversion from pasture to arable land and permanent crops as mean annual change [ha/year] 0 1

Forest & other woodland net formation as mean annual change [ha/year] -1219 -1314

Dry semi-natural land cover net formation as mean annual change [ha/year] -157 -233

Wetlands & water bodies net formation as mean annual change [ha/year] -90 -131

0

20000

40000

lcf1

Urb

an la

ndm

anag

emen

t

lcf2

Urb

anre

side

ntia

l spr

awl

lcf3

Spr

awl o

fec

onom

ic s

ites

and

infr

astr

uctu

res

lcf4

Agr

icul

ture

inte

rnal

conv

ersi

ons

lcf5

Con

vers

ion

from

for

este

d &

natu

ral l

and

toag

ricu

lture

lcf6

Withd

raw

al o

ffa

rmin

g

lcf7

For

ests

crea

tion

and

man

agem

ent

lcf8

Wat

er b

odie

scr

eation

an

dm

anag

emen

t

lcf9

Cha

nges

due

to n

atur

al a

ndm

ultip

le c

ause

s

2.7. Intensity of main change drivers (LC FLOWS) [ha/year]

2000-2006

2006-2012

Norway

3

Artificial surfaces sprawl (2006-2012)

0.61

% 0.64

%

0

1000

2000

2000-2006 2006-2012

3.8. Artificial land take [ha/year,

% of initial year]

Sprawl of sport and leisure facilities continues

The Norwegian artificial land take rate belongs to the highest among European countries. The intensity of the sprawl as well as its structure is comparable with the previous period. The main drivers of the artificial development are almost identical in both periods – the most intensive sprawl is the extension of the sport and leisure facilities, followed by the diffuse residential sprawl. The intensity of the first one is a bit higher and of the second one a bit lower than in the period 2000-2006. The other significant sprawl types in the country are the sprawl of mines and quarrying areas, industrial and commercial sites, construction and also the extension of transport network, which was insignificant during the previous period. Geographically, the artificial development is scattered over the southern part of the country, which is a similar pattern as in the 2000-2006 period. Former forested land is the main surface type consumed by artificial land take.

85%

8%4% 3%

0.4% const.

3.9. Artificial surfaces 2012 [% of total area]

0 300 600 900 1200

3.10. Artificial land take 2006-2012 [ha/year]

-200

0

200

400

600

800

1000

Con

tinu

ous

urba

n fa

bric

Dis

cont

inuo

us u

rban

fab

ric

Ind

ustr

ial o

r co

mm

erci

alun

its

Roa

d an

d ra

il ne

twor

ks a

ndas

soci

ated

land

Por

t ar

eas

Airpo

rts

Min

eral

ext

ract

ion

site

s

Dum

p si

tes

Con

stru

ctio

n si

tes

Gre

en u

rban

are

as

Spo

rt a

nd le

isur

e fa

cilit

ies

3.11. Mean annual artificial change by class [ha/year]

2000-2006

2006-2012

Norway

4

Agriculture (2006-2012)

Low intensity of agricultural development

With a very low share of agricultural land (only 5% of total area), Norway is a country with only limited agricultural development. The intensity of the internal development of agricultural land in Norway is negligible and the exchange of agricultural land is realized almost exclusively via external conversions between agriculture and other land cover types. The intensive conversion from forested land to agriculture is the main source of agricultural land formation. This flow, which was insignificant in the previous period, is represented mostly by the transition from coniferous forest to arable land. In the opposite flow, agricultural land is consumed by the extension of residential fabric, transportation network and also commercial or industrial areas. The structure of this consumption shows that mainly arable land (50%) and agriculture with natural vegetation (34%) are consumed by artificial land take.

21133%

2312%

2429%

24356%

4.12. Agricultural areas 2012 [% of total area]

-0.1

0%

-0.1

5%

-0.0

9%

-0.0

4%

0.12

%

0.02

%

0.00

%

-800

-400

0

400

800

Non

-irr

igat

ed a

rabl

e la

nd

Per

man

ently

irriga

ted

land

Ric

e fie

lds

Vin

eyar

ds

Fru

it t

rees

and

ber

ry p

lant

atio

ns

Oliv

e gr

oves

Pas

ture

s

Ann

ual/

pe

rman

ent

crop

s

Com

plex

cul

t. p

atte

rns

Agr

icul

ture

with

nat

. ve

g.

Agr

o-fo

rest

ry a

reas

4.13. Development of agricultural areas 2006-2012– detailed balance [ha]

Consumption of initial land cover

Formation of new land cover

211 Non-irrigated arable land

212 Permanently irrigated land

213 Rice fields

221 Vineyards

222 Fruit trees and berry plantations

223 Olive groves

231 Pastures

241 Annual crops associated with permanent crops242 Complex cultivation patterns

243 Agriculture land with significant areas of natural vegetation244 Agro-forestry areas

-80

-60

-40

-20

0

20

Non

-irr

igat

ed a

rabl

e la

nd

Per

man

ently

irriga

ted

land R

ice

field

s

Vin

eyar

ds

Fru

it t

rees

and

ber

ry p

lant

atio

ns

Oliv

e gr

oves

Pas

ture

s

Ann

ual/

per

man

ent

crop

s

Com

plex

cul

t. p

atte

rns

Agr

icul

ture

with

nat

. ve

g.

Agr

o-fo

rest

ry a

reas

4.14. Mean annual agricultural change by class [ha/year]

2000-2006

2006-2012

Norway

5

Forest & nature (2006-2012)

38%

16%35%

7%

4%

5.15. Forest & nature areas 2012

[% of total area]

Forest



Wetlands

Water bodies

Slight slowdown of forest conversions

The forest creation and management is the main driver of the landscape development in Norway. The recent felling and transition is much more frequent than the opposite conversion from the transitional woodland to forest, which is the same situation as in the previous period. However, the intensity of recent felling decreased, in contrast to the conversion from transitional woodland to forest, which intensity is higher than in the period 2000-2006. Beside these internal flows, which occur with slightly lower intensity, compared to the period 2000-2006, the forested and natural land is also consumed by artificial land take, mostly by the creation of new sport and leisure sites. Mainly coniferous forest (52%) is consumed by the sprawl. The result of these flows is the negative net change balance of coniferous forest and positive balance of the transitional woodland and shrub, with prevailing formation (by circa 16% of the initial area, which is significantly lower compared to the previous period with circa 27% formation).

-0.0

8%

-2.2

4%

-0.2

5%

-0.0

2%

-5.1

7%

-0.0

1%

-0.0

4%

-100

.00%

0.01

%

0.56

%

0.03

%

19.6

0%

-200000

-100000

0

100000

Bro

ad-l

eave

d fo

rest

Con

ifero

us for

est

Mix

ed for

est

Nat

ural

gra

ssla

nd

Moo

rs a

nd h

eath

land

Scl

erop

hyllo

us v

eget

atio

n

Tra

nsitio

nal w

oodl

and

shr

ub

Bea

ches

, du

nes,

san

d

Bar

e ro

ck

Spa

rsel

y ve

geta

ted

area

s

Bur

nt a

reas

Gla

cier

s/pe

rp.

snow

Inl

and

mar

shes

Pea

tbog

s

Sal

t m

arsh

es

Sal

ines

Int

ertida

l fla

ts

Wat

er c

ours

es

Wat

er b

odie

s

Coa

stal

lago

ons

Est

uaries

Sea

and

oce

an

5.16. Development of forest & nature areas 2006-2012 – detailed balance [ha]

Consumption of initial land cover

Formation of new land cover

-30000

-10000

10000

30000

Bro

ad-l

eave

d fo

rest

Con

ifero

us for

est

Mix

ed for

est

Nat

ural

gra

ssla

nd

Moo

rs a

nd h

eath

land

Scl

erop

hyllo

us v

eget

atio

n

Tra

nsitio

nal w

oodl

and

shr

ub

Bea

ches

, du

nes,

san

d

Bar

e ro

ck

Spa

rsel

y ve

geta

ted

are

as

Bur

nt a

reas

Gla

cier

s an

d pe

rpet

ual

snow

Inl

and

mar

shes

Pea

tbog

s

Sal

t m

arsh

es

Sal

ines

Int

ertida

l fla

ts

Wat

er c

ours

es

Wat

er b

odie

s

Coa

stal

lago

ons

Est

uaries

Sea

and

oce

an

5.17. Mean annual forest & nature change by class [ha/year]

2000-2006

2006-2012

Norway

6

Annex: Land cover flows and trends Land cover flows 2006-2012

Artif. a. 0,3%

Arable land 0,3%

Pastures0,3%

98%

Semi-nat. 0,5%

Open sp.

0,3%

Wet. 0,4%

6.18. Consumption of land cover2006-2012 [% of total change

area]

6% Arable land 1%

93%

6.19. Formation of land cover 2006-2012 [% of total change

area]

A rtific ial areas A rable land & permanent c rops Pas tures & mosaics Fores ted land

Semi-natural vegetation O pen spaces/ bare soils Wetlands Water bodies

lcf10.3%

lcf21%

lcf35% lcf4

0.003% lcf51%lcf6

0.03%

lcf793%

lcf90.01%

6.20. Drivers of change (LC FLOWS)2006-2012 [% of total change area]

lc f1 U rban land management

lc f2 U rban res idential sprawl

lc f3 Sprawl of economic s ites and infras truc tures

lc f4 A griculture internal convers ions

lc f5 C onvers ion from fores ted & natural land to agriculture

lc f6 Withdrawal of farming

lc f7 Fores ts c reation and management

lc f8 Water bodies c reation and management

lc f9 C hanges due to natural and multiple causes

Norway

7

Artificial areas

Arable land 5%

Pastures & mosaics

5%

Forested land71%

Semi-natural

vegetation8%

Open spaces / bare soils

5%

Wetlands6%

Water bodies0.1%

7.21. Consumption by artificial land take2006-2012 [% of total]

Disc. urban fabric18%

Industrial commer.

9%

Road/rail network

8%

Port areas0.4%Airports

1%Mineral

extraction10%

Dump sites1%

Construct.7%

Sport/leisure45%

7.22. Formation by artificial land take2006-2012 [% of total]

0.61%

0.64%

0 1000 2000

2000-2006

2006-2012

7.23. Net formation of artificial area [ha/year, % of initial year]

-200 0 200 400 600 800

lcf11Urban development/ infilling(cons.)

lcf11Urban development/ infilling(form.)

lcf12 Recycling of developed urbanland (cons.)

lcf12 Recycling of developed urbanland (form.)

lcf13 Development of green urbanareas (cons.)

lcf13 Development of green urbanareas (form.)

lcf21 Urban dense residential sprawl

lcf22 Urban diffuse residential sprawl

lcf31 Sprawl of industrial &commercial sites

lcf32 Sprawl of transport networks

lcf33 Sprawl of harbours

lcf34 Sprawl of airports

lcf35 Sprawl of mines and quarryingareas

lcf36 Sprawl of dumpsites

lcf37 Construction

lcf38 Sprawl of sport and leisurefacilities (cons.)

lcf38 Sprawl of sport and leisurefacilities (form.)

lcf54 Conversion from developedareas to agriculture

lcf72 Forest creation, afforestation

lcf81 Water bodies creation

lcf911 Semi-natural creation

lcf913 Extension of water courses

lcf92 Forests and shrubs fires

lcf93 Coastal erosion

lcf99 Other changes and unknown(cons.)

lcf99 Other changes and unknown(form.)

7.24. Artificial development by change drivers(LC FLOWS) [ha/year]

2000-2006

2006-2012

Norway

8

Agriculture

Broad-leaved forest7%

Coniferous forest77%

Transition.woodland

shrub9%

Peatbogs6%

8.25. LC consumed by agriculture 2006-2012 [% of total]

Non-irrigated arable94%

Complex cultivation patterns

4%

Agriculture with

natural veg.2%

8.26. Formation of agricultural land from non-agriculture 2006-2012 [% of total]


Pastures4%


13%

Agriculture with

natural veg.33%

8.27. Consumption of agricultural landby non-agriculture 2006-2012 [% of total]


Industrial commer.

17%

Road/rail network

23%

Mineral extraction

8%

Construct.7%

Sport/leisure

1%

Transition.woodland

shrub5%

8.28. Formation of non-agricultural landfrom agriculture 2006-2012 [% of total]

-20 20 60 100

Conversion from forest toagriculture

Conversion from dry semi-natural& natural land to agriculture

Conversion from wetlands toagriculture

Withdrawal of farming withwoodland creation

Withdrawal of farming withoutsignificant woodland creation

8.29. Main annual conversions between agriculture and forests & semi-natural land

2006-2012 [ha/year]

-2 -1 0

Extension of pasture, set asideand fallow land

Conversion from pasture to arableand permanent crops

8.30. Mean annual conversion between arable land and pasture [ha/year]

2000-2006

2006-2012

Norway

9

0 1 2

lcf411 Uniform extension ofset aside fallow land and

pasture

lcf412 Diffuse extension of setaside fallow land and pasture

lcf421 Conversion from arableland to permanent irrigation

perimeters

lcf422 Other internalconversions of arable land

lcf431 Conversion from olivesgroves to vineyards and

orchards

lcf432 Conversion fromvineyards and orchards to

olive groves

lcf433 Other conversionsbetween vineyards and

orchards

lcf441 Conversion frompermanent crops topermanent irrigation

perimeters

lcf442 Conversion fromvineyards and orchards tonon-irrigated arable land

lcf443 Conversion from olivegroves to non-irrigated arable

land

lcf444 Diffuse conversionfrom permanent crops to

arable land

lcf451 Conversion from arableland to vineyards and

orchards

lcf452 Conversion from arableland to olive groves

lcf453 Diffuse conversionfrom arable land topermanent crops

lcf461 Conversion frompasture to permanentirrigation perimeters

lcf462 Intensive conversionfrom pasture to non-irrigatedarable land and permanent

crops

lcf463 Diffuse conversionfrom pasture to arable and

permanent crops

lcf47 Extension of agro-forestry

9.31. Mean annual agriculture internalconversions [ha/year]

2000-2006

2006-2012

-150 -100 -50 0 50 100

lcf13 Development of green urbanareas

lcf2 Urban residential sprawl

lcf3 Sprawl of economic sites andinfrastructures

lcf511 Intensive conversion from forestto agriculture

lcf512 Diffuse conversion from forestto agriculture

lcf521 Intensive conversion from semi-natural land to agriculture

lcf522 Diffuse conversion from semi-natural land to agriculture

lcf523 Conversions from agriculture-nature mosaics to continuousagriculture (cont. agri. cons.)

lcf523 Conversions from agriculture-nature mosaics to continuousagriculture (cont. agri. form.)

lcf53 Conversion from wetlands toagriculture

lcf54 Conversion from developed areasto agriculture

lcf61 Withdrawal of farming withwoodland creation

lcf62 Withdrawal of farming withoutsignificant woodland creation


lcf913 Extension of water courses

lcf92 Forests and shrubs fires

lcf93 Coastal erosion

lcf99 Other changes and unknown(agri. cons.)

lcf99 Other changes and unknown(agri. form.)

9.32. Mean annual conversions between agricultureand other LC types [ha/year]

2000 - 2006

2006 - 2012

Norway

10

Forest & nature

Mineral extraction

34%

Construct.8%

Green urban1%


Agriculture with

natural veg.47%

10.33. LC consumed by forest & nature2006-2012 [% of total]

Transit. woodland/s

hrub99%

Water courses

1%

10.34. Formation of forest & nature land from non-forest /nature 2006-2012

[% of total]


Coniferous forest51%

Mixed forest4%

Moors and heathland

8%

Transition.woodland

shrub7%

Sparsely vegetated

areas5%

Peatbogs7%

Sea and ocean0.1%

10.35. Consumption of forest & nature landby non-forest/nature 2006-2012 [% of

total]


Industrial/commer.

7%Road/rail network

6%Port areas

0.4%

Airports1%

Mineral extraction

9%Dump sites1%

Construct.7%

Sport/leisure47%

Non-irrigated arable

6%


0.2%

Agriculture with

natural veg.0,2%

10.36. Formation of non-forest/nature landfrom forest & nature 2006-2012 [% of total]


Conifer. forest51%

Mixed forest4%

Transit. woodland

shrub6%

10.37. Forested land 2012 [% of total area]

0 10000 20000 30000

Consumption of forest land byurban sprawl

Conversion from forest toagriculture

Recent fellings and transitions

Withdrawal of farming withwoodland creation

Forest creation, afforestation

Conversion from transitionalwoodland to forests

Forest creation over wetlands

10.38. Main trends in woodland & forests consumption/formation 2006-2012

[ha/year]

Norway

11

Natural grassland

0.01%Moors and

heath.31%

Beaches, dunes

and sand plains0.01%

Bare rock14%

Sparsely veget. areas53%

Burnt areas0.01%

Glaciers and

perpetual snow2%

11.39. Dry semi-natural areas 2012 [% of total area]

0 100 200 300

Consumption of dry semi-naturalland cover by urban sprawl

Conversion of semi-natural landcover to agriculture

Forest creation, afforestation overdry semi-natural land

Withdrawal of farming withoutwoodland creation

Decrease of permanent snow andglaciers

11.40. Main trends in dry semi-natural land consumption/formation 2006-2012

[ha/year]

Inland marshes0.01%

Peatbogs60%

Intertidal flats1%

Water courses

1%

Water bodies38%

Estuaries0.002%

11.41. Wetlands & water 2012[% of total area]

-150 -100 -50 0 50 100

Consumption of wetlands byurban sprawl

Conversion of wetlands toagriculture

Forest creation and afforestationover wetlands

Withdrawal of farming withoutwoodland creation

Net water bodies creation

Net wetlands creation

11.42. Main trends in wetlands & water consumption/formation 2006-2012

[ha/year]

-30000 -10000 10000 30000

lcf13 Development of green urban areas


lcf3 Sprawl of economic sites and infrastructures

lcf511 Intensive conversion from forest to agriculture

lcf512 Diffuse conversion from forest to agriculture

lcf61 Withdrawal of farming with woodland creation

lcf71 Conversion from transitional woodland to forest (cons.)

lcf71 Conversion from transitional woodland to forest (form.)


lcf73 Forests internal conversions (cons.)

lcf73 Forests internal conversions (form.)

lcf74 Recent felling and transition (cons.)

lcf74 Recent felling and transition (form.)

lcf8 Water bodies creation and management

lcf9 Changes of land cover due to natural and multiple causes (cons.)

lcf9 Changes of land cover due to natural and multiple causes (form.)

11.43. Mean annual conversions of forest & other woodland[ha/year]

2000-2006

2006-2012

Norway

12

-200 -100 0 100




lcf521 Intensive conversion from semi-natural land to agriculture

lcf522 Diffuse conversion from semi-natural land to agriculture

lcf523 Conversions from agriculture-nature mosaics to continuous…

lcf62 Withdrawal of farming without significant woodland creation


lcf74 Recent felling and transition

lcf8 Water bodies creation and management

lcf82 Water bodies management

lcf911 Semi-natural creation (form.)

lcf912 Semi-natural rotation (cons.)

lcf912 Semi-natural rotation (form.)

lcf913 Extension of water courses (cons.)

lcf92 Forests and shrubs fires (cons.)

lcf92 Forests and shrubs fires (form.)

lcf93 Coastal erosion (cons.)

lcf94 Decrease in permanent snow and glaciers cover (cons.)

lcf94 Decrease in permanent snow and glaciers cover (form.)

lcf99 Other changes and unknown (cons.)

lcf99 Other changes and unknown (form.)

12.44. Mean annual conversions of dry semi-natural LC [ha/year]

2000-2006

2006-2012

-120 -100 -80 -60 -40 -20 0 20




lcf53 Conversion from wetlands to agriculture

lcf62 Withdrawal of farming without significant woodland creation


lcf8 Water bodies creation and management (cons.)


lcf9 Changes of land cover due to natural and multiple causes (other thanLCF91)

lcf9 Changes of land cover due to natural and multiple causes (other thanLCF912)

lcf911 Semi-natural creation (form.)

lcf912 Semi-natural rotation (cons.)

lcf912 Semi-natural rotation (form.)

lcf913 Extension of water courses (form.)

12.45. Mean annual conversions of wetlands and water LC [ha/year]

2000-2006

2006-2012

Norway

13

CLC Changes 2006-2012

CLC Changes 2000-2006

Norway

14

Drivers of change 2006-2012

Drivers of change 2000-2006

Norway

15

Artificial sprawl 2006-2012

Artificial sprawl 2000-2006

Norway

16

Agriculture 2006-2012

Agriculture 2000-2006

Norway

17

Forest and nature 2006-2012

Forest and nature 2000-2006

Norway - eea.europa.eu · Norway . 1 . Land cover 2012. Overview of land cover & change 2006-2012 . The Norwegian landscape is characterized by very low intensity of development,

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