Category: Former Projects

Here you will find copy of UNISprout-projects which are no longer available.

Svalbard Reindeer Project: The effect of autumn warming on onset and rate of senescence of Svalbard reindeer forage plants – an experimental approach

The tundra ecosystem in Svalbard is characterized by some of the fastest environmental shifts resulting from climate change. In recent years, increases in biomass of vegetation available for Svalbard reindeer has been correlated with increased temperatures in summer, which may mean more food for Svalbard reindeer. Although increases in early-season production of vegetation with increasing temperatures is well documented, the effects of late-season warming on senescence of key forage for Svalbard reindeer (i.e., the duration of availability of nutritious food) is still unknown. We aim to evaluate how key forage for Svalbard reindeer respond to gradients of heating in the late summer and throughout the growing season.… Read more →

Svalbard Reindeer Project: The effects of drying and wetting of habitats on senescence of key forage species for Svalbard reindeer – a field experiment

As soil moisture regimes shift with climate change, so may the vegetation communities wildlife of Svalbard rely on. Yet, little is known about how plants of specific habitats respond to changes in soil moisture—especially shifts in moisture later in the growing season—and it is possible some species may be able to adapt to shifts in moisture while others may not. We aim to evaluate how plant species in key habitats used by Svalbard reindeer respond to changes in moisture regimes in the late summer and early autumn.… Read more →

Monitoring of microscopic sympagic (“ice-associated”) communities in Svalbard fjords

Sea ice was a once prevalent feature of the Arctic, but we are in a time of change. Svalbard is one of the most rapidly changing Arctic regions, with fjordic systems changing from an Arctic to an Atlantic state. Alongside this change, is the either lack or unpredictable formation of sea ice. Not only an important habitat for charismatic marine mammals, such as polar bears, sea ice is a whole ecosystem itself. Living within the tiny (<1mm) channels inside of sea ice, a diverse community consisting of viruses, bacteria, ice algae and metazoans can be found. … Read more →

Using autonomous remote technology and in-situ sampling to study spatial and temporal shifts in Arctic fjord biodiversity caused by climate changes

Climate change in Arctic coastal systems leads to declining sea-ice and sea-terminating glaciers, and these changes are expected to modify biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in the littoral fjord areas in Svalbard. In addition, influx of Atlantic water and invasive species, which may compete with and displace Arctic species, may change community composition and spatial distribution.… Read more →

Setup of a warming and moss removal experiment monitoring effect of vegetation on active layer depth

In high-arctic tundra, vegetation is facing severe challenges due to climate-change-induced warming, shifts in seasonality and potentially increased herbivore pressure. We expect shifts in vegetation from moss-dominated to vascular plant-dominated communities, as well as species shifts within these groups. While mosses are a major component of high Arctic vegetation that is subject to climate-induced change,… Read more →

Seasonal energetics in Polar cod

What are the seasonal changes in the energetic value of macrozooplankton and fish in the Barents Sea? How might these changes affect an organism’s susceptibility to stress? Project description: The Arctic, and in particular the Barents Sea, is experiencing the effects of climate change more intensely than anywhere else on the planet, as well as… Read more →

Developing a Digital Taxonomic Key for Svalbard’s Flora

Testing & improving the first (bèta) versions of the ArtsApp key for Vascular plants in Svalbard Project description: BioCEED is developing ArtsApp, a digital taxonomic key which is mostly used through a phone application. At the moment, a key for all of Svalbard’s vascular plants is in the making. This key is different from most… Read more →