Brünnich's Guillemot.

for a living planet

The archipelago in the An arctic paradise

The remote Svalbard archipelago in the Barents Sea, which In Hornsund. includes the island of , is one of the most productive ecosystems in the world, and among the most biologically diverse in the Arctic.

Photos: Miriam Geitz Tufted saxifrage valbard, and the seas increasing on Svalbard, glaciers (Saxifraga cespitosa). and sea ice around it, are are shrinking and there is less sea home to polar bears, seals, ice around the archipelago. Swalrus, arctic fox, and Oil and gas exploration is a Svalbard reindeer. Millions of new threat: some 25 percent of the seabirds breed here every summer, world’s unexploited oil and gas and the seas contain some of the reserves lie in the Arctic, some largest fish stocks in the world as in the waters around Svalbard. well as a number of whale species. Depleted reserves elsewhere in Svalbard is also rich in historical the world, coupled with high oil sites from the early days of polar prices mean oil companies now exploration, whaling and mining. see the Arctic as ripe for exploita- However, despite its remote- tion. With development will come wildlife, such as the polar bear. ness, the islands are not immune a growing risk to biodiversity Tourism too can threaten this to environmental threats. from increases in shipping to the fragile enviroment. Cruise tourism Climate change is the greatest potential for oil spills. and day trips by ship have become long-term threat to the Arctic, Illegal fishing is threatening the increasingly popular, and unless and has already begun affecting long-term survival of fish stocks, their impact on the environment Near Alkefjellet. natural ecosystems and traditional while damaging chemicals, used is limited, they will add to the ways of life at an alarming rate. in everyday goods around the existing stresses to these high Air and water temperatures are world, are now turning up in arctic arctic ecosystems. Saving 21° Svalbard’s 27° 33°

Nordenskiöld- bukta treasures 15° K v i t ø y a 80° NORDVEST-SPITSBERGEN NATIONAL PARK NORDAUST-SVALBARD Vestfonna NATURE RESERVE H N i o r d Ma n a u gda l s t National park len o l efjorde a p n n d e e t n s Nature reserve t r Austfonna e t e t Protected site NORDAUST-SVALBARD NATURE RESERVE INDRE WIJDEFJORDEN Bird sanctuary K o n NATIONAL PARK g s f j o r

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i o NATURE RESERVE n d n a r L l Ny-Ålesund a s s l 0 50 100 km n r d K a s b e K t s r g u i e g n p n a n Map adapted from original by Norwegian Polar Institute d S o e r K t

l FORLANDET s O NORDAUST-SVALBARD gl NATURE RESERVE NATIONAL F NORDRE ISFJORDEN a PARK o NATIONAL PARK SASSEN-BÜNSOW LAND s r NATIONAL PARK t l n r a e e d B a r e n t s ø y a n r t o e j d f t s I Grumantbyen 78° n FESTNINGEN PROTECTED SITE e SØRAUST-SVALBARD d NATURE RESERVE

valbard is a refuge for walrus, ringed seals, bearded r Sseals, beluga whales and other marine mammals. NORDENSKIÖLD LAND o NATIONAL PARK e n During the short and productive summer season, they can o r d f j j i j e n E d g e ø y a feed off the bounty of the relatively undis- n M V a f turbed. However, invisible stresses, such as toxic pollu- r tion and climate change, or noise and disturbance from increased shipping traffic or seismic activities from oil o exploration, can affect wildlife. t e n S d o r v f j T j u

SØR-SPITSBERGEN

Photo: Miriam Geitz NATIONAL PARK

d u n r n s H o

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H 74°30’ B j ø r n ø y a NATURE RESERVE BJØRNØYA Walrus (Odobenus NATURE rosmarus). RESERVE Polar bear (Ursus maritimus).

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27° 33°

Nordenskiöld- bukta 15° K v i t ø y a

80° NORDVEST-SPITSBERGEN NATIONAL PARK NORDAUST-SVALBARD Vestfonna NATURE RESERVE H N i o r d Ma n a u gda l s t National park len o l efjorde a p n n d e e t n s Nature reserve t r Austfonna e Photo: Staffan Widstrand, www.staffanwidstand.se Photo: Staffan t e t olar bears are marine mammals and dependent on Protected site NORDAUST-SVALBARD sea ice for food. There are about 3,000 polar bears NATURE RESERVE P INDRE WIJDEFJORDEN in the Barents Sea region, a number that is likely Bird sanctuary K o n NATIONAL PARK to decrease considerably in the next 50 years as the g s f j o r

P d climate warms and melts the sea ice. e n

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i o NATURE RESERVE n d n a r L l Ny-Ålesund a s s l 0 50 100 km n r d K a s b e K t s r g u i e g n p n lant life on Svalbard is much a n d S o e r K Pmore diverse than one might t l assume. Perfectly adapted to harsh FORLANDET s Pyramiden O NORDAUST-SVALBARD gl NATURE RESERVE conditions, delicate plants begin NATIONAL F NORDRE ISFJORDEN a to grow as snow and ice recede PARK o NATIONAL PARK SASSEN-BÜNSOW LAND s and the polar summer brings r NATIONAL PARK t l n r 24 hour-daylight. But survival a e e d B a r e n t s ø y a n r t remains a struggle; vegetation is o e j d f t vulnerable to trampling and other s I Longyearbyen Grumantbyen physical impacts. A warming 78° n FESTNINGEN PROTECTED SITE climate will also bring new Barentsburg e species to Svalbard, and reduce SØRAUST-SVALBARD d the ‘niche’ occupied by existing

NATURE RESERVE Photo: Miriam Geitz r arctic species. NORDENSKIÖLD LAND Sveagruva Svalbard poppy (Papaver dahlianum). o NATIONAL PARK e n o r d f j j i j e n E d g e ø y a n M V a f

r o valbard is the summer feeding and breeding ground for many millions of t Sseabirds. Some species migrate extraordinary distances to take advantage of the e n S d o r richness of waters off Svalbard to breed and raise young. Most common are kitti- v f j T j u wakes, Brünnich’s guillemots, and little auks, but arctic terns (pictured) are also SØR-SPITSBERGEN a familiar sight. A change in the availability of food as a result of warmer ocean NATIONAL PARK temperatures or over fishing, can have devastating effects on bird colonies.

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H 74°30’ HOPEN B j ø r n ø y a NATURE RESERVE BJØRNØYA NATURE Arctic tern (Sterna RESERVE paradisaea). Photo: Miriam Geitz Thre ats

Climate change: The biggest threat facing Svalbard and the Arctic is global climate change. The average tempera- ture in the Arctic is rising at twice the rate of the rest of the world. The Arctic Ocean is projected to be ice-free in summer by the end of this century.

Over fishing: Illegal and unman- aged fishing is a threat to the rich fishing grounds of the Barents Sea and Svalbard. While there is evidence that this activity is common to all parts of the Barents Sea, the situation in the international waters between Svalbard, and Russia is worse; a free-for- all that has the potential to cause enor- mous long-term damage to fish stocks.

Oil and gas development: Oil and gas exploration is increasing in the southern Barents Sea between Svalbard and Norway. A number of licenses for

exploratory drilling around Svalbard Photo: Miriam Geitz have also been applied for but so far denied. However, economic and human activities on the islands. So far, For tourists to be able to come and political interests are driving the quest these activities leave few traces behind. enjoy the unique natural and cultural for ‘black gold’ and Svalbard’s waters For this to remain the case, cruise values that Svalbard has to offer, tour and coastlines remain threatened. With tourism in particular must be conducted operators, tourists, visitors and locals oil and gas exploration comes increased properly in the long run. must minimise their impact. shipping and the risk of oil spills and pollution. Invasive species can also cause damage as they can enter the ecosystem from ships’ ballast water. How can you help? Tourism: Cruises and other tourism activities account for a large part of Think about your impact on the environment:

As a consumer of resources, you can take action by • reducing energy use, eg turning off lights and stand-by functions on elec- n WWF is one of the world’s largest independent trical appliances, and buying energy efficient electrical appliances. conservation organisations, with more than four • switching to green energy companies or to exclusively renewable energy million individual members and projects in about companies, eg buying electricity from alternative sources like wind or 100 countries. The WWF International Arctic biomass. Programme was established to coordinate and • buying fish from certified fisheries, eg The Marine Stewardship Council. run the organisation’s conservation efforts in the arctic region. The Barents Sea and Svalbard are a For more information, visit www.panda.org and www.panda.org/arctic priority area for WWF’s work to address the threats from climate change, over fishing and oil and gas As a tourist in Svalbard, consider the environmental profile of yourcruise or tour operator. For a cruise or day trip, look for: For more information on WWF’s work on Svalbard • activities in small groups because they give you a better experience and and in the Arctic: reduce the risk of damage to vegetation and disturbance to wildlife. • knowledgeable guides because a good guide will teach you about the unique WWF International features of Svalbard and how they can be protected. Arctic Programme • the fuel used for your ship; marine gasoil is less damaging to the environ- P.O. Box 6784 St. Olavs Plass ment than heavy fuel oil if there is an oil spill. N-0130 Oslo, Norway Phone: +47 22 03 65 00 On Svalbard, you can choose to travel with a tour operator organized in the www.panda.org/arctic Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO). This industry-initi- ative works towards good environmental practise by its members, and thus less This publication was made possible through the risk and impact on Svalbard’s environment. AECO has also developed specific generous support by the Norwegian Ministry of visitor guidelines. Justice and the Police.